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Overview
Kaethe Zemach's latest adorable offering is both a sweet school story AND a lesson for little fingers on how to draw!Dudley Ellington tries, but he's just no good at school. Luckily, he has Ms. McCaw as a teacher. She's patient and she never lets other students pick on Dudley. Also, she knows wonderful things -- why stars shine, how plants grow. Dudley thinks Ms. McCaw knows everything.
Then one day, Ms. McCaw tries to draw a simple face on the chalkboard -- and she can't do it! The other kids start to snicker, but Dudley jumps to the rescue and gives his favorite teacher a drawing lesson. With Kaethe Zemach's cheery illustrations showing the way, all little fingers will itch to take up a pencil!
Synopsis
Dudley Ellington tries, but he's just no good at school. Luckily, he has Ms. McCaw as a teacher. She's patient and she never lets other students pick on Dudley. Also, she knows wonderful things -- why stars shine, how plants grow. Dudley thinks Ms. McCaw knows everything.
Then one day, Ms. McCaw tries to draw a simple face on the chalkboard -- and she can't do it! The other kids start to snicker, but Dudley jumps to the rescue and gives his favorite teacher a drawing lesson. With Kaethe Zemach's cheery illustrations showing the way, all little fingers will itch to take up a pencil!
Children's Literature
Ms. McCaw is the best teacher—patient, friendly, and very smart—while her student Dudley is the worst student—does not pay attention, makes paper airplanes in class, and loves to draw. When Ms. McCaw tries to present a lesson about drawing, she finds she cannot draw a face from the side and acts frustrated at the board. This inspires Dudley to step to the front of the class to help her. Dudley and Ms. McCaw "switch places" and Dudley becomes the teacher filling the board with line drawings of faces. Then, Dudley hands his teacher a paper and asks her to draw what she has learned—and she does. The math test is then cancelled and the day is "dedicated to drawing." This colorful and lively picture book may be a great choice for art classes and encouraging reluctant artists to try their hand at drawing. Reviewer: Debra Lampert-Rudman
Editorials
Children's Literature -
Ms. McCaw is the best teacher—patient, friendly, and very smart—while her student Dudley is the worst student—does not pay attention, makes paper airplanes in class, and loves to draw. When Ms. McCaw tries to present a lesson about drawing, she finds she cannot draw a face from the side and acts frustrated at the board. This inspires Dudley to step to the front of the class to help her. Dudley and Ms. McCaw "switch places" and Dudley becomes the teacher filling the board with line drawings of faces. Then, Dudley hands his teacher a paper and asks her to draw what she has learned—and she does. The math test is then cancelled and the day is "dedicated to drawing." This colorful and lively picture book may be a great choice for art classes and encouraging reluctant artists to try their hand at drawing. Reviewer: Debra Lampert-RudmanSchool Library Journal
Gr 1-3
Like Patricia Polacco's Thank You, Mr. Faulkner (Philomel, 1998), this is a book about a teacher who makes a difference in a child's life by recognizing that being good at academics is not the only kind of talent. Dudley struggles in school, but Ms. McCaw is willing to explain things to him again and again. She is patient, nurturing, and smart. When she struggles to draw a profile on the board, however, and gives up, Dudley invites her to take his seat while he shows her and the class how to do it. The teacher doesn't learn instantly, and Dudley patiently demonstrates again and again. Finally Ms. McCaw cancels the math test and declares the rest of the day devoted to art. Because the text is simple and straightforward, the book is a good choice to read aloud, especially with a marker and whiteboard nearby. The pen and watercolor illustrations are expressive and full of energy. With only a few details, Zemach captures the feel of the classroom. A lively choice for any collection.-Donna Cardon, Provo City Library, UT