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Judith Viorst
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Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day Hardcover – Picture Book, June 1, 1972

by Judith Viorst (Author), Ray Cruz (Illustrator)
4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 7,183 ratings
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A Latino-centric movie adaptation is coming soon to Disney+!

From children’s book legend Judith Viorst comes the perennially popular tale of Alexander’s worst day. Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day is a story that belongs on every child’s bookshelf.

Alexander could tell it was going to be a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day. He went to sleep with gum in his mouth and woke up with gum in his hair. When he got out of bed, he tripped over his skateboard and by mistake dropped his sweater in the sink while the water was running. He could tell it was going to be a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day.

It was a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day. Nothing at all was right. Everything went wrong, right down to lima beans for supper and kissing on TV.

What do you do on a day like that? Well, you may think about going to Australia. You may also be glad to find that some days are like that for other people too.
Previous page
  1. Reading age
    3+ years, from customers
  2. Print length
    32 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Grade level
    1 - 4
  5. Lexile measure
    AD840L
  6. Dimensions
    10 x 0.4 x 7.5 inches
  7. Publisher
    Atheneum Books for Young Readers
  8. Publication date
    June 1, 1972
  9. ISBN-10
    9780689300721
  10. ISBN-13
    978-0689300721
  11. See all details
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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)

From the Publisher

He could tell it was going to be a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day. He went to sleep with gum in his mouth and woke up with gum in his hair. When he got out of bed, he tripped over his skateboard and by mistake dropped his sweater in the sink while the water was running. He could tell it was going to be a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day. It was a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day. Nothing at all was right. Everything went wrong, right down to lima beans for supper and kissing on TV. What do you do on a day like that? Well, you may think about going to Australia. You may also be glad to find that some days are like that for other people too. END

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ 0689300727
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Atheneum Books for Young Readers (June 1, 1972)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 32 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 9780689300721
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0689300721
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 3+ years, from customers
  • Lexile measure ‏ : ‎ AD840L
  • Grade level ‏ : ‎ 1 - 4
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 11.9 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 10 x 0.4 x 7.5 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 7,183 ratings

About the author

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Judith Viorst

Judith Viorst

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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

4.8 out of 5 stars
4.8 out of 5
7,183 global ratings
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5 Stars
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Paperback book, arrived fast and in good shape. Such a great story to share with the little ones.
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Top reviews from the United States

Rejane
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book for children (and adults)
Reviewed in the United States on February 15, 2024
Verified Purchase
Great lesson in learning that life is not perfect, no matter your expectations or age.
I purchased that book when my children were young. I used it when my grandchildren were growing up. Now I often give a copy of it as baby gifts
2 people found this helpful
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dcb
5.0 out of 5 stars Great Story for Emotional Understanding
Reviewed in the United States on March 29, 2024
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Everybody is cranky at times and there is usually a reason. This is a good book for exploring emotions.
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rene hernandez
5.0 out of 5 stars Child
Reviewed in the United States on May 5, 2024
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This book is wonderful.
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KMedG
5.0 out of 5 stars Everyone feels like Alexander sometimes
Reviewed in the United States on March 2, 2024
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This was one of my favorites as a kid, so obviously I bought it for my kids as soon as they were old enough. Both my 6 year old and (to my surprise) 2 year old love this book. Sometimes we all need to feel a little company in our misery. And also be reminded that sometimes we can easily dig ourselves deeper into a hole with our attitude, perspective and responses to what we are confronted with. When my son comes home in a huff, I ask him if he’s having an Alexander day, why, and what we might do turn it around. It’s a classic that will never lose its relevance.
4 people found this helpful
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Angel
5.0 out of 5 stars Adorable Story
Reviewed in the United States on March 27, 2024
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This book can help a child to understand that there are little hassles every single day, and to be accepting. This is a good book, because everything isn't sugar coated. Some days really are better than others, and even young children can understand that.
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Pip James
4.0 out of 5 stars Bad day book
Reviewed in the United States on June 1, 2023
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I really like this book. Unfortunately it is not so suitable for non American kids. Some of the references are to American things which are meaningless to Aussie kids.
4 people found this helpful
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Lady Sarah W
5.0 out of 5 stars Wonferful
Reviewed in the United States on March 31, 2024
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Alexander is a wonderful bit of wisdom...for adults as well as children.
One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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JamJam
5.0 out of 5 stars Great bedtime story!
Reviewed in Canada on October 9, 2023
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Fun book to read at bedtime! It’s a nice change from the usual storylines
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Fabio
5.0 out of 5 stars Material de qualidade - entrega no prazo.
Reviewed in Brazil on June 20, 2022
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Material de qualidade - entrega no prazo.
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R.T.
5.0 out of 5 stars Regalo
Reviewed in Italy on July 14, 2021
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L'ho comprato per conto di mio nipote non sono in grado di dire altro
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AK
5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic book! Absolutely brilliant!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 22, 2021
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Fantastic book! Absolutely brilliant! Kids loved it. So very funny. Beautifully illustrated and a joy to read. Well worth it.
One person found this helpful
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J.F
5.0 out of 5 stars I think I'll move to Australia...
Reviewed in Germany on November 10, 2020
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Ich habe dieses Buch zufällig gefunden, ohne zu wissen dass es schon sehr bekannt ist. Ich habe es meiner Tochter auf Englisch vorgelesen und seitdem liebt sie dieses Buch und auch noch Englisch. Die Geschichte nutze ich vor allem an den Tagen wo meine Kinder mal kleinen Pech haben oder schlechten Tag haben, dann wird es einfach gelacht und das schlechte vergessen. Ein so schlechtgelaunter Junge, der dennoch so sympatisch ist...den muss man lieben :)
One person found this helpful
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