Miss Malarkey: Kids Being Kids, Adults Being...Babies!
Book Title: You're A Good Sport, Miss Malarkey Author: Judy Finchler Illustrator: Kevin O'Malley Book Type: Picture I would prescribe this book for this kind of child: Any child ready to realize that adults can behave badly too! I think this book is a: great book Review: I came across this book by happy accident. My daughter and I were at the close-out store and happened upon their disorganized and disheveled book department. My daughter asked if she could get a book, which is a request I usually like to hear, but not in the close-out store. I despaired at finding a book worth reading. I needn't have worried. You're A Good Sport, Miss Malarkey (which seems to be still in print) was a joyous read for both parent and child. Part of the Miss Malarkey series by Judy Finchler and illustrated by Kevin O'Malley, it's a delight on numerous levels. The text is funny. The pictures are funny. Both my daughter and I appreciated the humor. My daughter especially appreciated it, because most of the humor is at the expense of grown-ups. Miss Malarkey is an elementary school teacher. Her young students, new to the game of soccer, are enrolled in a league where they will compete against other schools. Though their enthusiasm is high, their skill level is low. That proves to be an unworkable combination for their first two coaches: the school principal and the gym teacher. These men haven't the patience. The job falls to Miss Malarkey, who is as new to the game as the children. Armed with a book on the sport though, she jumps into the fray. In no time, the children are not quite as awful as they were at the outset. That is to say, they're learning slowly and having a good time. Miss Malarkey seems to know that's what's important. Enter competition...and the parents. The kids start playing games against the other schools. Ms. Finchler has either attended a goodly amount of youth sporting competitions or has caught a lot of the news coverage of same. The parents are, at turns:
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