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

Rating:
Summary: Run-on sentences and extremely negative energy.
Review: Allow me to quote the first page of this book:
"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."

This is not posting on an Internet forum about your favorite movies where you can write what, how much, and however you want; it's a book written for children, and we can't have blatant mistakes such as run-on sentences. Therefore, I'm wondering how this page, as well as many other sentences in the book, made it past the editor(s).

As I finished the first page, the five year old child I was reading to, looked at me funny and wondered why I seemed out of breath. Even she noticed the run-on sentences and found it an awkward listen. So for the rest of the book, where I deemed it appropriate, I paused as if there were actual periods and commas where there should be.

Not only is this book an expert at run-on sentences, but it also showcases an extremely negative attitude in a boy. That may have been justified had the book addressed the issue by the end, but it alas, it doesn't. It just plays it off as if it's normal for children to be this negative. Many people wrote that they can relate to this child and his negative experiences, but if you stretch it, you can say that in reference to many other children's books as well.

Negative people give off negative energy, and without ways to deal with this issue, this is not the kind of book I want children exposed to.

An extremely negative character and ugly grammar does not make a good children's book. I would give it no stars if Amazon allowed it. This is the worst children's book I have ever purchased.

Rating:
Summary: Some books are timeless
Review: 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)

Rating:
Summary: a terrible day book
Review: i discovered this book when i was in grade skool and i remember running home and telling my mom all abt it, how it was just like what i used to go through. it's abt this little boy named alexander who has the worst day of his life (or so he thinks.) he wakes up with gum in his hair, goes to skool with no dessert in his lunch, finds a cavity at the dentist's office, wants the sneakers with the red stripes but his brother got them first so he has to have the plain white ones, has lima beans for supper, and is forced to go to sleep in train pajamas. it's such a cute book simply becuz you know kids go through it everyday. if ever yr child is having a bad day, read them alexander and see if they don't improve attitudes just a little.

Rating:
Summary: Terrible, Horrible, No Good Very Bad Day
Review: I have been using this book for several years with groups of children. Mostly when I just needed to fill some time, I would read this story to them. They have always loved it - even the ones who thought they were too old to have a story read to them. By the time I am halfway through it they are already repeating the familiar phrase with me and supporting early literacy skills. The humor is enjoyed by all and the illustrations of Alexander and his brothers are just wonderful.

Everybody has had those days where nothing seems to go right. The misfortunes of Alexander on such a day where he wakes up with gum in his hair - and that was the high point - will keep anyone smiling. A nice little lesson is that the book does neatly wrap up with Mom coming in to save the day. Rather, Mom comes in and tells Alexander that "some days are like that, even in Australia."

Why 5 stars?:
This book has gotten me out of jams before when I needed to fill time. Kids and adults love watching Alexander and the rough day that he has because we can all relate to it. The kids are able to see themselves in Alexander. The repeating phrase is one that they can all join in on. The realistic ending of the book just adds to its magic.

Rating:
Summary: a book I would never turn down
Review: There really not much to say. I have read that book a thousand times. It not only relates to children but it relates to any age because I know there is not one person who has a Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day because everybody has. Even I have. I bought this book because this is a book I would like to read to my future kids and in the classroom as a teacher because kids well reliase that everyone has a bad day. I would highly reccomend this book for any loving family or teacher that is just getting started and doesn't know what book to pick out. So in three words Get the Book.

Rating:
Summary: Marvelous, Wonderful, No Fault, Very Good Book!
Review: Though I wouldn't necessarily admit this to anyone over about 3 feet tall, I must say this is my all time favorite book bar none. I read it as a child and found myself instantly relating to Alexander and distinctly remember feeling pleased that someone...anyone...else had the capacity to blow a day full of minor irratations out of proportion so dramatically. Now, as a preschool teacher I love it yet more because not only do the children have terrible, horrible, no good, very bad days, but when they do, so too do I. I find myself reading the book out loud with so much drama and emphasis that it is emensely cathartic for all of us! I adore this book and firmly believe that every human on the planet would benefit from dramatic readings of it from time to time.