About This Book
A parent might reach for this book when their child feels anxious about seeing a teacher or other school authority figure outside of the classroom. In this classic Arthur story, Arthur is horrified to learn his strict teacher, Mr. Ratburn, is moving in with his family while his own roof is repaired. Arthur's fears of non-stop schoolwork and constant judgment give way to surprise and empathy as he discovers his teacher is a real person with hobbies and a sense of humor. For ages 4-8, this book uses gentle humor to normalize the feeling of worlds colliding and opens a wonderful conversation about how the people we know in one context, like school, have full lives outside of it.
What Parents Should Know
Sensitive Topics
This book contains no significant sensitive topics. The inciting incident, a damaged home, is handled lightly and serves only as a plot device. The conflict is based entirely on Arthur's internal anxiety, which is resolved through positive, direct experience. The approach is secular and humor-based with a wholly reassuring resolution.
Ideal Reader
The ideal reader is a 5 to 7-year-old who is developing a more complex view of adults, especially authority figures like teachers. It’s perfect for a child who feels intimidated by their teacher or who recently had an awkward out-of-school encounter with a teacher that they are trying to process.
Reviews
No reviews yet — be the first!
Your experience helps other parents find the right book.
Sign in to write a review
