Judith Viorst facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Judith Viorst
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Viorst in 2014
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| Born | Judith Stahl February 2, 1931 Newark, New Jersey, U.S. |
| Nationality | American |
| Alma mater | Rutgers University |
| Notable works | Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day The Tenth Good Thing About Barney |
| Notable awards | 2011 Foremother Award |
| Spouse | Milton Viorst |
| Children | 3 |
Judith Viorst (born Judith Stahl on February 2, 1931) is an American writer, journalist, and researcher. She is famous for her funny poems and her popular children's books.
Many people know her for books like The Tenth Good Thing About Barney, which helps children understand the sadness of losing a pet. She also wrote the famous Alexander series of picture books. One of the most well-known books in this series is Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day, which has sold more than two million copies.
Viorst graduated from Rutgers University in 1952. In 1968, she joined other writers in the "Writers and Editors War Tax Protest". This was a peaceful way to show they were against the Vietnam War by refusing to pay taxes. Later in her life, she became very interested in psychoanalysis, which is the study of the human mind and feelings. She studied it for six years and became a research graduate in 1981.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Judith Viorst was born in Newark, New Jersey, and grew up in the nearby town of Maplewood, New Jersey. She went to Columbia High School and graduated in 1948. In 1990, her old high school honored her by adding her to its hall of fame.
Career as a Writer
Books for Children
Viorst has written many beloved books for kids. Her "Alexander" books are about a boy who lives with his parents and two older brothers, Anthony and Nick. Viorst named these characters after her own three sons. The books explore common childhood feelings, like having a really bad day.
Another of her popular books is Sad Underwear, published in 1995. It's a book of poems that talks about all kinds of feelings and experiences that kids go through.
Books for Adults
Besides writing for children, Viorst also wrote many books for adults. These books often explored psychology topics like marriage, feelings, and the challenges of growing up. She also wrote nine books of poetry for adults.
Viorst worked as a newspaper columnist, writing for big newspapers like The New York Times and The Washington Post. She was also a regular writer for Redbook magazine.
Personal Life
Viorst lives in Washington, D.C. She was married to political writer Milton Viorst. He passed away in 2022 from COVID-19. Together, they had three sons: Anthony, Nicholas, and Alexander. She also has seven grandchildren.
In 2011, Viorst received the Foremother Award for Lifetime Achievement from the National Research Center for Women & Families for her important work.
Famous Books
For Children
- I'll Fix Anthony (1969)
- My Mama Says there Aren't any Zombies, Ghosts, Vampires, Creatures, Demons, Monsters, Fiends, Goblins, or Things (1973)
- The Tenth Good Thing About Barney (1987)
- The Good-bye Book (1988)
- Sad Underwear and Other Complications: More Poems for Children and Their Parents (1995)
- And Two Boys Booed (2014)
The Alexander Series
- Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day (1972)
- Alexander, Who Used to be Rich Last Sunday (1977)
- Alexander, Who Is Not (Do You Hear Me? I Mean It!) Going to Move (1995)
- Alexander, Who's Trying His Best to Be the Best Boy Ever (2014)
The Lulu Series
- Lulu and the Brontosaurus (2010)
- Lulu Walks the Dogs (2012)
- Lulu's Mysterious Mission (2014)
- Lulu Is Getting a Sister (2018)
Adaptations of Her Work
Some of Viorst's books have been turned into plays and movies.
- A stage play based on Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day was performed in 2004.
- In 2014, Walt Disney Pictures released a live-action movie called Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day.
See also
In Spanish: Judith Viorst para niños
