Common Sense Note
Marshall's artwork enriches the humor of the text. The situation is very appealing to kids.
Common Sense Review
Reviewed By: Peter Lewis
One piece of ridiculousness is piled upon another, like kindling, until readers spontaneously burst into laughter. The scene where Viola Swamp, sporting a Miss Nelson mask, confounds the dimwitted Mr. Blandsworth is priceless.
Marshall gets it oh-so right with his joyously silly, expressive pen-and-wash artwork. Readers can feel the glee coming off the page when the kids realize they have pulled a fast one on Mr. Blandsworth, and the marvelous Miss Nelson is like a Buddha in her serenity and wisdom.
This story cracked up a group of five-year-olds--who have not yet spent a day in kindergarten ---though there was a pause in their laughter every time a new shadow appeared behind the pane of frosted glass in the classroom door. Who's coming to substitute for Miss Nelson? Yikes!
The sequel is Miss Nelson Has a Field Day. Another book by the Allard and Marshall team is The Stupids Have a Ball.
Plot Summary:
When Miss Nelson has to have her tonsils removed, her mischievous class takes advantage of their substitute teacher, Mr. Blandsworth. It takes Miss Nelson's ultra-ego Viola Swamp to get those bratty kids back in line in this humorous tale of mistaken identity. James Marshall's witty illustrations add to the fun.
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Social BehaviorThe kids deceive their principal and misbehave, but by the end of the story it's unlikely they will do so again. |
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