Absolutely, Positively Alexander [Hardcover]

Judith Viorst (Author), Ray Cruz (Illustrator), Robin Preiss Glasser (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 1997 | Age Level: 5 and up | Series: Alexander

First published in 1972, Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day introduced to the world a feisty young hero who soon captured the hearts of a generation. Since then Alexander has returned in Alexander, Who Used to Be Rich Last Sunday and Alexander, Who's Not (Do you hear me? I mean it!) Going to move, and his position as a classic character in children's literature is assured. Alexander is everyone's favorite boy, struggling against those obstacles that seem to get in the way of growing up, with the most formidable ones being his siblings. Here, all three Alexander stories are combined in one book -- a perfect way for Alexander to be introduced to a whole new generation of certain fans.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day was first published in 1972, catapulting a lovable, if peevish, young hero into the world of children's literature. Since then, Judith Viorst--mother of three boys, one of whom is named Alexander--has created two more Alexander books, Alexander, Who Used to Be Rich Last Sunday and Alexander, Who's Not (Do You Hear Me? I Mean It!) Going to Move.

This wonderful Alexander-fest features the complete tales, illustrated by Ray Cruz and Robin Preiss Glasser, much to the delight of fans who want to introduce Alexander to the uninitiated. Viorst says that she has been writing always--"or at least since I was seven or eight, when I composed an ode to my dead parents, both of whom were alive and well and, when they read my poem, extremely annoyed." If you've ever gone to sleep with gum in your mouth or dropped your sweater in the sink while the water was running, you'll be able to relate to Alexander, and so will your favorite kids. (Ages 4 to 8)

About the Author

Judith Viorst was born and brought up in New Jersey, graduated from Rutgers University, moved to Greenwich Village, and has lived in Washington, D.C., since 1960, when she married Milton Viorst, a political writer. They have three sons and seven grandchildren. Viorst writes in many different areas: science books, children's picture books, adult fiction and non-fiction, poetry for children and adults, and three musicals, which are still performed on stages around the country. She is best known for her beloved picture book, Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day.

Robin Preiss Glasser is the number one New York Times bestselling illustrator of the Fancy Nancy series, written by Jane O'Connor; America: A Patriotic Primer, A is for Abigail, and Our Fifty States by Lynne Cheney and most recently Tea for Ruby by Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York. She lives in Southern California with her family.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Hardcover: 96 pages
• Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers; 1st edition (October 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0689817738
• ISBN-13: 978-0689817731
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 10.3 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #148,332 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Judith Viorst has written many books for children, including the classics Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day and its sequels, and If I Were in Charge of the World and Other Stories. She is also the author of Just in Case, illustrated by Diana Cain Bluthenthal. She lives with her husband, Milton, in Washington D.C.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

38 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars You may as well get the whole set in one book!, August 3, 2000

By 

Quaker Annie "reader" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Absolutely, Positively Alexander (Hardcover)

Judith Viorst, well known adult author and the mother of sons, uses real life frustrations for this humorous (because its so true) story line, featuring Alexander, the youngest brother in a a family with three boys.

The first book is the best - Alexander has the worst days ever in "Alexander and the Horrible No Good Very Bad Day" (the best of the stories). In "Alexander Who Used to Be Rich," he fantasizes about all you do with a dollar, while in the third book, he resists (as most kids do) the family's need to move far away.

My own sons have enjoyed these books - starting in 1972 and into the present. The stories are not dated, as any parent of a child like Alexander can tell you - every untied shoelace is a major tragedy, a move around the corner can be traumatic and 'unfair,' and a dollar can buy you just about anything when you're in that wonderful 4 to 8 year old time of life.

Parents reading the book will see the humor. Children hearing the words will feel as though they are being understood.

As kids grow up (8 to 9 is about the end of the line for this series) they'll begin to see the humor in Alexander's thoughts.

Well written, with illustrations that are well above average, these books are a wonderful addition to any family library. And as long as you are going to get one, you may as well get all three and save yourself time and money!

34 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Entertaining for young readers (and their parents!), September 8, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Absolutely, Positively Alexander (Hardcover)

My wife and I secured "Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day" at a book fair at school. Our two boys loved listening to it. We read it often enough that we only had to pause for a moment to have the boys (in unison) insert the title phrase. We then obtained the other two titles contained in this book. We read them so much, we wore out the paperback bindings, so I bought the hard cover collection. The narratives, written in first persion tense, would also make excellent speaking parts for those school talent shows. The stories are simple, yet entertaining. Having two boys, I see a little of Alexander in each of them.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great children's series finally all in one place, March 29, 1998

By 

[e-mail] (Claremont, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Absolutely, Positively Alexander (Hardcover)

Though I'm twenty now, I still appreciated Viorst's view of the world through Alexander. When I was younger, I wanted to be him. But now, with a few years, I see that Alexander is more a lesson than a model. These stories are great for kids under age five, and I promise they'll remember them for a great while...even to the point where they walk into the young readers section at age eighteen looking for a copy.