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Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day
by Judith Viorst (Illustrator: Ray Cruz)
Product Group: Book
Publisher: Aladdin (1987-07-15)
ISBN: 0689711735
Brand: INGRAM BOOK & DISTRIBUTOR
EAN: 9780689711732
Paperback: 32 pages
Reading Level: Ages 4-8
SKU: BX050-080203014
Condition: Used: Very Good
Comments: Clean and shiny. Very minor wear, near new. Spine uncreased, pgs crisp, clean, tight, unmarked. No remainder mark.
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Editorial Reviews
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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.
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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
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Is there a Grumpus Among Us?
Rating  (4)
Date: 2008-07-29
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.
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It Was Fun, Bad Day Or Not
Rating  (5)
Date: 2008-07-26
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.
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No redeeming qualities to this book
Rating  (1)
Date: 2008-06-30
2 out of 5 customers found this reveiw 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)
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What a negative book
Rating (1)
Date: 2008-06-20
3 out of 6 customers found this reveiw 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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A great way to soothe the bruises of life with your child!
Rating (5)
Date: 2008-06-19
My children just loved this story and who doesn't think they want to run away at one time or another? It is a day that each of us have and even the little one next to you understands that. The pen and ink illustrations are fantastic. I used to buy them by the dozen and stack them in the hall closet because it always seemed one of the kids friends was having a birthday. It saved me loads of time from running around for gifts all the time and all I had to do was open the closet (they take up such little space) and wrap!
Ann Clarke, author of People Are So Different! based on tolerance and understanding.
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