Alexander, Who Used to Be Rich Last Sunday

Author: Judith Viorst

Type or emotional/crisis issue(s) addressed: Financial difficulties

Year of Publication: 1978

Publisher & Location: Scholastic Inc, NY

ISBN#: 0-590-46896-0

Target Age Level: Lower Elementary

# of Pages: 32

Quality of Illustrations: illustrated by Ray Cruz, black and white sketches, basic

Brief Summary: Alexander has lost all his money for a variety of reasons. The book goes through what happened to his money. He feels he used to be rich but now is poor.

Personal Comments/Biases, and/or Things to Consider When Using This Book With Children: Author is excellent, children may have read other books about Alexander and may be familiar with him.

Activity:
1. Discuss money and finances (define, describe)
2. Read book
3. Discuss Alexander's problems and what happened to his money
4. Have the kids draw what they would spend their money on
5. Talk about Alexander's difficulties saving money and his attitude about money and saving
6. Ask if anyone has ever felt "rich", only to feel poor later.
7. Talk about how to focus on what you do have instead of what you don't have (i.e. from book: bus tokens, cards, bear, candle)
8. Have kids draw the things they do have now