Through the Looking Glass Children's Book Reviews
Miss Smith’s Incredible Storybook
Picture Book
For ages 4 to 6
Penguin, 2003 ISBN: 978-0142402825
Zack is not looking forward to school at all. On this first day of school he is sure that this year is going to be just like last year... boring. Zack and his classmates soon meet their new teacher, Miss Smith. With her short bright red hair, Miss Smith does not look like the other teachers Zack has had. It is only when it is story time that Zack really finds out how different Miss Smith is.
As Miss Smith starts to read from the pages of a big book, the characters from the story leap off the pages and pour into the classroom. The children see pirates, Little Red Riding Hood, and other characters who make story time the best part of the day.
Then, one day Miss Smith is late getting to school and Principal Rittenrotten stands in for her. He begins to read from Miss Smith's big book, and on cue characters start to flow out of the pages. In minutes a princess, a fire-breathing dragon, and a knight on a white horse are in the class room. The Principal flees in terror but the trouble is only just beginning.
Though most of us are not lucky enough to have a book like the special one Miss Smith has, books can still take us on wonderful adventures. We still can meet fantastical characters and visit far off places. The author has simply taken the real-life magic that all books already have to a new level. Bright action-packed illustrations help make this a perfect book to share at story time.
