Parents' Guide to

Alexander, Who Used to Be Rich Last Sunday

By Susan Fitzgerald, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 4+

Kid-friendly language and funny illustrations.

Book Judith Viorst Family Life 1995
Alexander, Who Used to Be Rich Last Sunday Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this book.

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What's the Story?

To a young child, a dollar's reach is limitless. Hopeful Alexander envisions buying a walkie-talkie, but, cent by cent, his money proves too hard to hold on to and he's left with nothing but bus tokens. A perfect combination of kid-friendly language and emotion-riddled illustrations make this a kid favorite.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say Not yet rated
Kids say (2 ):

Once again, author Judith Viorst proves she knows kids inside and out. Illustrator Ray Cruz is back, too, bringing life to Viorst's messy-haired hero with skillfully drawn emotions ranging from utter joy to abject disappointment.

What's great about Alexander is that he learns his lessons the hard (and humorous) way. Although small purchases of bubble gum don't seem to make a dent in his budget, going through three pieces as quickly as he can chew them is not only funny but also realistic. And betting his mother that she can't guess which hand his purple marble is hidden in--and then being dumbfounded that "moms made children pay," is pure entertainment. One five-year-old reader with siblings understood Alexander's frustration when his brothers tease him, as well as his indignity when his father fines him five cents for calling them names.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the value of money. Are you surprised by how quickly Alexander used up his dollar? What would you do with a dollar? This could be a good springboard for discussions about allowance, the value of goods, and spending habits.

Book Details

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