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.

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.

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)

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.

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.

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!People Are So Different!

My daughter loves this book as a bedtime story. She is so enthralled with how bad Alexander thinks he has it. I love the book and my little bookworm loves it too!

A wonderful book that gives children valedation that it is ok and normal to have bad days. Lovely. Will buy for all my grandchildren.

absoultely terrific, my daughter loved this book and it helped her express her feelings better.

Kids have good days and bad days. If you're kindergartner isn't adjusting well, this may be the ticket. It tells the story of Alex who is having a terrible, horrible, no good, very bady day.

RE: Alexancer and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day.

This book was just introduced to my twin Grandchildren who are in kindergarten. They absolutely loved it and it helps them recognize letters & words. Pretty soon they'll be reading the book to me!!

This book was read to me as a kid and now I bought one for my son. He loves it, too.

My 3 1/2 year old loved this book. I read it to him one time and he memorized every word and recited it to his classmates and teachers at preschool the next day. We read it every night for the first week he had it.

I absolutely love this book. Its a great way to laugh your bad days away. I love reading it to my children and they thoroughly enjoy it.

I remember this book from when I was a kid. Now I read it to my daughter every night and she just absolutely loves it! I would reccommend this book to ALL families, even those without kids!

This book is excellent for children and adults as well. We all have bad days and this book will lighten your spirits.

After reading the negative reviews I had to post my own once I read this book to my little boy. This book has run-on sentences, no color, and a very negative attitude coming from a little boy that says "hate" several times throughout the story. However, for a mom that likes to make up voices, and generally have fun when reading, I loved it, and so did my son! This is NOT a book that you want to get in order to teach children how to deal with "bad days", but it is helpful at the end, by saying "My mom says some days are like that, even in Australia" because this is the truth. Not all days are rainbows and butterflies, some of them stink, but we have to deal with, maybe whine a little, but go to bed that night and face the next day with a smile. Hope this helps!

This book is about a littly boy named Alexander who knew it was going to be a terrible day when he woke up with gum in this hair. And then his day got worse and work.

Parents will find this book is really helpful if you need a book to read to a discouraged child. It shows them that there will be both bad and good days in life.

I grew up reading this book, and was so excited when I found it on here! I love to read it to my daughter when either or us is having a bad day.

A friend gave this to me in college after I had my own terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day. We all got a big kick out of it, and could relate to it easily as young adults all the way back to our own childhoods.

I read a few reviews here that said this book was negative and teaches our children to complain... oh my! If a book like this warps a child that much, I'd say the parents have bigger things to worry about and maybe they need a vacation (to Australia)!

It's light-hearted and funny, enjoyable by all ages.

I like this book. I have had a copy in my collection for quite some time. Everyone one has bad days, teach your children that they can determine whether or not they are going to have a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day. It is their choice.
I also recommend books by Beau Beaudoin. His picture books have topped my children's favorite books list. The Url King and Boetry

Of all of the classics I've read through high school and college, this is still my "All Time Favorite". I read it as a child, as a baby-sitter, and now as a mom. The children love the humor and the refrain and I love the reminder that "some days are just like that, even in Australia". This book is well-written and delivers an important message to children (and adults) - bad days happen to everyone once in a while.

...and, although it's subtle, this story is written with a great rhythm for reading aloud.

I love this book. Every time I have a bad day, I whip this book out and read it. There is something about experiencing Alexander's bad day and listening to the comforting words that Alexander's mom says at the end that always makes me feel better.

Many people find Alexander to be whiny or sending a wrong message to kids. I don't think this is true. Everyone has bad days. Some of the stuff is our own doing and some stuff is just the luck of the draw. I think it is nice that kids (and adults) can read this book and be able to relate to someone who is also having a bad day.

I read this story to my kids and now will begin reading it to my grandchildren. Every family with kids should have this book!

This is a wonderful book to help teach children about their emotions. Since children need to learn what they feel and how what they feel changes, they can identify with Alexandar.

I am looking forward to receiving this book for my grandson; however, I still have not received my order. It was mailed by parcel post. When I searched to find the progress of the delivery, I found that it was delivered on December 8. However, it was not delivered to my mailbox. The post office claims to be searching for the package.

Another of Judith Viorst's wonderful books that my daughter enjoyed as a kid, and now is sharing with her kids.

My children thoroughly enjoy this book. They have now both taken to having "Terrible, Horrible, no good, very bad days", when things don't go their way. AND, they are moving to Australia!

I bought the book for my three nephews who are all under four years old. I occasionally babysit them and took the book over one day on a babysitting adventure. It just so happened my 4 year old nephew had homework before he ran off to pre-school. I was appropriated the task of helping him with his homework. One of the homework "to-dos" was being read to. Perfect! I pulled out the new book. It was delightful, funny, and MOST importantly, held this child's attention. I did not have to skip pages or hurry through, and I enjoyed the story as much as my nephew did.

Good book to read with your Kindergartner so that you can bring up things that are going on in school to discussion.

A wonderful book about a day when absolutely nothing went right. As the author of the Sleepytown Beagle book series, I found this book a must have! ~Timothy Glass

So sure, as of this writing 142 people have plenty to say about this book.

But are they a teacher?
Did they just have a horrible, awful day where even the water in the sink flowed in the wrong direction?

I knew it was awful when the ants were in the breakfast box where we keep the morning food and none of the kids wanted to try ants for the protein. And I knew it was even worse when I had to stop singing "This Pretty Planet" to say if you do not stop knocking into your neighbor we are going to stop ROTATING when we sing 'spinning around' and the WHOLE REASON WE ARE DOING THIS IS TO ROTATE.

And I knew it was horrible when the DAD who was supposed to walk with us to the library DITCHED US and disappeared. "Watch the KIDS," I SAID....not, "Kids watch the DAD!"

And I knew it was even more horrible when five kids kicked each other and said ...no..."It's ON PURPOSE." And it was math time and we are not working on five even....

Yes it was a horrible day.Awful, awful, awful.(see slimy green algae growing gunk all over the walls of a fish tank and you got it...)
A teacher even YELLED at me in front of the class and though she is wrong, the sophistication to know that isn't in my group.. All they know is I deferred to a big bully.

And you know it's bad when you pull this fantastic book out to read it and they DON'T NOTICE you are Reading.

It's a very bad day in my hood. True no one was hit by a car today, like two weeks ago, but breaking down in tears in the library and in the room isn't "my style." And this book that tells of a child dealing with the pits of a bad day...still resonates with me. I had a "Master teacher" years ago call Viorst books "street" and still find this put down amusing. To her these kinds of feelings and behaviors should not be validated.Never written. "The end of civilization as we know it." Sure. It went a few years back....look up we don't even give HEALTH CARE to all our kids because a PRESIDENT HAS TO DRAW THE SPENDING LINE SOMEWHERE. (That's anger)
But coming to Oxnard I worked with a teacher, now retired, Barbara Bauman, and she had this (and The Pain and The Great One, Blume) and I happened in on her reading this to her 2nd graders. They loved it. She had a calm room and a fun place to be. And she reminded me by example how classic this book is.Yes, bad days happen and Presidents do foolish, foolish things.

I think if you have this book and have a son (especially) there will be a day when it is just the right book. Oh, and please read Sunday Morning. It's also remarkable.

This was one of my son's favorites as a little boy ~~ but I bought this for my grandson!! Little boys never change!! :o)

My sons, my husband, and I all loved this book. We still use the tag line (30 years later) as a way to say "my day was the pits, so don't even ask." Judith Viorst writes books based on her own family and life experiences for both children and adults. Alexander is, indeed, having an awful day. One thing after another just isn't working out for him, and he keeps saying that he thinks he'll go to Australia. Every kid has had at least one day like this (and so have the rest of us). In the end, his mother tries to console him with the truth we all have to learn - that "Some days are like that. Even in Australia."

Great books for boys or girls. And for a bed time even better, when parents (who had a bad day themselves) have to read it. I love it.

Great little book that I use to tutor children to read - and at the same time teach about attitudes. They love it!

Young, old or somewhere in the middle - we've all experienced a day like this. Heck, some of us have found a week or a month of having a "terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day!" I find this to be charmingly written, easy to read for a child, a quick bedtime story and a great lesson of life. It's OK to be upset, to have a bad day - tomorrow - you start all over. Helps to explore feelings that are natural and needed in all of us.

i remember my teacher reading this book aloud to my class. I adored it then, and still do. sometimes I consider moving to Australia! I can't say enough about this wonderful book.

This is by far the best of the two Alexander books. It's funny and lets kids know everyone has bad days. I read this to my grand son for years, until he could read it to me. I bought this copy for a child who is having trouble with reading. It's one of the books I'd reccomend to help keep reading fun!

Book arrived quickly and was packed well and in great condition. It is a great book to use for teaching "colorful" words.

I've loved this book since I was a tiny young thing--it is a great children's book, and gives some humor for anyone who's ever had a bad day.

Who can't identify with Alexander as he bumps into one disaster after another? Is there anyone who has not considered, on such a day, a move to "Australia"? Alexander is beset at every turn and is so comforting to children who must so often feel the vagaries of life. How nice to know that somewhere on the planet is another soul who has no control of events either. Alexander is a book the children never tire of hearing and I never tire of reading.

This is not only one of the best children's books ever written, but it also has life lessons -- wittily presented -- for adults as well.
The phrase "even in Australia!" became our family's chorus -- the children and I chiming in together -- when something went wrong, and a reminder to keep things in perspective and in proportion.
Get this for the children in your life, but for yourself as well. The Tenth Good Thing About Barney

I think this is one of the best kids books I've read. It is warm, and funny. At the same time it reminds us that everyone has bad days!

I adore this book not only because it's an excellent children's book, but because it appeals to the child in all of us. Another such book is Why Some Cats are Rascals, Book 2. Make them available to your children.

A great read-aloud, and also great for fostering emotional competency, giving "permission" to have a lousy day and to be a grump about it and to know that it happens to everyone. My kids love it!

I really liked this story with the life lesson at the end that everyone has really bad days sometimes. However, I don't like the fact that the word "hate" is used in the story. I was always taught that "hate" was a strong word and should not be used casually. I hope to raise my children with a similar understanding that the word "hate" should not be used lightly. I think the author could have used other words to convey the boy's feelings in the story.

gives a very creative way to allow a 4 yr old to relate to having an off day... and trust me there are plenty of those. He likes the book and we even read it when he's ahving a bad day so he understands it not just him... even Alexander has bad days. Well worth the money and all children should read this book... how come I never had it????

This was the most "Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad" children's book we (my wife and I had the same exact thoughts after having read the book separately) have ever read. If you are looking to tell you child about sleeping with gum, hitting and fighting, blaming your mother for forgetting to put dessert in with lunch etc. then buy this book.

This book has no place a well mannered child's library.

I love this book and have loved it since I was a little kid. My copy is torn up from being read so many times. I just love how honest it is and specific in how awful poor Alexander's day was. Little things that seem like nothing to a grown-up mean everything to a little boy. But in the end a beautiful truth is told; "Some days are like that, even in Australia". It's almost reassuring you that just because you have a bad day doesn't mean that tomorrow will be bad. Take one day at a time. Some days are horrible, and that's ok.

Another fun book for all ages that helps children relate their own feelings to the main character in the story. Can be read at home or in classroom.