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Joanna Nadin is a winner of the Fantastic Book Award, the Surrey Book Award, Blue Peter 'Book of the Month' and Radio 4 Open Book 'Book of the Year'. She has been shortlisted for the Booktrust Best Book Award and Queen of Teen, and Spies, Dad, Big Lauren and Me was selected for the Richard and Judy Book Club. In 2011, Penny Dreadful is a Magnet for Disaster was shortlisted for the Roald Dahl Funny Prize. Joe All Alone was nominated for the 2016 C ILIP C arnegie Medal. She writes the Flying Fergus series with Sir Chris Hoy. Joanna previously worked as a policy writer for the Labour Party and a special adviser to the Prime Minister. She continues to freelance as a speechwriter and editor, and lectures in Creative Writing at Bath Spa University.
Click here to read more about JOANNA NADIN and her writing.
A World Book Day 2022 Mini Book | Head teacher Mrs Bottomley-Blunt thinks 4B is the WORST CLASS IN THE WORLD. She says school is not about footling or fiddle-faddling or FUN. It is about LEARNING and it is high time 4B tried harder to EXCEL at it. But best friends Stanley and Manjit won't let that stop them. They have a FOOLPROOF PLAN to write the most FUN and DANGEROUS book EVER. It's LITERALLY going to be the most OUTSTANDING (and dangerous) World Book Day! Contains superglue, wild animals and a very daring rescue! Perfect for fans of Horrid Henry.
This is the third book about Stanley Bradshaw and his classmates in 4B, also known as ‘LITERALLY the worst class in the world’ by their headmistress Mrs Bottomley-Blunt. Once again, Stanley and co indulge in the sort of behaviour that tests their teacher Mr Nidgett to the limit, whether dealing with an outbreak of nits (a great way of being sent home as Stanley and his friend Manjit see it, thereby escaping Maths Test Tuesday) or facing the terrible dares set by new girl Bridget Pickersgill. By the end of the book, Mrs Bottomley-Blunt’s laminated list of rules has grown to 125 and includes: ‘no eating Very Dead Flies’, ‘no painting yourself blue’, and ‘no claiming Mrs Bottomley-Blunt is a MOOGOL’. The stories are perfect for children reading independently, not just because of their short sentences, many pictures and neat repetition of words and phrases, but because they are absolutely hilarious, and also wonderfully true to life. Full of the kind of absurdity that young children generate without even trying, they’re full of joy as well as humour.
Perfectly-pitched for its intended age group, Joanna Nadin’s No Man’s Land is a mightily thought-provoking, utterly gripping, and empathy-inspiring story of a ten-year-old boy’s bravery in the face of the terrifying changes that come in the wake of an impending war in far-right Albion, a dystopian imagining of post-Brexit Britain. It started “when the Albioneers won the election. Maybe before, even - before I was born. When England decided it didn’t like Europe any more.” That’s how endearing Al surmises the situation as things worsen in Albion - his non-British, non-white friends are being compelled to leave this intolerant, racist land, and war is on the horizon. As a result, Al and his little brother Sam are sent to safety by their dad, to Kernow in the country, where a community of mainly women eke out survival. While Sam believes this is all part of a game, Al is angry at being sent away, and desperate to be reunited with his dad by his imminent birthday. But time sweeps by, and war is certain. There are valuable lessons to be learned from Al’s realisation that the women of Kernow are, in fact, the true heroines of the piece - “there were different ways to resist… I saw them then. The women in the kitchen, whispering, drinking, planning. Not bad things. But not nothing either. Providing a life for anyone who needed it.” In Al’s words, “not all heroes wear capes. And not all heroes carry guns.” Powerfully prescient stuff, with wonderfully-drawn characters.
January 2021 Book of the Month | It is their headmistress, Mrs Bottomley-Blunt, who describes 4B (repeatedly) as the ‘worst class in the world’, and you can see why she does: even when they are made playground monitors, 4B just can’t seem to avoid causing mayhem and the most logical-sounding decisions (stay in the toilets all break to avoid getting into trouble) result in calamity, or as Mrs Bottomley-Blunt would have it, ‘a hoo-ha’. It’s the delicious combination of wrong decisions, sincerely taken, and the scale of the hoo-has caused that make the stories such fabulously entertaining reading. There are two self-contained episodes in each book and the speedy narration, cleverly placed repeating phrases, short chapters and wonderfully lively illustrations by Rikin Parekh, make them perfect for newly independent readers. They are such a treat to read aloud though, it would be a shame not to make this bedtime reading so that all the family can enjoy the fun. Pamela Butchart (Wigglesbottom Primary) and Matt Brown (Mutant Zombies Cursed my School Trip) also write extremely funny school-set stories that revel in mischief caused inadvertently.
It’s headmistress Mrs Bottomley-Blunt who declares 4B to be LITERALLY the Worst Class In The World, and she may have a point. After all, there was the school trip to the zoo when Harvey Barlow smuggled a penguin back on the bus, the time they tried to tunnel to Finland, and the Show and Tell incident with Manjit’s dog, Killer… Everyone has bad luck though, and after reading this very funny book, most people will agree with Stanley Bradshaw and decide they wouldn’t have 4B any other way. Stanley’s descriptions of their antics, recounted in two separate stories, are highly entertaining: Joanna Nadin captures the chaos and excitement of primary school perfectly, and young readers will recognise the setting and the characters, not least long-suffering teacher Mr Nidgett. Short sentences, lots of pictures and clever repetition of words and phrases plus the lively action make this a perfect first chapter book. One to recommend to fans of Patricia Butchart’s Wigglesbottom Primary series ready to move onto something more challenging.
Book Band: Lime Ideal for Ages 6+ | This new series from Bloomsbury Education is geared at turning children into independent readers. Not only will the books give youngsters a boost into solo reading, they’ll also make it easier and more enjoyable for the adults helping children as they come with useful tips and notes. The books are short and divided into chapters thereby breaking the story into manageable chunks. The adventures are lively and fast-moving though told via short sentences and carefully chosen vocabulary: some words are highlighted in the Tips for Grown Ups section on the inside cover, so that children can learn them and their meanings. Full colour illustrations amplify the action and make the books really attractive to look at too. Written by favourite authors, these are well worth collecting and are just the thing for children ready for reading.
In a nutshell: story of a boy and a dog that will tug the heartstrings When Billy Wild finds a greyhound hiding in his garden shed it feels like a miracle, and as Billy is already writing to God (holiday homework), maybe it really is. Animals are important agents of change in children’s literature and the arrival of Dog, as the greyhound becomes known, has a huge impact. Billy is sure that Dog will melt his father’s heart, which she eventually does, but she brings Billy, his dad and his brothers all closer and helps them to be more able to cope with the loss of the boys’ mum too. Nadin sets out unashamedly to pull on the heartstrings and succeeds completely, but she also fills the story with humour, and a real sense of life as it is lived. This is one to recommend to readers who enjoyed Millions by Frank Cottrell Boyce, another brilliantly funny and beautifully written book about love, loss and family. ~ Andrea Reece
Asha has big dreams. She wants to be the youngest ever Prime Minister and, when inspirational teacher Mr McCardle gives her his precious copy of S.E. Hinton’s The Outsiders, she wants to write her own books. But Asha’s life is no dream. Once an “invincible” barrister, her mum lost her job after falling ill and Asha’s back at her old school in Peckham. She’s also back with her old friend Patience. “Misfits, both of us. The fat Christian and the new girl”, Asha remarks, while longing to be accepted by beautiful, bold Angel. But things really unravel for Asha when she accepts Angel’s Black Dare - “whatever we say, you just got to do it” – and becomes caught in a web of lies that could hurt everyone she cares for.Featuring characters from the author’s Carnegie Medal nominated Joe All Alone, this is an insightful, gripping, character-driven novel about peer pressure and the conflict between wanting to fit in and standing up for yourself. As Asha realises, “telling lies can ruin lives. But take it from me, telling the truth’s no easy ride.” As the novel builds to a tense, emotional climax, you’ll be on the edge of your seat willing Asha to do the right thing. ~ Joanne Owen Click here to read why Joanna Nadin believes books are important beacons for children.
When thirteen-year-old Joe is left behind in Peckham while his mum flies to Spain on holiday, he decides to treat it as an adventure, and a welcome break from Dean, her latest boyfriend. Joe begins to explore his neighbourhood, making a tentative friendship with Asha, a fellow fugitive hiding out at her grandfather's flat. But when the food and money run out, his mum doesn't come home, and the local thugs catch up with him, Joe realises time is running out too, and makes a decision that will change his life forever. Deeply poignant, deceptively simple, this book will cut the reader to the bone almost without their realising it. Imogen Russell-Williams, Teens On Moon Lane
More tales of mishap and misadventure from the incorrigible but hilarious Penny Dreadful. This is the 7th title in the Penny Dreadful series and includes three stories in one book. The first, Penny Dreadful is a Magnet for Disaster, was shortlisted for the Roald Dahl Funny Prize.
Laugh-out-loud with the delightful and aptly named Penny Dreadful! Every child who has felt that awful things just unexpectedly happen around them will love Penny and catastrophes that she just can’t help! And none of them are her fault, of course. In these three short stories Penny comes up with some ingenious ideas as she tries to put right some of things she have happened. It’s easy to see why her father gave her the nickname - Penny Dreadful! The first Penny Dreadful book, Penny Dreadful is a Magnet for Disaster, was shortlisted for the Roald Dahl Funny Prize 2011. Click here to see the whole series.
Laugh out loud funny from the first page, The Meaning of Life, will be devoured by teenagers and adults in equal measure just as the Diaries of Adrian Mole hit the spot for a different generation. A spot-on teenage voice with a sharp and witty eye for teenage emotions, so good it’s hard to believe it’s not written by a teenager. Rachel's back and this time she's in love! She's finally found her ONE and is sure to have a brilliant and romantic relationship with no hiccups at all ... Well that's what she thinks ... the reality may be a little different! Not suitable for younger readers.
February 2013 Book of the Month Three lively stories for newly- confident readers matched by eye-catching illustrations are gathered up in this one volume. Of course, Dreadful is not Penny’s real name but it fits her well, as these stories about how she decides to track down a vampire, give her miserable neighbour a makeover and ends up being a record breaker easily demonstrate. Attractively presented and fun to read.
Penny can’t help but attract mischief, no matter where she goes. Follow Penny’s disastrous misadventures in her fourth book, featuring more brilliantly funny stories coupled with some laugh out loud illustrations – Penny Dreadful is definitely a national treasure in the making! To view all the Penny Dreadful titles click here.
March 2012 Book of the Month. Wherever Penny goes chaos tends to ensue particularly when she tries to put all her 'brilliant ideas' into practice! With four great stories in this, the third of the Penny Dreadful titles there will be no shortage of laugh-out-loud fun to enjoy. Interspersed throughout with some great black and white illustrations, this is sure to appeal greatly to children aged 6+. But don't just take our word for it - this is what some readers think: 'Penny Dreadful stories are very exciting. It is a brilliant series' Polly, aged 10 'I wanted to read on and on and on...it was soooo good' Matt, aged 8 (yes boys love Penny Dreadful too) 'I liked Penny because she's naughty, but in a way she is also funny' Millie, aged 8 'A hilariously brilliant read' Anastasia, aged 11 ' I think Penny Dreadful is, well, dreadfully funny. PS I'm turning a little dreadful too' Islay, aged 8 I love Penny Dreadful, she is brilliant and very funny' Iona, aged 6 The first Penny Dreadful book, Penny Dreadful is a Magnet for Disaster, was shortlisted for the Roald Dahl Funny Prize 2011. Click here to see the whole series.
When sixteen year old Billie Paradise inherits her grandmother's house, it's a fairytale come true. She and her family move from their rented flat in London to start a new life by the sea. Maybe Billie can even find the father she's never met. But moving back to her mum's childhood home, Billie uncovers long-buried secrets.
Side-splittingly funny stories for young girls who are reading confidently. Penny Dreadful (not her real name) creates havoc wherever she goes and whatever she does! She has some really brilliant ideas, the only trouble is, they often seem to go horribly wrong… Propelled by a great sense of humour, these highly-illustrated stories are perfect for anyone who enjoys a laugh. Joanna Nadin's Penny Dreadful is a wickedly funny creation and worthy contender to Horrid Henry.
The sensational, laugh-out-loud new stand-alone novel from Joanna Nadin, author of the bestselling Rachel Riley novels. Perfect for 10+ readers it's written in diary form and it's the story of Buttercup who has to cope with an entirely dysfunctional family and a best friend who's more than a bit irrational. You can also read the new blog that Joanna has set up with 30 other authors who write fiction for girls aged 10-14 - click here to visit girlsheartbooks.com .
A fantastically fat and sparkly bind-up of two riotous Rachel Riley books ... Back to Life and The Facts of Life. You can also read a Rachel Riley blog - click here.
Shortlisted for the Roald Dahl Funny Prize 2011. A Lovereading4kids 'Great Read' you may have missed 2011 selection. A bundle of awfulness! Penny Dreadful (not her real name) has an unfortunate habit of creating mayhem wherever she goes and whatever she does! Penny has some really brilliant ideas. The only trouble is, they often seem to go horribly wrong… Propelled by a great sense of humour, these highly-illustrated stories are perfect for anyone who enjoys a laugh.
A Lovereading4kids 'Great Read' you may have missed 2011 selection. Lovereading4kids comment: Billy Grimshaw thinks the world of his dad. He hasn’t seen him for ages, but Billy knows he’ll be home as soon as he can get away from his important spying business in London. In the meantime, Billy is grappling with the disastrous news that his mum is going to marry Dave. As he makes secret plans to stop the wedding, Billy’s life gets more and more complicated, not helped by the classroom bully or even his friend, Big Lauren … A message from Joanna Nadin: So, you’re about to meet Billy Grimshaw – Zach Black obsessive, lover of jaffa cakes, and nemesis of his mum’s boyfriend Dave.The thing about Billy is he’s a bit different. Different to you, and most of your friends. I mean, his best friend is a girl called Big Lauren for a start. Plus, when things get tricky, he has to count his glow stars to make sure there are still fifty there.But, I bet if you thought about it, there’s some stuff about you that’s different too. And it doesn’t make you an oddball. It just makes makes you you. And it makes Billy a bit of a hero, in the end.So I hope the book will make you laugh, and maybe cry, and most of all, remember that we’re all weird, and brilliant. Just like Billy Grimshaw.
Genuinely laugh-out-loud funny from the first page, this double helping of Joanna Nadin’s brilliant funny and immensely engaging protagonist Rachel Riley featuring The Meaning of Life and My (not so) simple Life, will be devoured by teenagers and adults in equal measure just as the Diaries of Adrian Mole hit the spot for a different generation. A spot-on teenage voice with a sharp and witty eye for teenage emotions, so good it’s hard to believe it’s not written by a teenager. In fact, Joanna is a former political speech writer and adviser to Tony Blair! If you know someone who loves the novels by Sue Limb or Louise Rennison then you know they’ll love the teenage world of Rachel Riley and her friends and foes. No teenager should miss it. Definitely the heiress to Queen of Teen if not already the Queen of Teen.
In this, another brilliant installment of Rachel Riley’s hilarious diaries, join her in her no-nonsense, fact-based approach to life. Just when she thought she had finally found her knight in shining skinny jeans i.e. the ONE, an accidental snog with part-time rock god Justin Statham puts the skids on it. So enough is enough! It's time for Rachel to wake up and smell the coffee (or at least the hot chocolate) and forget about romance and fairytale happy endings. Rachel commits to concentrate only on cold hard facts from now on. Perhaps new grown-up-ness will even win the heart of fabulous older man . . . But nothing in Rachel’s life ever goes to plan or does it this time?
More hilarious exploits from the angst ridden teen diarist Rachel Riley. Fans of Louise Rennison’s character Georgia Nicolson will love this as will all those who have enjoyed the ups and down and ups again of Rachel’s life to date. To view other titles in the series click here.
Jude must get away. She has to ace her exams and an audition at a prestigious drama school or she'll never escape her small town life and follow her dream of becoming an actor. But then her best friend Stella returns, bringing excitement and danger to Jude's dull existence. For the first time, she can be who she wants to be. But as her life spirals out of control, Jude uncovers a dark secret. Will Stella save her or destroy her?
A double edition of Rachel's first two diaries - My So-Called Life: A breath of fresh air in teen girls’ fiction and one of the funniest things we’ve read in the Lovereading office this year. Tipped to be the Adrian Mole for today’s teenage girls, My So-Called Life charts the side-splitting consequences of one girl’s quest to inject more drama into her tragically normal life. It captures brilliantly in laugh-out-loud diary style the angst of any teenager. A definite rival for bestselling teen novelists Louise Rennison and Sue Limb. The Life of Riley: The deepest desires and greatest fantasies of a teenager are hilariously recorded in this no-holds-barred diary. Can Rachel, the author of the diary, find the boy of her dreams? Her search will make parents and teenagers laugh out loud.
The further escapades of the engaging and immensely funny Rachel Riley - an Adrian Mole style character of today's teenage world. Written in diary style, this book has all the necessary hallmarks to be a real page-turner. Not just funny but genuinely laugh-out-loud funny, with every page ringing true and having you in stitches. No teenager should miss it. Definitely the heiress to Queen of Teen if not already the Queen of Teen. To view the other titles featuring Rachel Riley and to find out more about the author, who once upon a time was a speechwriter for Tony Blair, then click here. Or click here to find out more about Rachel Riley herself in her very own website!
Laugh out loud funny from the first page, The Meaning of Life, will be devoured by teenagers and adults in equal measure just as the Diaries of Adrian Mole hit the spot for a different generation. A spot-on teenage voice with a sharp and witty eye for teenage emotions, so good it’s hard to believe it’s not written by a teenager. In fact, Joanna is a former political speech writer and adviser to Tony Blair! If you know someone who loves the novels by Sue Limb or Louise Rennison then you know they’ll love the teenage world of Rachel Riley and her friends and foes. Be sure to check out the other two in the series, The Life of Riley and My So-Called Life. Or click here to find out more about Rachel Riley herself in her very own website!
The deepest desires and greatest fantasies of a teenager are hilariously recorded in this no-holds-barred diary. Can Rachel, the author of the diary, find the boy of her dreams? Her search will make parents and teenagers laugh out loud. This book is the sequel to My So-Called Life. Click here to find out more about Rachel Riley herself in her very own website!
A breath of fresh air in teen girls’ fiction and one of the funniest things we’ve read in the Lovereading office this year. Tipped to be the Adrian Mole for today’s teenage girls, My So-Called Life charts the side-splitting consequences of one girl’s quest to inject more drama into her tragically normal life. It captures brilliantly in laugh-out-loud diary style the angst of any teenager. A definite rival for bestselling teen novelists Louise Rennison and Sue Limb. Finally, don’t panic when you’ve finished this one for Rachel’s story will continue in the sequel The Life Of Riley. Click here to find out more about Rachel Riley herself in her very own website!
Meet Rachel Riley ... she lives in a normal house, with a normal family, goes to a normal school, with her normal friends (or so she thinks!) ... but all that is about to change as Rachel goes on a mission to inject some excitement into her life, with hilarious results!
'Deliciously silly, with hilarious catchphrases... a great cheer-up book' The Guardian 'HILARIOUS! Proper laughs!' Pamela Butchart ______________________________ A laugh-out-loud young fiction series from bestselling author Joanna Nadin, perfect for fans of Horrid Henry. Head teacher Mrs Bottomley-Blunt thinks 4B is the WORST CLASS IN THE WORLD. She says school is not about footling or fiddle-faddling or FUN. It is about LEARNING and it is high time 4B tried harder to EXCEL at it. But best friends Stanley and Manjit didn't LITERALLY mean to swap Killer for a War of Wizard's playing card and set him loose in school. And they really didn't LITERALLY mean to EXPLODE fizzy foam all over the classroom and all over Mrs Bottomley-Blunt. These things just happened, even though they had FOOLPROOF plans to get away with it all. Highly illustrated and featuring two hilarious madcap adventures in one book, these stories are just right for children ready for their first chapter books.
Collins Big Cat supports every primary child on their reading journey from phonics to fluency. Top authors and illustrators have created fiction and non-fiction books that children love to read. Levelled for guided and independent reading, each book includes ideas to support reading. Teaching and assessment support and eBooks are also available. Mina May Malek wants nothing more than to become a BMX champ like her brother Ayman. The trouble is, she's been ill her parents won't let her, so there's only one way to do it ... in disguise! Topaz/Band 13 books offer longer and more demanding reads for children to investigate and evaluate. Text type: A contemporary story Ideas for reading in the back of the book provide practical support and stimulating activities.
A hilarious story, ideal for children practising reading at home or in school. By Joanna Nadin, author of the World Book Day book The Worst Class in the World in Danger. Manjit is going to his new friend Leon's house for tea. There's lots to be worried about... What if they have a scary dog? What if Leon's dad is a dragon? But worst of all, what if they're having pancakes for tea! This relatable comedy about new friendships from prolific children's writer Joanna Nadin is perfect for Key Stage 1 (KS1) children who are learning to read by themselves. It features lively colour illustrations by Ana Gomez, and a storyline that encourages picky eaters to try new foods. Bloomsbury Young Readers are the perfect way to get children reading, with book-banded stories by brilliant authors like Julia Donaldson. With gorgeous colour illustrations and inside cover notes to help children get the most out of stories, this series is ideal for home and school. Guided reading notes written by the Centre for Literacy in Primary Education (CLPE) are available at bloomsburyguidedreading.com. 'Every child needs a Bloomsbury Young Reader.' (Julie-Ann McCulloch, Teacher) Turquoise Book Band. Ideal for ages 6+.
This is the third book about Stanley Bradshaw and his classmates in 4B, also known as ‘LITERALLY the worst class in the world’ by their headmistress Mrs Bottomley-Blunt. Once again, Stanley and co indulge in the sort of behaviour that tests their teacher Mr Nidgett to the limit, whether dealing with an outbreak of nits (a great way of being sent home as Stanley and his friend Manjit see it, thereby escaping Maths Test Tuesday) or facing the terrible dares set by new girl Bridget Pickersgill. By the end of the book, Mrs Bottomley-Blunt’s laminated list of rules has grown to 125 and includes: ‘no eating Very Dead Flies’, ‘no painting yourself blue’, and ‘no claiming Mrs Bottomley-Blunt is a MOOGOL’. The stories are perfect for children reading independently, not just because of their short sentences, many pictures and neat repetition of words and phrases, but because they are absolutely hilarious, and also wonderfully true to life. Full of the kind of absurdity that young children generate without even trying, they’re full of joy as well as humour.
Tommy and Leon are nervous about parents' evening. But Tommy isn't worried about his classwork or his test scores, he's worried about Dad. Tommy's trying as best he can to help his dad, but will his efforts be enough? What will happen at parents' evening if Tommy can't help? Reflect is a series of emotionally powerful fiction and non-fiction with realistic settings, carefully crafted to promote thoughtful discussions and develop higher-level reading comprehension. Written by top authors and developed with Literacy expert Nikki Gamble, these are books you can trust to engage, entertain and support children's personal development and wellbeing. The books are finely levelled, making it easy to match every child to books with the right depth and complexity, and helping them to progress. Each book contains inside cover notes to help children deepen their understanding and support their reading comprehension. Teaching notes on Oxford Owl offer cross-curricular links to Relationships Education and support literacy skills.
Perfectly-pitched for its intended age group, Joanna Nadin’s No Man’s Land is a mightily thought-provoking, utterly gripping, and empathy-inspiring story of a ten-year-old boy’s bravery in the face of the terrifying changes that come in the wake of an impending war in far-right Albion, a dystopian imagining of post-Brexit Britain. It started “when the Albioneers won the election. Maybe before, even - before I was born. When England decided it didn’t like Europe any more.” That’s how endearing Al surmises the situation as things worsen in Albion - his non-British, non-white friends are being compelled to leave this intolerant, racist land, and war is on the horizon. As a result, Al and his little brother Sam are sent to safety by their dad, to Kernow in the country, where a community of mainly women eke out survival. While Sam believes this is all part of a game, Al is angry at being sent away, and desperate to be reunited with his dad by his imminent birthday. But time sweeps by, and war is certain. There are valuable lessons to be learned from Al’s realisation that the women of Kernow are, in fact, the true heroines of the piece - “there were different ways to resist… I saw them then. The women in the kitchen, whispering, drinking, planning. Not bad things. But not nothing either. Providing a life for anyone who needed it.” In Al’s words, “not all heroes wear capes. And not all heroes carry guns.” Powerfully prescient stuff, with wonderfully-drawn characters.
January 2021 Book of the Month | It is their headmistress, Mrs Bottomley-Blunt, who describes 4B (repeatedly) as the ‘worst class in the world’, and you can see why she does: even when they are made playground monitors, 4B just can’t seem to avoid causing mayhem and the most logical-sounding decisions (stay in the toilets all break to avoid getting into trouble) result in calamity, or as Mrs Bottomley-Blunt would have it, ‘a hoo-ha’. It’s the delicious combination of wrong decisions, sincerely taken, and the scale of the hoo-has caused that make the stories such fabulously entertaining reading. There are two self-contained episodes in each book and the speedy narration, cleverly placed repeating phrases, short chapters and wonderfully lively illustrations by Rikin Parekh, make them perfect for newly independent readers. They are such a treat to read aloud though, it would be a shame not to make this bedtime reading so that all the family can enjoy the fun. Pamela Butchart (Wigglesbottom Primary) and Matt Brown (Mutant Zombies Cursed my School Trip) also write extremely funny school-set stories that revel in mischief caused inadvertently.
It’s headmistress Mrs Bottomley-Blunt who declares 4B to be LITERALLY the Worst Class In The World, and she may have a point. After all, there was the school trip to the zoo when Harvey Barlow smuggled a penguin back on the bus, the time they tried to tunnel to Finland, and the Show and Tell incident with Manjit’s dog, Killer… Everyone has bad luck though, and after reading this very funny book, most people will agree with Stanley Bradshaw and decide they wouldn’t have 4B any other way. Stanley’s descriptions of their antics, recounted in two separate stories, are highly entertaining: Joanna Nadin captures the chaos and excitement of primary school perfectly, and young readers will recognise the setting and the characters, not least long-suffering teacher Mr Nidgett. Short sentences, lots of pictures and clever repetition of words and phrases plus the lively action make this a perfect first chapter book. One to recommend to fans of Patricia Butchart’s Wigglesbottom Primary series ready to move onto something more challenging.
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