Review: My Teacher Is a Monster by Peter Brown

My Teacher is a Monster! (No, I Am Not.)
By Peter Brown
Little, Brown and Company, 2014
ISBN: 978-0-316-07029-4

Bobby has a big problem at school and her name is Ms. Kirby.  All she does is yell, stomp, and take away recess privileges (for throwing paper airplanes in class).  In a word, she is a monster.  One Saturday while at the park trying to forget all about Ms. Kirby and school, he runs into...Ms. Kirby!  What's a boy to do?  He sits down on the bench next to her and tries to make small talk.  A gust of wind blows Ms. Kirby's favorite hat off her head and Bobby rescues it.  Then, Bobby and Ms. Kirby quack at the ducks, Bobby shows her his favorite spot at the park, and they throw paper airplanes.  Maybe Ms. Kirby isn't such a monster, after all.

I love this story, because it is so relatable.  Think back on your elementary school experience...you know there was that one teacher you weren't a fan of.  I can think of a couple from middle school!  Bobby gets to have an experience with Ms. Kirby outside of school and it turns out she can have fun and that she doesn't yell and stomp all of the time.  The illustrations really make this story.  Ms. Kirby is depicted as a green, scaly monster at the start of the story, and as it progresses, the monster fades away (think Nanny McPhee).  This is a fun book to share with kids, especially as summer is winding down and parents and kids are getting in back to school mode.  Have a great first day back and remember, your teachers aren't monsters!

Dirtball Pete

Written and illustrated by Eileen Brennan. New York: Random House, 2010.

Dirtball Pete is dirty and stinky. And that's a fact. His mother said so and his Aunt Marion agreed, along with his sister Amanda and her friend Janine. Normally it would be fine for Dirtball Pete to be so, well, dirty, but today is The Fifty States and Why They're Great! day at school, and Pete is representing the state of Pennsylvania and he has a speech to recite. His mother, armed with a loofah and brush, is determined to get her son clean so that everyone can see what a special and wonderful boy he is under all the filth. But, Dirtball Pete doesn't stay clean for long en route to his school. What will happen when it's his turn to recite his speech? Will he make his mom proud even if he's a dirtball?

This story is absolutely charming! I loved the illustrations, especially the facial expressions. They are done in cartoon style, and kids will pore over all the dirty things attached to poor Pete. Dirtball Pete is just a happy boy, in spite of all his dirtiness. I think that's part of what makes him so lovable. This is a great story about accepting who you are, and being proud of yourself, despite the occasional dirt spot. It's not about what you look like on the outside, but who you are on the inside. Now, kids, go get dirty!

Gotta Keep Reading

Yes, you gotta keep reading. And I'm not just saying that because I'm a librarian and I love to read; kids are saying it too! Check out this awesome video made by students at Ocoee Middle School in Florida. The song is set to the tune of "I've Got a Feeling" by the Black Eyed Peas. This is so much fun, and I guarantee you'll be singing along. Maybe, you'll even be motivated to come pick out some books at the library. I'm just saying. Enjoy!

I Got a "D" in Salami

By Henry Winkler and Lin Oliver

FICTION (GRADES 3-5)

This is the second book in the Hank Zipzer series, and it is a hoot! Poor Hank, a fourth-grader, did not do well on his report card - a D in math, a D in spelling, and a D in reading! He doesn't want his parents to find out, so he and his friends come up with a hilarious solution while at his mom's deli (hence the salami). But, the situation backfires on Hank and it's a laugh-out-loud fest for the reader to see if Hank is going to make it out of this dilemma. I listened to the audio book read by author Henry Winkler (the Fonz) and ended up cracking up during several parts of the book. Hank is a lovable character, full of spirit and wise-cracks! The salami incident is pure slapstick humor. There is also a great part of the book where Hank gets tested for learning challenges. This could be a nerve-wracking situation for many children, but the authors do a wonderful job of depicting it. It doesn't hurt that when Hank's involved, there is sure to be some fun! This is a great book for a reluctant reader and I fully recommend the audio book. Henry Winkler's reading is wonderful, giving such spirit and fun to the characters.