Tuesday, June 8, 2021

Rescuing Mrs. Birdley by Aaron Reynolds, illustrated by Emma Reynolds

 Miranda, an adorably round-faced girl with light brown skin and an explosion of brown curls, loves nature shows. She especially likes the Nature Joe Animal Show, starring a brown-skinned man with curly black hair, and eagerly watches him helping animals and returning them to their natural habitats, where they will be safe and happy.

So, naturally, when she sees her beloved teacher Mrs. Birdley has escaped from her natural habitat, school, to wander the wilds of the grocery store, she knows just what to do... Hilarity ensues as Miranda lays traps with low-cal yoghurt, lurks by the lobster tank, and pounces from high shelves. Mrs. Birdley, a white woman with a brown bun and cheery yellow coat, may be quick and clever, but she's no match for Miranda, who has practiced for just this moment. Having safely returned (and locked in) Mrs. Birdley to her natural habitat, Miranda is ready for her next challenge... Principal Canklestout!

The simple backgrounds of the grocery store are goofily transmuted into jungle and wild forest backgrounds, so Mrs. Birdley examines alfalfa sprouts in a green corridor or steps over Miranda's traps while Miranda hides in an indoor shrubbery.

Verdict: A hilarious take on the old shock of kids' seeing their teachers outside of school, this is sure to raise giggles in storytime and from adults as well.

ISBN: 9781534427044; Published 2020 by Simon and Schuster; Borrowed from another library in my consortium; Purchased for the library

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