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‘This will make a great storytime book for younger kids and early readers.’ I Read What You Write, Reviews Arlo, Mrs Ogg and the Dinosaur Zoo

Shelle over at I Read What You Write has been transported into the world of Dinosaur zoo’s and unusual teachers… in Alice Hemming’s first book in the adventures of Class X – Arlo, Mrs Ogg and the Dinosaur Zoo with illustrations by Kathryn Durst;

Arlo Mrs Ogg and the Dinosaur Zoo Cover LR RGB JPEG

Class X is in for a real surprise.

They have had more than their share of new teachers. For some reason or another, teachers never stay very long. Mrs. Kettle set a class record by staying less than a day and left the class with words like “unruly, disobedient, and unteachable.” Mr. Austin probably should have mentioned that he doesn’t like bugs. Then the new substitute teacher, Mrs. Ogg, shows up.

She is different than any teacher these fourth-graders have ever seen. Her hair is brown and orange. Her dress is made from patches of fur sewn together and she has bones in her ears. She doesn’t say much and her lessons aren’t typical, but the students love her.

When she takes the class on a field trip to the zoo, shy Arlo takes it upon himself to make sure that nothing goes wrong, but this is Class X. Everything going wrong is what they do best and this is not your average trip to the zoo.

The book is a fun adventure.  While sneaking in a bit history and dinosaur facts, readers will learn along with Class X that all children have a hidden talent and labels like unruly and disobedient, to the right person, can really mean curious and excited. Alice Hemming has done a fantastic job of writing a story that will appeal to kids’ sense of whimsy while being totally relatable. The art by Kathryn Durst captures the essence of this special class and their outrageous teacher.

I can’t wait for the next installments of Arlo’s adventures with Class X, and I think young chapter readers will agree with me. This will also make a great storytime book for younger kids and early readers. It will definitely be a class library shelf favorite.

Thank You!
You can read the full review and more here, from Shelle!
Grab your own copy of Arlo, Mrs Ogg and the Dinosaur Zoo, here!