Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day | 
 enlarge | Author: Judith Viorst
Creator: Ray Cruz
Brand: INGRAM BOOK & DISTRIBUTOR
Category: Book
List Price: $7.99
Buy Used: $2.64
You Save: $5.35 (67%)
New (31) Collectible (3) from $3.45
Avg. Customer Rating:  173 reviews
Sales Rank: 409
Media: Paperback
Reading Level: Ages 4-8
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 32
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 9.4 x 7.2 x 0.2
MPN: ING0689711735
ISBN: 0689711735
EAN: 9780689711732
ASIN: 0689711735
Publication Date: July 15, 1987
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Shipping: Expedited shipping available
Shipping: International shipping available
Condition: ** Possible marking on cover. 100% Satisfaction guaranteed on all purchases.
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| Features:
| • | Made with the Best Quality Material with your child in mind. | | • | Top Quality Children's Item. |
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| Also Available In:
| • | Audio CD - Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day CD | | • | Hardcover - Alexander And The Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day | | • | Puzzle - Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day | | • | School & Library Binding - Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day | | • | Audio Cassette - Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day | | • | Audio Cassette - Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day, and Other Stories | | • | Audio Cassette - Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day | | • | Turtleback - Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day | | • | Paperback - Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day |
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Product Description
The story is about Alexander and his very bad day. Read about his best friend that deserted him, and no dessert in his lunch bag and lima beans for dinner and kissing on TV. Paperback.
Amazon.com
"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)
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| Customer Reviews: Read 168 more reviews...
 Does not send the right message to children - it's depressing and discouraging August 27, 2008
I don't understand how there are so many positive reviews of this book! It's awful. Simply awful. There is nothing positive about this book at all.
I'm trying to teach my son how to be content with what he has and things that come his way. (Heck, I'm still trying to learn that myself.) Then a book like this comes along and on EVERY page you have a little boy with a whiny, complaining spirit. He is the most discontent character I have ever seen.
Kids have enough trouble these days - why would you go out of your way to teach them to murmur and complain? Or encourage them to do so? It's really quite ridiculous.
I got this book from the library (after browsing Amazon for books with high reviews) but this is definitely one we're taking back without me reading it to my son.
 Is there a Grumpus Among Us? July 29, 2008
This is a solid pick in my boys' bedtime reading collection.
I've found the trick to reading this book at bedtime is to tackle it as one long sentence with breathless pacing, punctuated by exasperated gasps and groans. My kids giggle with delight as Alexander grumps through his day, complaining about every perceived slight or wound as though their sum could prove to be fatal.
The added bonus is that this book gives a name to my sons' occasional lapses. When they are feeling miserable I only need ask, "Are you having a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day?"
And that usually brings a smile.
 It Was Fun, Bad Day Or Not July 26, 2008
I've seen some of the other reviews and how this book is too negative. I liked it! Things don't always so as planned, but this book offers a refreshing and funny way to introduce that concept to your child. The pictures are great and the message is clear that despite everything being topsy-turvy, it'll be allright and we'll make it through. I recommend this book. Another book I like and read to my son is "Ladybug Baby Bug", by Janice and Mark Perkins, which is all good. For those that thought this book was too negative, try it for it's positive family message and colorful illustrations.
No redeeming qualities to this book June 30, 2008
2 out of 5 found this review helpful
I thought, after reading the description and some of the reviews, that at least there would be something positive to counteract Alexander's bad experiences throughout the day. The only trace of anything positive is at the very end of the book when it mentions that even in Australia some days are bad too.
This child has everything going wrong for him, from the time he got up in the morning...gum in hair, tripped on his skateboard, didn't get a toy in his breakfast cereal when his brothers did. He thinks he'll move to Australia.
On the way to school he doesn't get a window seat. At school the teacher liked someone else's picture of a sailboat over Alexander's invisible castle (he didn't draw anything). He left out the number 16 at counting time. He "could tell it was going to be a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day."
And on it goes. So far, his complaints are fairly innoculous. This kind of stuff can happen to any kid, but his behavior begins escalating into bad behavior. "I hope you sit on a tack, I said to Paul. I hope the next time you get a double-decker strawberry ice-cream cone the ice cream part falls off the cone part and lands in Australia."
More everyday "bad" stuff happens to him--he didn't get dessert in his lunch, a trip to the dentist reveals a cavity. Then at the car his brother made him fall and his other brother calls him a crybaby--so he punches him.
He makes a mess at his father's office. He hates lima beans (served at dinner). He hates kissing (saw it on TV). Bath was too hot. Soap in his eyes. Hates his pajamas. Goes to bed thinking of his terrible day, and his mom assures him some days are like that, even in Australia.
The whole thing is so negative. He's a grouch. Why should I read this to my child? (too late, I already did, but never again)
What a negative book June 20, 2008
3 out of 7 found this review helpful
Already from the title you can tell this is a very negative book. I agree that everyone has bad days sometimes, but do you really have to look at such a negative book to make them better? I find it depressing and on a bad day it actually would make me feel worse.
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