Alexander, Who's Not (Do You Hear Me? I Mean It!) Going to Move
This humorous book captures the reality of a child's refusal to move. With a relatable, sarcastic protagonist, children can shout the title along as Alexander expresses his various, loud protests.
Alexander, Who's Not (Do You Hear Me? I Mean It!) Going to Move by Judith Viorst is estimated to take about 12 minutes to read aloud (1,152 words, about 3 sentences a page), and it lands best with children aged 4-6.
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- Estimated read-aloud time
- about 12 minutesEstimated read-aloud time
- Word count
- 1,152Counted words
- Sentences per page
- 3Sentences per page
- Re-read tolerance
- 3/5holds up
- Vocabulary level
- 3/5a few new words
- Best for
- Ages 4-6Our editorial fit
Our review
Alexander's protests—wanting to live in a sock drawer or a tree—are both funny and highly recognizable to kids undergoing similar transitions. It doesn't sugarcoat the feelings of the child.
The book is quite long and relies on a specific sense of humor that might be better suited for older children.
Before you buy it
At over ten minutes, it's a long read. Much of the humor relies on Alexander's sarcasm, something children under four likely won't catch or understand.
Themes
- moving
- refusal
- humour
- family
Books like Alexander, Who's Not (Do You Hear Me? I Mean It!) Going to Move
Matched by refrain, density, length, and listener—not just the subject.
The Berenstain Bears' Moving Dayabout 9.5 minutes estimated · 3/5 re-read
When Sophie Gets Angry - Really, Really Angry...about 3.5 minutes estimated · 4/5 re-read
Julius, the Baby of the Worldabout 11.5 minutes estimated · 4/5 re-read
The New Small Personabout 8.5 minutes estimated · 4/5 re-read
Saturdayabout 6 minutes estimated · 4/5 re-read
Questions parents ask
How long does it take to read Alexander, Who's Not (Do You Hear Me? I Mean It!) Going to Move aloud?
About 12 minutes at an unhurried pace, including a standard allowance for page turns, pictures and participation, from a word count of 1,152. Stopping for a longer conversation on every page will add more time.
What age is Alexander, Who's Not (Do You Hear Me? I Mean It!) Going to Move actually for?
Ages 4-6 in our testing, which is narrower than the publisher's range. With 3 sentences a page and vocabulary at 3 out of 5, it asks for that much attention span and no more.
Does Alexander, Who's Not (Do You Hear Me? I Mean It!) Going to Move survive being read on repeat?
Yes, reasonably. It stays bearable through the repeat-request phase without becoming a favourite forever.
Is Alexander, Who's Not (Do You Hear Me? I Mean It!) Going to Move a good book for a child who will not sit still?
It helps that it has a refrain a child can join in with. Those three features are what keep a wriggling toddler listening, far more than the subject matter does.
Will my child memorise Alexander, Who's Not (Do You Hear Me? I Mean It!) Going to Move?
Probably, and fast. The book leans on a repeated refrain, and at 3 out of 5 for re-read tolerance it survives the nightly repeats that get a book memorised. Expect your child to chant the pattern back before they can actually read.
Can a beginning reader read Alexander, Who's Not (Do You Hear Me? I Mean It!) Going to Move on their own?
Not yet. At vocabulary level 3 out of 5 and 3 sentences a page, it is a read-aloud book rather than a first solo read. Read it to them now, and hand it over in a year or two.
What themes does Alexander, Who's Not (Do You Hear Me? I Mean It!) Going to Move cover?
We tag it with moving, refusal, humour and family. Those are the threads that actually run through the book, not just the ones on the cover, which is how it earns its place on our themed lists rather than a keyword match.
