Alexander, Who's Not (Do You Hear Me? I Mean It!) Going to Move

Twenty-three years after Alexander's first appearance, in Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day, the hapless character makes a gratifying return... with a new gripe. His family is moving 1000 miles away and he does not want to go: ""Never. Not ever. No way. Uh uh. N.O."" Roaming the neighborhood, he takes a look at his ""special places"" and bids good-bye to all his ""special people,"" announcing that ""I'm saying good-bye-but it won't be my last."" By story's end-after he lets some reassuring promises from his parents sink in-Alexander softens his tone, conceding that he, too, is packing up his things, but for the final time. Because next time his family relocates, ""I'm not-DO YOU HEAR ME? I MEAN IT!-going to move."" Alexander's voice belongs at once to him alone and to every child. Glasser admirably fulfills her stated mission to illustrate this tale ""in the style of"" Ray Cruz, the artist for the previous Alexander books. Her black-and-white drawings comically capture real events as well as those that occur only in Alexander's animated imagination. Facial expressions and body language are right on target. Hope Alexander finds a new complaint. Soon. Ages 5-8. (Oct.)