Vampires Don't Wear Polka Dots (The Adventures Of The Bailey School Kids) [Paperback]

Debbie Dadey (Author), Marcia Thornton Jones (Author), Marcia T. Jones (Author), John Steven Gurney (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 1991 | Age Range: 7 - 10 years | Series: The Bailey School Kids (Book 1) | Lexile Measure: 600L (What's this?)

The hugely popular early chapter book series re-emerges with a new look! Brand-new eye-catching cover art brings a modern feel to this classic monster series for young readers.

The kids in the third grade at Bailey Elementary are so hard to handle that all of their teachers have quit. But their new teacher, Mrs. Jeepers, is different to say the least. She's just moved from the Transylvanian Alps and she seems to have some strange powers that help her deal with these mischief-makers. Her methods may be a little unconventional, but, then again, Mrs. Jeepers may be just what the Bailey School kids need.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Debbie Dadey is the bestselling co-author of THE ADVENTURES OF THE BAILEY SCHOOL KIDS series, along with writing partner Marcia Thornton Jones. Debbie has also written many books of her own, including the SWAMP MONSTER IN THIRD GRADE series and THE WORST NAME IN THIRD GRADE. She lives and writes in Fort Collins, Colorado, with her family.

Marcia Thornton Jones is co-author of the bestselling THE ADVENTURES OF THE BAILEY SCHOOL KIDS series, along with single titles like CHAMP. She has been writing for Scholastic for almost twenty years! Marcia lives and writes in Lexington, Kentucky, with her husband and their two cats.

Product Details

• Age Range: 7 - 10 years
  
• Paperback: 80 pages
• Publisher: Scholastic Paperbacks (January 1, 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 059043411X
• ISBN-13: 978-0590434119
• Product Dimensions: 7.4 x 5.3 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.1 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #33,804 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Marcia Thornton Jones is the author of more than 125 books including RATFINK, CHAMP, GODZILLA ATE MY HOMEWORK LEPRECHAUN ON THE LOOSE, and THE TALE OF JACK FROST. She is the co-author of the writing guide, STORY SPARKERS, and seven best-selling children's series including "Keyholders", "The Adventures of the Bailey School Kids", "Bailey City Monsters", "The Bailey School Kids Junior Chapter Books", "Ghostville Elementary", "Trplet Trouble", and "The Barkley School for Dogs." Her books have been honored and recognized by The Children's Top 100 Books, Children's Choice Award List, Publisher's Weekly Bestsellers list, The Elementary Library Book Award (ELBA), the Humane Society KIND Honor Book list. She is a proud recipient of the Milner Award and is listed as a top 100 author by the Educational Paperback Association.

Besides writing, Marcia enjoys presenting at schools and conferences. As a veteran teacher with 25 years of experience, she easily relates the importance of writing and reading to students of all ages.

Marcia was born in Joliet, IL but has spent most of her life in Lexington, KY. She currently lives in Lexington with her husband, Stephen, and their two cats. To find out more about Marcia, visit her web site at www.marciatjones.com.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars First in a fun series February 6, 2001

By Chess Heart VINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback

In Vampires Don't Wear Polka-Dots, we are introduced to the soon-to-be-very-odd world of Bailey Elementary School. As our saga opens, the third grade has successfully managed to drive their teacher crazy. Legend has it she has left for the remotest parts of Alaska. Eddie, the class prankster, is thrilled. Not only has he made this class too hot to handle, it means that a NEW teacher is soon to come in!! Ahhh, fresh blood!! (so to speak!)

Well, Bailey Elementary had no idea what they were in for. Their new teacher is a tall, red-haired woman with "eyes the color of lime Kool-Aid". She's also Transylvanian and an absolutely no-nonsense sort of teacher. Most students are immediately intimidated by her thick accent and piercing stare, and almost immediately all students calm down and become the sort of dream students most teachers wish for.

Almost all, that is. Let us not forget about Eddie, who is determined to make sure that the room is run according to HIS adjenda, not hers. At least that's his plan. Of course, Ms. Jeepers has her OWN ideas of how a class should be run.

Suffice it to say that strange and sometimes creepy things begin to happen in class. All the wonderful tricks Eddie tries to play just somehow *don't work*, and there's no good reason why not. Indeed, sometimes tricks that should work perfectly well suddenly defy all laws of physics and logic--like things thrown suddenly changing direction and flying *back* at the thrower-- and, what's more, only when Ms. J is rubbing that strange, glowing brooch she always wears...

As of this writing, there's over 30 Bailey School Kids books, each with a "Don't" title, like "Ghosts Don't Eat Potato Chips" and "Werewolves Don't Go to Summer Camp". What sets each one apart and makes each worth reading is a light blend of camp and creepiness. The kids throw insults back and forth at each other, and the pace of the book is quick enough to keep even the most jaded reader interested. Yet, the books have moments of real creepiness; finding a coffin-sized box in the basement of Ms. J's house, for example.

What makes the books even more enjoyable is the lack of concrete evidence one way or the other regarding the new, odd character. Maybe Ms. J really IS a vampire, maybe she's not. Maybe there really IS a werewolf at summer camp, maybe there isn't. Quick-witted children and students can easily argue either side of the coin.

Less frightening than the Goosebumps books, this series is a great choice for early readers who are looking to have their spines tickled, but not necessarily completely shaken up. It's also an excellent choice for reluctant readers and children who transitioning from picture to chapter books.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A GREAT READ! February 15, 2000

By A Customer

Format:Paperback

this book is so funny and scary I love this book I first noticed it in my library and a friend reccomended it to me and I ended up reading all of them. I love all of the baily school kid books.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Second Best book I ever read February 19, 2004

A Kid's Review

Format:Paperback

This book is about 5 kids who think their new teacher is a vampire. It is a little scary but very good and whenever their teachers brooch glows it means she is very mad. I read this book in two hours it was so good.