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Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day [Paperback]

Judith Viorst (Author), Ray Cruz (Illustrator)

(255 customer reviews) |

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Book Description

Publication Date: July 15, 1987 | Age Level: 6 and up

Alexander knew it was going to be a terrible day when he woke up with gum in this hair.

And it got worse...

His best friend deserted him. There was no dessert in his lunch bag. And, on top of all that, there were lima beans for dinner and kissing on TV!

This handsome new edition of Judith Viorst's classic picture book is sure to charm readers of all ages.

#outer_postBodyPS { display: none; } #psGradient { display: none; } #psPlaceHolder { display: none; } #psExpand { display: none; } Alexander knew it was going to be a terrible day when he woke up with gum in this hair.

And it got worse...

His best friend deserted him. There was no dessert in his lunch bag. And, on top of all that, there were lima beans for dinner and kissing on TV!

This handsome new edition of Judith Viorst's classic picture book is sure to charm readers of all ages.

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

"I went to sleep with gum in my mouth and now there's gum in my hair and when I got out of bed this morning I tripped on the skateboard and by mistake I dropped my sweater in the sink while the water was running and I could tell it was going to be a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day."

So begin the trials and tribulations of the irascible Alexander, who has been earning the sympathy of readers since 1972. People of all ages have terrible, horrible days, and Alexander offers us the cranky commiseration we crave as well as a reminder that things may not be all that bad. As Alexander's day progresses, he faces a barrage of bummers worthy of a country- western song: getting smushed in the middle seat of the car, a dessertless lunch sack, a cavity at the dentist's office, stripeless sneakers, witnessing kissing on television, and being forced to sleep in railroad-train pajamas. He resolves several times to move to Australia.

Judith Viorst flawlessly and humorously captures a child's testy temperament, rendering Alexander sympathetic rather than whiny. Our hero's gum-styled hair and peevish countenance are artfully depicted by Ray Cruz's illustrations. An ALA Notable Book, Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day is a great antidote to bad days everywhere, sure to put a smile on even the crabbiest of faces. (Ages 5 to 9) --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From Publishers Weekly

Objecting loudly to his family's plans to relocate, the hero of Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day "makes a gratifying return," said PW. Ages 5-8.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

Reading level: Ages 6 and up
Paperback: 32 pages
Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers; Second Aladdin Books Edition edition (July 15, 1987)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0689711735
ISBN-13: 978-0689711732
Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 9.7 x 0.1 inches
Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (255 customer reviews)
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,229 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #1 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > History & Historical Fiction > Ancient
- #8 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > People & Places > Social Situations > Emotions & Feelings
- #25 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > Literature > Humorous

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More About the Author

› Visit Amazon's Judith Viorst Page

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

4.4 out of 5 stars

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

98 of 103 people found the following review helpful

People of all ages can relate! May 11, 2005

By Jessica Lux

Format:Paperback

I first had this book read to me as a child, and it stuck with me throughout life. I would always remember that anyone can have a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day (even in Australia). In fact, sometimes I still tell people that I am having a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day, and it someone flickers with recognition, then all is well in the world!

Contrary to what some reviewers say, this is not a depressing book. It's one to keep on the shelf and re-read any day things aren't going right. It has a wonderful message and is beautifully illustrated.

This is a timeless classic. Adults and children will enjoy the experience.

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50 of 50 people found the following review helpful

Why I read this book to my boys October 9, 2004

By MomOf3YoungMen&aLittleLady

Format:Paperback

The reviewers who criticize the main character's negative tone or run-on sentences, or the lack of a cutesy, make-it-all-better ending, are missing the point of this story. The "voice" of the book is precisely why we love it so much.

Alexander is a real boy--warts and all. When real kids are upset, they pour it all out in a rapid stream of words (and to heck with grammar!)--and of course, everything feels like the end of the world to them at that moment. Judith Viorst captures that very well.

We can relate because Alexander's life is like real life--lots of seemingly minor stressors can add up to one really rotten day; and because it isn't just one problem, there isn't a neat, tidy resolution at the end. In fact, in and of themselves, none of these things are really "problems"--just stuff you have to put up with sometimes. But when it all hits at once, it feels awful.

I think we've all had days like Alexander's: the alarm doesn't go off so you run out of the house late and with "bad hair," you spill coffee on your white blouse (or new tie) just before the big meeting with the boss, you snag your nylons (or lose a button), the pop machine in the breakroom eats your money, you end up having to work overtime, so when you get out to the car you find a parking ticket because you forgot to feed the meter, and then at home, dinner burns on the stove and the kids are fighting! So at the end of it all you collapse in a heap and momentarily consider running away--FAR away. Maybe even Australia! And (adding insult to injury) nobody else seems to care or empathize, because all of these things are just little petty annoyances. It's easy to forget that when one little thing hits you (like a pebble), it's nothing; but when a LOT of things (or pebbles) hit you, it's an avalanche!

On those days, there isn't much you can do but fall into bed and pray that tomorrow will be better--and that you'll laugh about it all later, too.

When an adult reads Alexander's story to a child, the adult can point out that none of the things happening to Alexander are really all that bad--things could definitely be worse; the child can suggest ways that Alexander might have been able to turn his day around; and, most of all, it's good to point out that, despite how grumpy he feels, Alexander still follows the rules and obeys directions (he puts on the jammies even though he hates them, etc.) and doesn't have a "meltdown" or a temper tantrum over it all (though he DOES get a little sour-faced and moody, and that can be talked about as well.)

When one of my kids is having a bad day, I'll often be able to lighten his mood by saying, "Are you having a terrible . . . HORRIBLE . . . . NOGOODVERYBADDAY??" (At my house, you have to start out slow and then get louder and faster--it always gets a laugh.) It also cheers up my sons to compare their plight to Alexander's--and find they are grateful that at least they didn't have to wear ugly jammies or eat lima beans for dinner that day.

There are other books we love more on good days--like "Where the Wild Things Are," or "Green Eggs & Ham." But on a NO-GOOD-VERY-BAD-DAY, this is the one we read--and it always makes us smile.

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62 of 65 people found the following review helpful

Marvelous, Wonderful, No Fault, Very Good Book! January 30, 2000

By katsteere@mailcity.com

Format:Paperback

Though I wouldn't necessarily admit this to anyone over about 3 feet tall, I must say this is my all time favorite book bar none. I read it as a child and found myself instantly relating to Alexander and distinctly remember feeling pleased that someone...anyone...else had the capacity to blow a day full of minor irratations out of proportion so dramatically. Now, as a preschool teacher I love it yet more because not only do the children have terrible, horrible, no good, very bad days, but when they do, so too do I. I find myself reading the book out loud with so much drama and emphasis that it is emensely cathartic for all of us! I adore this book and firmly believe that every human on the planet would benefit from dramatic readings of it from time to time.

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Most Recent Customer Reviews

A Very Modern Story

We all have our bad days, which can happen out of nowhere. Your bad day may include a stubbed toe, no more milk for your breakfast, or being caught in an embarassing problem. Read more

Published 6 days ago by VCanete

The Most Negative Book EVER!!! TERRIBLE HORRIBLE NO GOOD VERY BAD...

This book is the most negative book we have read.
My aunt sent it to for my son's second birthday. The good news is that I didn't waste my money on it. Read more

Published 1 month ago by Tina

sweet humor

well illustrated. sweet humor. a nice cheer you up for a child (OR adult) having a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day. Read more

Published 2 months ago by Evelena Dill Webb

Disappointed

I bought this book as a gift for my nephew , Alexander. After reading it I decided not to give it to him. Read more

Published 2 months ago by sharon swiatkowski

Awesome Book

Great book for kids! They can really identify with Alexander! Our library club even read the book and discussed with the kids, it was great. Read more

Published 2 months ago by Puddles

My children loved it

My children really enjoyed this CD. They knew some of the stories and it was wonderful during a long car ride.

Published 3 months ago by Veronica M

It's cute but, not a good example for children or anyone

We all have days like this, but this little boy has the worst attitude throughout the story. It shows kids exactly how not to behave. Read more

Published 3 months ago by Vanessa C Lee

Favorite kids book

This is the kind of book that helps kids realize they are not the only ones who don't always have a good day.
My children loved it, and now I'm giving to my grandkids. Read more

Published 3 months ago by Kathy L.

Great!

A classic! It was a great book when I was young and it still is today. We bought it new so of course it was in great condition when we received it. Read more

Published 4 months ago by khackney

Memory's

I remember reading this book as a child, feeling relief that at least one other person has bad days like I did. I just had to buy one for my boy now that he is in school. Read more

Published 5 months ago by Trisha

Front Cover | First Pages | Back Cover | Surprise Me!

Inside This Book (learn more)

First Sentence:
I went to sleep with gum in my mouth and now there's gum in my hair and when I got out of bed this morning I tripped on the skateboard and by mistake I dropped my sweater in the sink while the water was running and I could tell it was going to be a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day. Read the first page

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Front Cover | First Pages | Back Cover | Surprise Me!

Citations (learn more)

100 books cite this book:

The 20th-Century Children's Book Treasury: Picture Books and Stories to Read Aloud by Janet Schulman on 6 pages
Memorable Characters. . . Magnificent Stories: 10 Mini-Lessons on Crafting Lively Characters-the Key to Great Student Story Writing by Susie Garber on page 43, page 46, and Back Matter
Reading is not a Spectator Sport by Mary H. Pelton on page 57, page 71, and Back Matter
How to Make Your Child a Reader for Life by Paul Kropp on page 120, page 131, and page 134
Early Communication Skills for Children With Down Syndrome: A Guide for Parents and Professionals by Libby Kumin on page 156, page 180, and Back Matter

See all 100 books citing this book

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