Judith Viorst, born as Judith Stahl on February 2, 1931, is a celebrated American author, newspaper journalist, and researcher in psychoanalysis. She is widely acclaimed for her humorous observational poetry and her contributions to children's literature. Viorst is perhaps best known for her Alexander series of short picture books, which includes the iconic Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day (1972), a treasury that has connected with audiences to the tune of over two million copies sold.

Viorst's literary journey began at the Newark College of Arts and Sciences at Rutgers University in Newark, New Jersey, where she graduated in 1952. A vocal activist, she made headlines in 1968 by signing the "Writers and Editors War Tax Protest" pledge, in opposition to the Vietnam War. Her career, spanning decades, initially focused on children's and adult literature before she ventured into the realm of Freudian psychology in the late 1970s. By 1981, after six years of rigorous study, Viorst achieved a milestone as a research graduate from the Washington Psychoanalytic Institute.

In addition to her renowned children's books, Viorst has penned several works of fiction and non-fiction for both children and adults, including six collections of poems and the adult novel Murdering Mr. Monti (1994). Her non-fiction work Imperfect Control was published in 1998 by Simon and Schuster, marking another highlight in her illustrious career.