Customer Reviews

Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day

5 star:		(71)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

I bought this book initially because I remember loving it as a child. Now I use it in my classroom. It can be used to talk about cause and effect writing teaching students there will always be an effect to our actions. It can be used to discuss the negative attitude Alexander has, and how he could have improved his day. It can be used to let students know that sometimes you will have a bad day. As the last sentence says "Mom says some days are like that".

My mom used to read me this book all of the time when I was little. Now, I use it as a way to cheer up my "terrible, horrible, no good, very bad days." I have to smile, and then things aren't really so very bad after all. I would say this is a book that should be included in every personal library, no matter what your age.

And Judith Viorst has created one of them. I didn't know who the author was until just today but Alexander and the terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day has been my all time favorite book since I can remember. Of course to all my adult friends, I would rather die than admit it. Even today, when I am having just one of those awful days, I tell people I am having an "Alexander" day. I think it also developed my love for poetry.
You hear all the time how it is important for kids to read, but it is just a cliche, it has lost all meaning. It is when you stop and think about authors like Judith Viorst or Dr. Seuss and how I know for myself it wasn't for them, I wouldn't have such a deep love for the written word and its magic it brings that you see its true value. Alexander is a classic, just as much as Moby Dick or Oliver Twist and everyone with a sense of whimsy (and especially those without it) need to read it.
I was reading another book Mrs. Viorst wrote and when I found out she wrote my beloved Alexander book, my face lit up. That's the power of Alexander, he makes 33 year old women's faces light up as they recall his tale of plight. (And a note to Alexander: I talked to my cousins in Australia, and your mother was right, they do have those kind of days there too. LOL)

I used to read this book ALL the time as a kid. I came across it here and had to get it for my 3 yr old. She likes the book and asks me to read it to her often and Mom has no problem obliging with this one!

As a child plagued with bouts of unluck, I thought I'd found a kindred when I stumbled over the beleaguered Alexander and his tale. He was everything I was. I found this book tucked away in an elementary school's library at a very young age and thought it was hysterical....and I felt the utmost empathy for Alexander, of course.

Everyone has days like these. Grownups can also surely relate to it. I know I still can. It's a great book and I don't see why so many people have posted negative reviews; perhaps they never have bad days??

Children will find a delightful and compassionate friend in Alexander; I would reccomend this book - vehemently - to anyone with children. Or without - if you'd simply like a good smile.

I found this book while I was looking for a gift for a six year old boy today. I loved it so much that I got one for the birthday boy and one for my almost-six year-old daughter. It is absolutely amazing.. Alexander is having a bad day, no not just a bad day, a horrible day, as we, adults, call it "a day from hell"... So he decides to move to a far away land where people do not have to live days like this - but guess what? He figures it out.. Anyone, anywhere can have a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day... It happens to everyone.. He is not alone, and it is not the end of the world..

I don't find this book depressing at all.. It is realistic and entertaining at the same time.. I recommend this book for not only kids (probably 5+) but also teenagers and adults.

The drawings are cute pen and ink sketches. I think everyone has had a bad day like this. I'm not sure that running away -- even to somewhere as wonderful as Australia is the best solution to ones troubles.

I'm 17 years old and still remember and enjoy reading this book from when I was younger. A friend of mine and I recently got together to go read children's books all day at the local bookstore, and I was delighted when I found "Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day" sitting on the shelves ready to be read. Alexander is a typical little boy who believes every obstacle in his life is leading to the end of the world. I laughed the whole way through the book, relating to him on several levels. I think the book is wonderfully written for all audiences; while a child may life, an adult may look at Alexander's tale and reminisce about their own childhood when they received plain white sneakers instead of ones with racing stripes.

A classic that we'll never tire of! Poor little Alexander ... things just didn't go right all day long ... from the moment he woke up with gum in his hair. I would say he was having a very bad 'hairday!" Ha-ha ... A charming, delightfully illustrated book.

Also recommended: The Toonies Invade Silicon Valley, Wild About Books, Fairy Chronicles, Willow King, Dragon Rider, The Anybodies, The Nobodies, The Boy Under the Bed

I very much enjoyed this book as a child. Always felt better after hearing it and couldn't wait to hear it again, and again and again!!!!
Please tell me how such a "negitive book" can make you feel so warm and happy after reading it??? This really is a great book. Never mind the senseless few individuals who state otherwise. Bad days happen to everyone. Kids enjoy hearing stuff they can relate to and laugh with such as this book.