Skip to Main Content

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

Illustrated by Ray Cruz
See More Retailers

About The Book

A Latino-centric movie adaptation is coming soon to Disney+!

From children’s book legend Judith Viorst comes the perennially popular tale of Alexander’s worst day. Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day is a story that belongs on every child’s bookshelf.

Alexander could tell it was going to be a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day. He went to sleep with gum in his mouth and woke up with gum in his hair. When he got out of bed, he tripped over his skateboard and by mistake dropped his sweater in the sink while the water was running. He could tell it was going to be a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day.

It was a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day. Nothing at all was right. Everything went wrong, right down to lima beans for supper and kissing on TV.

What do you do on a day like that? Well, you may think about going to Australia. You may also be glad to find that some days are like that for other people too.

About The Author

by Milton Viorst
Judith Viorst

Judith Viorst is the author of the beloved Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day, which has sold some four million copies; the Lulu books, including Lulu and the Brontosaurus; the New York Times bestseller Necessary Losses; four musicals; and poetry for children and adults. Her most recent books of poetry include What Are You Glad About? What Are You Mad About? and Nearing Ninety. She lives in Washington, DC.

About The Illustrator

Ray Cruz

Ray Cruz is the illustrator of the modern classics Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day and Alexander, Who Used To Be Rich Last Sunday.

Product Details

  • Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers (April 24, 2012)
  • Length: 32 pages
  • ISBN13: 9781442463165
  • Ages: 6 - 9

Awards and Honors

  • ALA Notable Children's Books
  • Reading Rainbow Book
  • Georgia Children's Book Award
  • George G. Stone Center Recognition Of Merit

Resources and Downloads

High Resolution Images

More books from this author: Judith Viorst

More books from this illustrator: Ray Cruz