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Alexander
Absolutely, Positively Alexander: the complete stories
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.
96 pages, Hardcover
First published October 1, 1997
1 person is currently reading
92 people want to read
About the author
Judith Viorst
119 books816 followersJudith Viorst is an American writer, newspaper journalist, and psychoanalysis researcher. She is known for her humorous observational poetry and for her children's literature. This includes The Tenth Good Thing About Barney (about the death of a pet) and the Alexander series of short picture books, which includes Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day (1972), which has sold over two million copies.
Viorst is a 1952 graduate of the Newark College of Arts and Sciences at Rutgers University in Newark, New Jersey. In 1968, she signed the "Writers and Editors War Tax Protest" pledge, vowing to refuse tax payments in protest against the Vietnam War. In the latter part of the 1970s, after two decades of writing for children and adults, Viorst turned to the study of Freudian psychology. In 1981, she became a research graduate at Washington Psychoanalytic Institute after six years of study.
Viorst is a 1952 graduate of the Newark College of Arts and Sciences at Rutgers University in Newark, New Jersey. In 1968, she signed the "Writers and Editors War Tax Protest" pledge, vowing to refuse tax payments in protest against the Vietnam War. In the latter part of the 1970s, after two decades of writing for children and adults, Viorst turned to the study of Freudian psychology. In 1981, she became a research graduate at Washington Psychoanalytic Institute after six years of study.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
October 2, 2020
It's Friday afternoon at work and I can soooo relate to Alexander's not very good day. There is a great sense of fun (and truth) in the pages of these classic tales that everyone will be able to recognise and enjoy.
January 18, 2009
Those who like Alexander will find his complete stories in this book. I like the introduction. Bad things "do" happen -a lot- to Alexander.
October 22, 2018
We love Alexander's 'Terrible Horrible No Good Very Bad Day'. We liked 'used to be rich last Sunday' (probably me more so than Miss 4, but it was useful for talking about saving vs spending). 'I'm not moving' didn't appeal (probably more helpful if you have an upcoming move).
Miss 4 and I like to explore different books and authors at the library, sometimes around particular topics or themes. We try to get different ones out every week or so; it's fun for both of us to have the variety and to look at a mix of new & favourite authors.
Miss 4 and I like to explore different books and authors at the library, sometimes around particular topics or themes. We try to get different ones out every week or so; it's fun for both of us to have the variety and to look at a mix of new & favourite authors.
February 21, 2019
This book was a great comedy for kids! I thoroughly enjoyed Alexander's stories. Each story is crafted from a child perspective and is very relate able to children. My students were able to find certain characteristics about Alexander and relate their selves to his feelings. A lot of my students have experienced an abundance of transitions and it quickly related with Alexander. It was also nice that the book offered a variety of stories and voices for the reader to experience. Awesome read!
December 27, 2020
lightly amusing
March 28, 2023
Technically, we also read this one. M has asked us to read all three of these stories many many times.
May 6, 2015
So I saw the trailer for “Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good Bad Day,” starring Steve Carrell, looked fun, and when I found a copy of the book in a friend’s office, I decided to read it. Then I found out it was one of a trilogy of “Alexander” books, all in one volume! By Judith Viorst! Having, within the past year, binge-read the “Walter the Farting Dog” books, I HAD to read these! So I decided to get this book out of the Library, and here we go!
The named book is the first in the collection, chronicles the rather negative adventures of a hapless ten-year-old, He gets no prize in his cereal box when his siblings do; his lunch is lackluster; his hitting his brother is caught and punished by his mom; his visit to his dad’s work is a disaster; his supper has (ycch) lima beans. He wants to move to Australia but comes to realize they probably have bad days there too. The lesson, of course, is that everyone has such days and they just have to be endured. (I’ll submit a supplement to this review after I see the movie)
“Alexander, Who Used to be Rich Last Sunday” tells of how, in a series of small but spendthrift incidents, his dollar he got from his grandparents gradually disappears. We all can relate, kids and adults alike.
“Alexander, who’s Not (do you hear me? I mean it) Going To Move” deals with the nightmare of every kid who ever moved. Kids have to deal with the decisions of the adults in their lives all the time (just talk to a military brat or the child of a preacher), and this is a major biggie. Alexander has to leave his school, his best friend Paul, his Soccer team and, of course, the womb that has been his house his whole life. Anger, sadness, desperation, and, somehow, acceptance, all those emotions attendant upon loss, are marvelously presented in this story, the best of the bunch in my opinion.
All in all, this was very enjoyable, with gently-presented messages and wonderful illustrations, by Ray Cruz and Robin Press Glasser (“in the style of Ray Cruz). Thanks, Ms. Viorst, for an enjoyable reading experience.
Oh, Joy! I have found that there are Even More Alexander books! These include: “Alexander and the Wonderful, Marvelous, Excellent, Terrific Ninety Days: An Almost Completely Honest Account of What Happened to Our Family When Our Youngest Son, His Wife, Their Baby, Their Toddler, and Their Five-Year-Old Came to Live with Us for Thr...” and “Alexander, Who’s Trying to be the Best Boy Ever.” Will submit reviews of them when I read ‘em, which I feel won’t be too much longer now…
The named book is the first in the collection, chronicles the rather negative adventures of a hapless ten-year-old, He gets no prize in his cereal box when his siblings do; his lunch is lackluster; his hitting his brother is caught and punished by his mom; his visit to his dad’s work is a disaster; his supper has (ycch) lima beans. He wants to move to Australia but comes to realize they probably have bad days there too. The lesson, of course, is that everyone has such days and they just have to be endured. (I’ll submit a supplement to this review after I see the movie)
“Alexander, Who Used to be Rich Last Sunday” tells of how, in a series of small but spendthrift incidents, his dollar he got from his grandparents gradually disappears. We all can relate, kids and adults alike.
“Alexander, who’s Not (do you hear me? I mean it) Going To Move” deals with the nightmare of every kid who ever moved. Kids have to deal with the decisions of the adults in their lives all the time (just talk to a military brat or the child of a preacher), and this is a major biggie. Alexander has to leave his school, his best friend Paul, his Soccer team and, of course, the womb that has been his house his whole life. Anger, sadness, desperation, and, somehow, acceptance, all those emotions attendant upon loss, are marvelously presented in this story, the best of the bunch in my opinion.
All in all, this was very enjoyable, with gently-presented messages and wonderful illustrations, by Ray Cruz and Robin Press Glasser (“in the style of Ray Cruz). Thanks, Ms. Viorst, for an enjoyable reading experience.
Oh, Joy! I have found that there are Even More Alexander books! These include: “Alexander and the Wonderful, Marvelous, Excellent, Terrific Ninety Days: An Almost Completely Honest Account of What Happened to Our Family When Our Youngest Son, His Wife, Their Baby, Their Toddler, and Their Five-Year-Old Came to Live with Us for Thr...” and “Alexander, Who’s Trying to be the Best Boy Ever.” Will submit reviews of them when I read ‘em, which I feel won’t be too much longer now…
May 22, 2008
I just read this collection to my boys at bedtime. I can relate to each of these stories. I've had those horrible, terrible, no good, very bad days that made me want to move to Australia. We are studying the value of money right now, so my youngest is learning that he used to be rich. I've stomped my feet about a few moves myself. But, best of all Alexander with his mussed hair and grouchy expression about life always makes me laugh. And somehow that makes the horrible days, empty pockets, and moves in life seem not so bad.
Want to read
May 29, 2014
November 27, 2010
Alexander is one of my favorite characters from my childhood. He doesn't age and still resonates with early elementary even now. This compilation of his 3 books in one is wonderful for both old fans and new!
March 2, 2016
Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day is quite possibly the best children's story ever written! This collection of the Alexander stories is so fun. I think every child should have a copy- after all, we can all relate at one time or another!
May 6, 2009
اكتشفته صدفة على الأمازون ، كل قصص ألكزاندر في كتاب واحد!! فرحتي كانت لاتوصف
October 28, 2010
I find these books really profound in terms of what they have to say about life and how nothing is sugar-coated, even though they're for kids.
May 31, 2016
Absolutely, Positively Alexander
Viorst, Judith
a cute story, continuing in a series
Viorst, Judith
a cute story, continuing in a series
Read
March 27, 2012I never knew there was more than one book! The original is still the best though :)
October 22, 2019
My boys really enjoy these stories, especially when I switch the names with theirs and their friends'.
July 14, 2014
We all have Alexander days. Some times it's important to let our kids know that there will be days that just plain suck.
October 29, 2014
Alexander is one of my all-time favorite literary characters.this compilation of the three books about the lad is the perfect gift for a school-age child.
June 1, 2015
This book includes the 3 main Alexander stories. A great trilogy in one book.
September 25, 2015
A great trilogy the kids really enjoyed!
June 2, 2008
I love reading these stories to my Alex. Lots of fun for kids and parents.
February 6, 2012
3 Alexander books combined into one
Ages 4 - 8
Alexander's love this book, of course!
Ages 4 - 8
Alexander's love this book, of course!
April 12, 2017
This one of my top 10 favorite books series ever!
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews