Mrs. Armitage and the Big Wave [Hardcover]

Quentin Blake (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: K and up

Surf’s up! Mrs. Armitage and her dog, Breakspear, paddle out to surf the Big Wave. Soon the kindly Mrs. Armitage notices that Breakspear’s little legs are getting tired--so she swims off and returns with an inflatable desert island for him to rest on. Then she notices that Breakspear looks a little hot--so she swims off again and brings back an umbrella. Soon this silly pair is loaded down with flags, a horn, megaphones, and lots of other gear. What will they do when the Big Wave finally arrives?

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 3AA riotous day ensues as Mrs. Armitage and her little dog go surfing. Waiting for the big wave is boring, hot, and maybe even dangerous so the woman makes frequent trips to shore for a float, sun hats, burgers and dog biscuits, a windsock, flags, a horn, and a spear (in case of sharks). Finally the big wave comesAbut Mrs. Armitage spots a little girl in trouble. Of course, the resourceful surfer manages to snag the girl's swimsuit, rescue her, and get a great ride. After a celebration, its time for another go. Blake's exuberant, detailed, and comical watercolors fill this surfing adventure with fun. A lively choice for a summer storytime, this is a laugh-aloud tale for intergenerational sharingAeven for those who won't be catching waves themselves.AAnne Connor, Los Angeles Public Library
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Ages 4^-7. After arriving at the beach with a surfboard, Mrs. Armitage and her dog, Breakspear, swim out and wait for the Big Wave. But Breakspear's legs get tired paddling, so Mrs. Armitage swims back to shore to buy him an inflatable island. After more waiting, she decides that they need a hat and an umbrella for protection against the sun, so she swims back to get them. More trips are needed to procure a good stock of provisions, a wind sock, a string of flags, a horn, and a megaphone. When the Big Wave finally comes, they ride it in style and rescue a little girl named Miranda on their way to shore. The sunlit colors of Blake's palette, the carefree informality of his ink drawings, and the mannered formality of Mrs. Armitage's speech make this a treat to read aloud. Children will want to stop and savor the double-page spread showing the wonderful, impossible, inevitable triumph of Mrs. Armitage, Breakspear, and Miranda as they do the Waikiki flip under the curl of the Big Wave. Pair this with M. K. Brown's Let's Go Swimming with Mr. Sillypants (1992) for a wacky story hour. Carolyn Phelan

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Harcourt Children's Books (April 15, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0152016422
• ISBN-13: 978-0152016425
• Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 8.1 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,565,407 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My kids can't wait to see what will happen next!, September 22, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Mrs. Armitage and the Big Wave (Hardcover)

This book cleverly builds suspense and fun with each page. Ms. Armitage is not your stereotypical surfer by any means, and the more unusual she becomes, the more you like her. The illustrations are delightful, too.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Mrs. Armitage and the Big Wave, March 12, 2003

By 

Colin Metcalfe (North Vancouver, British Columbia Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mrs.Armitage and the Big Wave (Paperback)

A great story that my 2 1/2 daughter LOVES. She can virtually recite the entire book and really enjoys the characters. Breakspear is a great addition too, especially when he's towed behind her long board!

4.0 out of 5 stars Good, silly fun, June 13, 2011

By 

Jason Redd (Helena, AL United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mrs. Armitage and the Big Wave (Hardcover)

My 7 y/o daughter thought this book was hilarious. The progressively sillier narrative keeps you smiling and guessing though the whole book. Not a long book, it took perhaps 15 minutes to read and made for a fun way to close out the day; we'll certainly read it again!