A Play's the Thing (Hardcover)

~ (Author, Illustrator) "This is Miss Brilliant..." (more)
Key Phrases: Miss Brilliant

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Starred Review. Grade 1-3–Aliki's latest production explores how an experienced teacher uses a student-led performance of Mary Had a Little Lamb to help one of the children deal with his bullying behavior. When Miss Brilliant's class decides to put on a fractured version of the story poem, José must learn to work with his classmates and overcome his antisocial tendencies. Children will readily identify with the variety of characters and dynamics that populate this class. The students represent a smorgasbord of nationalities and often make references to their cultural heritages. The format of the book resembles comic strips with blocked pictures in various sizes used to contain the action and conversation bubbles. An independent narrative runs beneath these boxes. This text needs the dialogue to flesh out the plot. It is in the conversation bubbles that José's defiant attitude and self-awareness are evident. Using the book with a group may prove difficult because children will not be able to appreciate the nuances of the boy's expressions and his deliberately unkind actions. This is, however, the type of work that children will be drawn to again and again because they recognize their world so aptly captured in both word and art. Each time they revisit, they will find something new in the colorful cartoon illustrations that prove that Aliki knows her audience.–Maura Bresnahan, High Plain Elementary School, Andover, MA
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From Booklist

Gr. 2-4. A graphic novel of sorts for primary-graders. Miss Brilliant, the lively teacher of a multiethnic class, likes to celebrate everything. After a test, she wants to celebrate with a play. The responses range from "A play!" to Jose's "Not another play!" In fact, Mary Had a Little Lamb doesn't seem promising, since, as one student notes, there are only two characters. But part of the fun is spinning ideas off in different directions, so when the play is mounted there are enough characters, costumes, audience members, and refreshments to give everyone a good time. Unfolding in comic-book panels and boxes, the story is full of sprightly energy. Each of the 13 kids in the class is pretty well defined, especially the brooding Jose, who melts when his mother makes it to the play. This isn't for reading aloud as there are too many voices, but children will enjoy it more than once; with so much going on, they'll find something new each time. Ilene Cooper
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins (September 6, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060743557
• ISBN-13: 978-0060743550
• Product Dimensions: 11.3 x 9.2 x 0.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,551,437 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Positive, October 3, 2006

By	read-to-kids - See all my reviews

My [...] old keep asking me to read this book. It's very entertaining. I like the way it provides such a positive image of the classroom ... a creative teacher and children working together to put on a play for the parents along with the "tension" of a bully who learns something from the process. There's a narrative that runs alongside illustrations where characters talk cartoon-style with bubbles. Only on a page or two did I find this a bit difficult to keep up with. I think the details this extra dialog provide make the story more exciting and allow my kids to identify with the characters better. We really enjoy this book.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Too much chatter; best for older kids and strong readers, August 5, 2006

By	Quickhappy "quickhappy" (Big city, big country) - See all my reviews

Although the illustrations are lively, this book confounds its audience with too many details and too much chatter. Every page is replete with chatter from the characters. This constant buzz distracts from the storyline and makes the book a chore to read out loud. It is best suited to strong, older readers who will enjoy the book like a comic book. These children can take the time to absorb all of the myriad details.