 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Absolutely Positively Alexander: The Complete Stories
- By Judith Viorst
- Genre: Family Life
Common Sense Media says
Anyone who's ever had a bad day will love this.
Parents say
Kids say
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that there are a few incidents of mild violence, but certainly nothing graphic: an angry Alexander kicks his brother in a fight and hopes his friend sits on a tack. Still, young children will get more than a few laughs from Alexander's humorous narration. The illustrations are black and white, bold, and descriptive.
What's the story?
Sometimes, bad things happen--and they happen to Alexander a lot! First, he has a really rotten day, then he gets rich for a day but ends up with just bus tokens, and finally his parents make him move to a new house. Anyone who's ever had a day they'd rather forget will love this cleverly illustrated, laugh-out-loud trilogy.
Is it any good?
Just about any elementary school-age child, at one time or another, has had at least one horrible day, has misspent money that should have been saved, and was forced to do something against his or her will -- like a move to a new house. And these stories are written from the viewpoint of a young boy named Alexander who endures it all. The illustrations, by Ray Cruz and Robin Preiss Glasser, are black-on-white, cross-hatched line drawings with remarkable realism and detail that capture Alexander's emotions and serve the stories' humorous themes well. When they were read to a group of 6- to 8-year-olds, it was hard to tell who was having more fun, the adult reader or the audience of giggling kids.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about whether these stories, the oldest of which was written more than 30 years ago, have stood the test of time. Is Alexander a character you can relate to? Why or why not? Which of the stories is your favorite? Why?
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| Author: | Judith Viorst |
| Illustrators: | Ray Cruz, Robin Preiss Glasser |
| Book type: | Fiction |
| Genre: | Family Life |
| Publisher: | Simon & Schuster |
| Publication date: | January 1, 1997 |
| Number of pages: | 96 |
| Hardcover price: | $21.95 |
| Publisher's recommended age(s): | 4 - 7 |
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