Late for School!

Children's Literature - Debra Lampert-Rudman

Mr. Bungles is one teacher who is "never, ever, ever" late for school but today is an exception to his rule. The thinly mustached, wide-eyed character forgot to set his alarm clock and his story opens with him fast asleep in ducky pajamas snuggled next to his little brown pup. The rollicking, rhyming text and large, expressive typeface keep readers racing with Mr. Bungles as he jumps out of bed, hurriedly dresses, and has car trouble, misses his train, attempts to ride a bus, an animal control van, a hot air balloon, and a unicycle until he finally has to just use his feet—and still arrives late to school. His students laugh at him as he races inside. But they also bring him water and set him down in a chair as the clock ticks 9:10. The book ends with Mr. Bungles changing his rule to read "Please try your best to be on time for school!!" Child readers will enjoy the story line about turning the tables on the teacher, and the whimsical illustrations add to the book's page-turning action. Reviewer: Debra Lampert-Rudman

School Library Journal

K-Gr 1

"You're late. Tick! Tock! You must have forgotten to set your clock!" Rhythm and rhyme follow a tardy Mr. Bungles as he races to be on time. From end pages that trace his route to brightly colored angles of each page, this book shouts MOTION and encourages listeners to fill in the rhyme with each turn of the page. Readers will find it might take more than just hopping in a car to travel even a short distance. Mr. Bungles's car won't start-he runs for a train. He misses the train and tries for a bus; it's too crowded. He runs for a van, but the van heads in the wrong direction, and Bungles finally returns via hot-air balloon and unicycle. As his name hints, the errant teacher can't seem to do anything right. Cartoon characters in scenes of collage and mixed media follow Mr. Bungles's efforts to watch the clock and avoid breaking his own rule, "Never, ever, ever be late for school!" A colorful selection for all libraries, this book is also a visually stimulating choice for teachers presenting time and transportation or inspiration for young students as the school year resumes.-Mary Elam, Forman Elementary School, Plano, TX

Kirkus Reviews

Mr. Bungles, the teacher, has woken up late! Eyes bulging, he rushes about to get ready for school. But things go from bad to worse when Bungles can't find a shoe and then his car won't start. He must use his noggin to come up with increasingly zany ways to get to school on time. He misses the train, the bus is full, the hot-air balloon gets popped and the unicycle is too tiring. Finally, he relies on his own two feet and runs the rest of the way. Alas, he is still tardy. The events of the morning cause Bungles to reevaluate: He rewrites his stern instructions to his students, adapting his sign to a more generous, "Please try your best to be on time for school!!" Yoshikawa's bright, action-packed illustrations add zest to this fast-paced pleaser and include a clock on each page so kids can watch the minutes tick away. This silly, light snack of a tale shows that even teachers can learn a new lesson. (Picture book. 3-6)