Congratulations, Miss Malarkey! - Softcover

Grade 1–3—What is happening to Miss Malarkey? Her students are concerned about their beloved teacher because she is singing in the halls and laughing with the principal. Maybe she's won a lot of money, or perhaps she's going to quit and become an astronaut. Most of the boys think it's weird when she starts a unit on wedding customs, but the girls are fascinated. The inquisitive narrator's fears build until he learns that she is about to reveal a secret to the class. Each student receives an invitation to attend Miss Malarkey's marriage to Bob Fulla. Yes, the joke is obvious: Should they call her Mrs. Fulla-Malarkey? The authors take liberal license to make that groaner since a maiden name usually comes before the hyphen, not after. Cartoon illustrations drawn with markers and colored pencils round out the humor in this picture book, which includes a variety of layouts and changes in perspective. This is a light bit of entertainment that youngsters are sure to enjoy despite a somewhat contrived story line. The snippets about marriage customs provide a springboard to discuss different cultures. The voice of the narrator reflects the kinds of observations young boys like to make: "The guy Miss Malarkey was gonna marry had a big chin." "I even saw Principal Wiggins laugh so hard...that his hair almost slipped off." This latest installment in the series will be a hit.—Mary Hazelton, Elementary Schools in Warren & Waldoboro, ME
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