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Overview
When Zack meets his second-grade teacher, Miss Smith, he can tell right away that her class will be different. But he has no idea just how different it will be! Miss Smith has a knack for telling tales when she reads from her incredible book, the stories literally spring to life! Then one day Miss Smith is late for school. The principal takes over and things get out of hand. The classroom is swarming with storybook characters from princesses to pirates to the three little pigs? All it takes is one spectacular teacher.
When the new teacher, Miss Smith, reads to her class, Zack and his classmates are amazed to find that the storybook characters come to life.
Synopsis
In this latest picture book by Michael Garland, action-packed artwork showcases a tale of high adventure inspired by the magic of reading and one spectacular teacher.
Zack can't wait for Mrs. Smith to read out loud again from her incredible book. The first story fills the classroom with dueling pirates and the sound of their clashing swords. The second story transports Zack's class to the shady forest of the Big Bad Wolf. At the end of each spellbinding tale the characters slip quietly back into the book.
But one day Mrs. Smith is late for school, and the principal takes charge. When he runs away in terror from a fire-breathing dragon, Zack and his classmates set free the rest of the storybook characters and have a morning of high-spirited fun . . . until they notice that the pirates have hoisted their Jolly Roger on the roof of the school!
Publishers Weekly
With her spiky red-orange hair, leather jacket and "The Clash" pin, "Miss Smith seemed very... different from Zack's other teachers. But the day went along like every school day Zack could remember-until Miss Smith said, `It's story time.' " The teacher opens a leather-bound volume with a filigree cover, and the pages begin to glow. As Miss Smith reads, fantasy characters appear and the classroom transforms into a pirate ship or a fairy-tale forest until the story is complete. One day, Miss Smith is late and the school principal picks up the magic tome. When a dragon emerges, he flees, and the giddy children pass the book around. Before long, familiar characters like the Three Bears, Headless Horseman, Cowardly Lion and Mad Hatter are on the loose, and Miss Smith has to get them under control. Garland (The Mouse Before Christmas) styles petite Miss Smith as a punk-rock throwback, but he doesn't draw any connection between her distinctive looks and the storybook's powers. Miss Smith seems like a wayward character from some other tale, and child character Zack barely registers on the plot. Likewise, visual icons like Alice and Bo Peep may be present, but without their attendant narratives, they lack substance. The author acknowledges classic children's literature without igniting enthusiasm for it. Ages 5-11. (July) Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.
Editorials
From Barnes & Noble
The Barnes & Noble ReviewAn unsuspecting classroom plays tug-of-war with literary characters in this jubilant and magical picture book from the creator of Mystery Mansion and The Mouse Before Christmas.
When Miss Smith enters class on the first day of school, she seems "very... different from Zack's other teachers": Her spiky red hair and "The Clash" pin aren't the strangest thing about her; it's also the book she reads. When Miss Smith begins a tale from her "incredible storybook," the characters spring to life -- hopping back into the book once the story is finished -- and that week, the class winds up on board a pirate ship, meeting Red Riding Hood and enjoying other characters' company. But when the principal steps in for Miss Smith one morning, a fantasy tale freaks him out, and the room fills suddenly with a mass of characters who aren't happy with the thought of going back to their stories. Kids and fictional figures get into a sour tug-of-war over the book, but thankfully, Miss Smith shows up to set things right.
Michael Garland has dreamed up another colorfully creative book, this time emphasizing reading and imagination. Kids will love seeing the classroom chaos, while parents can appreciate the underlying message. A zany treat on every page. Matt Warner
Publishers Weekly
With her spiky red-orange hair, leather jacket and "The Clash" pin, "Miss Smith seemed very... different from Zack's other teachers. But the day went along like every school day Zack could remember-until Miss Smith said, `It's story time.' " The teacher opens a leather-bound volume with a filigree cover, and the pages begin to glow. As Miss Smith reads, fantasy characters appear and the classroom transforms into a pirate ship or a fairy-tale forest until the story is complete. One day, Miss Smith is late and the school principal picks up the magic tome. When a dragon emerges, he flees, and the giddy children pass the book around. Before long, familiar characters like the Three Bears, Headless Horseman, Cowardly Lion and Mad Hatter are on the loose, and Miss Smith has to get them under control. Garland (The Mouse Before Christmas) styles petite Miss Smith as a punk-rock throwback, but he doesn't draw any connection between her distinctive looks and the storybook's powers. Miss Smith seems like a wayward character from some other tale, and child character Zack barely registers on the plot. Likewise, visual icons like Alice and Bo Peep may be present, but without their attendant narratives, they lack substance. The author acknowledges classic children's literature without igniting enthusiasm for it. Ages 5-11. (July) Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.Children's Literature
Zack was afraid that school would be boring this year, just like last year. His new teacher Miss Smith was a pleasant surprise. She seemed different. When she began to read her storybook, he was amazed that the characters came to life. The whole class was in the middle of the pirate story, feeling the sea breeze and hearing the waves. From that day on Zack could not wait to get to school. One day Miss Smith was late and the principal came in and started reading from her storybook. The principal was so startled when a knight and dragon come out of the book into the classroom he ran off to get help. Children picked up the book and started reading other stories. Their characters also appear in the room. As the book is passed around, the classroom gets very crowded. Miss Smith finally makes it back to school and knows exactly how to solve this problem. She has to finish each story for the characters to jump back into the book. 2003, Dutton Children's Books, Ages 6 to 10.—Kristin Harris