Synopsis
Mr. Ouchy is nervous about his first day of school . . . even though he s the teacher! Will his students like him? Will he be able to find the bathroom? What if he can t remember his students names? Fortunately, his classroom keeps him busy; his students have plenty of their own questions, and the first day of school turns into a great day discussing things like Mr. Ouchy s funny name, how long a minute really lasts, and what everyone wants to learn in the upcoming year things like whistling, playing drums and drawing dinosaurs.
Barbara Hennessy offers a funny twist in this first-dayof- school story.
Author Biography: Barbara Hennessy lives in Arizona.
Paul Meisel lives in Connecticut.
Publishers Weekly
Hennessy's (The Boy Who Cried Wolf) charming story reassures children that they are not the only ones worried about starting school. Mr. Ouchy, a new teacher, expresses concerns that will seem familiar to young readers ("Will I remember everyone's name? Will I be able to find the bathroom?"). Broken into short chapter-like segments, the quick-moving narrative begins with the fellow in the barbershop, getting a haircut on the eve of the first day. Later, he has trouble falling asleep and counts sheep that "start to look like children." Here, Meisel's (Zara's Hats) ink-and-watercolor gouache artwork shows several sheep, many with heads of smiling children, floating above Mr. Ouchy's snoozing head. Highlights from the first day reveal the teacher's aptitude and zest for his job. Not one to get flustered by kids' questions, (e.g., "Your name rhymes with grouchy! Grouchy-Ouchy! Are you a grouchy teacher?"), the unflappable hero answers them truthfully and directly. Readers will be relieved to know that their teachers may be as anxious as they are-and that mothers never stop asking about their children's day at school. Ages 5-up. (July) Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.