Judith Viorst

Judith Viorst is an American writer renowned for her contributions to children's literature and humorous poetry. Her best-known work, "Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day," has sold over two million copies and remains a beloved classic. She has also authored other notable children's books, including "The Tenth Good Thing About Barney," which sensitively addresses pet loss, and the sequels to the Alexander series, such as "Alexander, Who Used to Be Rich Last Sunday." Her poetry collection "If I Were in Charge of the World and Other Stories" further showcases her wit and insight into childhood experiences.

Beyond her children's books, Viorst has pursued psychoanalytic research, graduating from the Washington Psychoanalytic Institute in 1981 after six years of study. Her writing often blends humor with keen observations of human behavior, reflecting her dual interests in literature and psychology. A graduate of Rutgers University, she began her career as a newspaper journalist before transitioning to poetry and children's fiction. Viorst has also been politically active, notably signing the 1968 "Writers and Editors War Tax Protest" against the Vietnam War. She resides in Washington, D.C., with her husband, Milton.