The Mega Magic Teacher Swap
By Author / Illustrator
Rochelle Humes, Rachel Suzanne
Genre
School Stories
Age range(s)
5+
Publisher
Templar Publishing
ISBN
9781787416017
Format
Paperback / softback
Published
06-08-2020
Synopsis
In the follow-up to Rochelle Humes' bestselling debut, The Mega Magic Hair Swap, Mai discovers that although change might feel scary it can be a good thing. A heart-felt picture book about starting a new year at school which will resonate with young audiences and their parents alike.
When best friends Mai and Rose return to school for a new year, they don't want to leave Mrs Bee, the best teacher ever! With a wish and a some help from My Little Coco, Mai and Rose find themselves back in Mrs Bee's class. They quickly discover that it's less fun without their friends, and they've already learnt these subjects before! When they meet their new teacher, Ms Daly, they quickly find out that change can be a good thing - and they even make a new friend!
Reviews
Joanna
A lovely story that will really support your child's return to school. Every child feels anxiety about returning to school for the new school year; new teachers, new classrooms and sometimes new students. This story really supports and encourages children to understand their anxiety, helps normalise their feelings and helps them to become excited about the new academic year. With the recent pandemic and children having spent six months away from school, children are understandably expressing more feelings of anxiety and Rochelle Humes (author) helps children to process these feelings.
As a parent of children in an early years environment, this book really helped my children remember all the fun they will have and opened a dialogue for us about how they are feeling about going back to school.
The Mega Magic Teacher Swap tells the story of two little girls - Mai and Rose - who absolutely adore their school teacher. As the last day of term arrives, the two girls become anxious and upset as they realise they will leaving their favourite teacher and going somewhere strange. Luckily Mai has a 'magic coconut' that can grant her wishes. She wishes to stay with their teacher forever and so the two girls are transported to a class with the same teacher. But, the two girls soon realise it's not as lovely as they thought it would be; they miss their old classmates, they have done all this work before and they realise they don't like it. The magic coconut comes to the rescue and with a few words of wisdom, transports the girls to their new class and new teacher where they soon realise how fantastic she is and how much fun they will have.
My daughter (aged 5) loves this book. It has big, bright colourful illustrations, hearts and mermaids on the front cover and two very girly girls (one of whom looks exactly like my daughter) who own a magic coconut. There are lots of open discussion opportunities as a parent to discuss how your own child is feeling and discuss their own new teacher - what they will look like, new classroom, activities they will do next year.
The only negative of this book is that is 100% aimed at girls. From the front cover being covered in girly icons, to the fact that both teachers are female, made my son (aged 6) frustrated as he felt this book wasn't for him and the boys in his class.
Aside from this, if you have a daughter aged between 4-6, this is an excellent story to support transition and build excitement for a new school year.
Picture book / Ages 4-6 years / Reviewed by Joanna Hewish, teacher
Suggested Reading Age 3+
