Book Series · 4 Books

Alexander Books

In order from Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day to Alexander, Who's Trying His Best to Be the Best Boy Ever.

Judith Viorst's funny, honest picture books follow Alexander through bad days, money mistakes, moving worries, and the hard work of making better choices.

Reviewed by the Bookroo Editors Updated

Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day
Alexander, Who Used to Be Rich Last Sunday
Alexander, Who's Not (Do You Hear Me? I Mean It!) Going to Move
Alexander, Who's Trying His Best to Be the Best Boy Ever
Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day
Alexander, Who Used to Be Rich Last Sunday
Alexander, Who's Not (Do You Hear Me? I Mean It!) Going to Move
Reading order

How to Read the Alexander Books

The four stories are shown in publication order. Each stands alone, so families can begin with the situation that feels most familiar, though Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day is the natural introduction to his voice and family.

Sources: Simon & Schuster's Alexander collection.

For parents

What Parents Should Know

Alexander complains, argues with siblings, spends money unwisely, and worries about moving, but the conflicts remain grounded in ordinary family life. The books validate big feelings without pretending that every frustrating day can be fixed.

The fourth book uses a different illustrator from the three earlier stories. There is no frightening content beyond mild childhood worries and comic mishaps.

Where the story begins

First Book in the Series

Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day
Sale price
$958
Book #1 · Picture Book · Ages 6–9 · 1972

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

By Judith Viorst, Ray Cruz (Illustrator)

A young boy recounts the events of his terrible day.

32 pages· 741 words· Est. 6 min read-aloud
6.3/7 Bookroo
$9.99Save 4%
Paperback
Summary: Alexander wakes up with gum in his hair, and his day spirals from bad to worse. With no dessert and lima beans for dinner, he wonders if escaping to Australia might help. As everything seems to go wrong, Alexander learns he's not alone in having terrible days. Will he find a way to turn things around, or is this just one of those days? Discover how Alexander navigates his misadventures in this charming tale that resonates with readers of all ages.
In reading order

Alexander Series

4 books · Published 1972–2014

#1
#1 in Series
Sale price
$958

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

Picture Book · Ages 6–9 · 1972

A young boy recounts the events of his terrible day.

#2

Alexander, Who Used to Be Rich Last Sunday

Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 1978

Alexander's dollar vanishes as he learns the true value of money management.

#3
Sale price
$759

Alexander, Who's Not (Do You Hear Me? I Mean It!) Going to Move

Picture Book · Ages 5–8 · 1995

A boy refuses to move with his family, clinging to his beloved hometown life.

#4

Alexander, Who's Trying His Best to Be the Best Boy Ever

Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2014

Can Alexander resist temptation to avoid consequences and be the Best Boy Ever?

Good to know

Common Questions

How many books are in the Alexander series?

There are 4 books in the Alexander series. It began with Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day in 1972, and the newest book, Alexander, Who's Trying His Best to Be the Best Boy Ever, was published in 2014.

What order should you read the Alexander books in?

Start with Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day and follow the series order — the books above are numbered #1 through #4.

What ages are the Alexander books best for?

The series is best for ages 4–9, based on the age ranges of the individual books.

The people

The Creatives Behind the Books

The people who bring Alexander to life.

01

Judith Viorst

Author
02

Ray Cruz

Illustrator
03

Robin Preiss Glasser

Illustrator
04

Isidre Monés

Illustrator

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