Book Review – ALEXANDER AND THE TERRIBLE, HORRIBLE, NO GOOD, VERY BAD DAY



1.       BIBLIOGRAPHY

Viorst, Judith.  1972. ALEXANDER AND THE TERRIBLE, HORRIBLE, NO GOOD, VERY BAD DAY.  Ill. by Ray Cruz. Kingsport, TN: Kingsport Press.  ISBN 0-689-30072-7

2.       PLOT SUMMARY

Alexander has a very bad day, with one terrible thing happening after another.  He describes how all the other kids get everything they want, except him.  His mom assures him that some days are like that…even in Australia.

3.       CRITICAL ANALYSIS

This book can be enjoyed by anyone who has ever experienced a bad day.  Although one terrible thing after another happens to Alexander, the themes of this book can reassure children that they are not the only ones who feel this way.  The first person point of view allows the author to explore our protagonist's internal feelings and emotions.  The writing sets a mood of relentless bad news, with Alexander repeating over and over again that he is having a very, very bad day and that he wants to escape to Australia.  This repetition also helps emerging readers by giving them passages they are familiar with, which allows them to build confidence in their reading skills.  Black and white illustrations by Ray Cruz capture the look of grumpy young boys very well, especially with Alexander’s miserable expression on the front cover.  Many of the pictures depict him looking upset, while the kids around him are smiling or indifferent, capturing the feeling of isolation Alexander is feeling.

4.       REVIEW EXCERPTS

ALA Notable Children’s Book

Reviewed in 100 Best Books for Children: "Bibliotherapy rarely produces a classic, but this book describes perfectly a simple childhood and adult phenomenon – a day when things just don’t go your way."

Reviewed by School Library Journal: “The perfect antidote to any adult that claims that childhood is one sweet, blissful, stress free ride of innocence and carefree days.”

5.       CONNECTIONS

* This book would be a good choice to comfort children experiencing a bad day, letting them know they are not alone.
* The 1990 HBO adaptation can be viewed HERE.  It is not availabe on DVD.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ezbssw11724&feature=related

* Alexander returned in more books, many years later.  One about money management, the other on dealing with a different kind of change:

Viorst, Judith. ALEXANDER, WHO USED TO BE RICH LAST SUNDAY. ISBN 0689711999

Viorst, Judith. ALEXANDER, WHO’S NOT (DO YOU HEAR ME? I MEAN IT!) GOING TO MOVE. ISBN 0689820895