Teachers Rock!

June 1, 2016
Parr turns his bold, vibrant colors and simple declarative sentences to teachers, looking at what they do and who they are.Doubtless those just beginning school will get a positive view of teachers from Parr's book. How can they help it when teachers do so much? From encouraging creativity and making you laugh to playing games, helping you do all sorts of new things, and taking you on field trips, there is not much that teachers do that isn't covered (one teacher even hands a presumably snotty-nosed student a tissue, and another has paper towels for an accident). One scene is all too true for too many teachers: a smiling teacher stands at the checkout, the register totaling $100, and the text reads, "They make sure students have everything they need." With very few exceptions, Parr's multicolored students (a mix of human, alien, and animal) and teachers sport simple, uniform smiles, even when crying. The teachers are a nice mix of male and female, one is in a wheelchair, and several are in ethnic dress. And Parr addresses that age-old question of where teachers live: "Teachers can be just like you and me" is illustrated with four teachers variously eating, brushing teeth, picking out underwear, and sleeping in a bed with a dog and a cat.Sure to reassure readers nervous about their own teachers-to-be. (Picture book. 3-7)

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August 1, 2016

PreS-Gr 1-A superb selection about teachers and all they do for their students. They teach children new things, inspire creativity, and help them realize their talents. The best ones make kids laugh, provide comfort, and help when it is needed the most. Teachers do their best to make their classrooms feel like they are the greatest place to be. They celebrate events throughout the year, take the class on field trips, and make families feel welcome. Teachers buy supplies and decorations, allow an assortment of creatures for show-and-tell, and assist students with all types of problems. A section at the end of the book helps young ones understand that teachers are regular people who sleep at night, spill things on the floor, brush their teeth, and even buy underwear. As with all of his titles, Parr has included simple and powerful, kid-friendly illustrations. The colors are bright, vivid, and eye-catching. Animal characters help make this book entertaining and truly diverse. VERDICT A fun offering to share with any preschool class.-Barbara Spiri, Southborough Library, MA

Copyright 2016 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

July 1, 2016
"I love my teachers because..." Twenty solid reasons follow, from "Teachers encourage you to be creative" to "Teachers read to you" to "Teachers have lots of celebrations." In his trademark bold-hued cartoony art, Parr's cast of characters features kids and adults with skin colors well off the human spectrum.

(Copyright 2016 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)