Ms. Bitsy Bat's Kindergarten [Hardcover]

Pamela Duncan Edwards (Author), Henry Cole (Illustrator)

Book Description

Grade Level: P and up

Boy genius Hubert Horatio Bartle Bobton-Trent-H for short- is the answer to his rich parents' prayers. He is their dear companion, their fiercest board game adversary, and their frequent guest at parties. But this prodigy's parents don't share his knack at accounting-and they can't imagine ever running out of money. Will Hubert be able to save the Bobton-Trent's fabulous estate - or might they be just as happy without it, after all? With exuberant collage illustrations and a hilarious text, award-winning author and illustrator Lauren Child has created an irreverent story about the true value of money and the dividends of happiness.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The collaborators behind Some Smug Slug join forces to deliver this light look at how several animals' anxieties get stirred up when a new teacher begins on the second day of kindergarten. Mr. Fox has to stay home to care for his newborn kits, so competent Ms. Bitsy Bat takes over. She greets and quickly discerns the concerns of her wide-eyed, backpack-wearing pupils. Included in the cast of classroom characters is food-loving Groundhog, worried about his snacks ("Mr. Fox gave us chocolate-chip cookies... I bet this new teacher will give us yucky carrot sticks") and brainy Possum ("I bet this new teacher won't even know how smart I am"). The wise and patient Ms. Bat smoothes out the hurdles, recognizing the needs of each of her charges. While the humor of the typecast pupils' reactions may be lost on youngest readers, there is plenty to enjoy in the cheery, sympathetically rendered illustrations, from the animals' animated expressions to the slapstick frenzy when a mischievous bee bursts onto the scene. A somewhat staged ending wraps up the reassuring story. Parents and students alike can only hope for a teacher as perceptive and flexible as Ms. Bitsy Bat. Ages 4-7. (Sept.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-K–Possum, Mole, Mouse, Snake, and Rabbit are apprehensive on the second day of school when they discover that they will have a substitute teacher. The children have an enjoyable day even though the sub is not the one they expected. Done in a palette of bright primary colors, Cole's detailed illustrations fill the pages. Questioning looks on Groundhog's and Rabbit's faces show the confusion they feel as they wonder if Ms. Bitsy Bat can be as resourceful as Mr. Fox in solving problems such as losing their eyeglasses or sitting in a seat that is too small. However, readers may wonder how attached these new kindergartners could have been to Mr. Fox whom they only met the previous day. Kindergartners will be pleased with the successful conclusion. A supplemental resource if more first-day-of-school books are needed.–Blair Christolon, Prince William Public Library System, Manassas, VA
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Hyperion (September 2, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786806699
• ISBN-13: 978-0786806690
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 9.1 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,335,018 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Pamela Duncan Edwards grew up in the Wirral, but has spent most of her adult life in the USA. She worked as a children's librarian before becoming a writer and is now the bestselling author of over 30 children's books.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars A lovely, recommended pick for ages beyond the kindergarten range, January 14, 2006

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Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ms. Bitsy Bat's Kindergarten (Hardcover)

Pamela Duncan Edward's Ms. Bitsy Bat's Kindergarten is a lovely, recommended pick for ages beyond the kindergarten range. Henry Cole's fun animal drawings capture a new teacher at the kindergarten and the adjustment process which comes for the entire class. Can a bat who sleeps during the day and eats insects satisfy a mixed animal classroom? Very highly recommended: the resourceful Ms. Bitsy Bat has an answer for every problem.