Every day John Patrick Norman McHennessy sets off along the road to learn, and every day strange and improbable happenings make him late. ...
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reviews
Jun 19, 2010
Jeff
rated it: 
This is a picture book about a boy named John Patrick Norman McHennessy. John keeps having out of the ordinary things happen to him as he "sets off along the road to learn" that cause him to be late. He has an encounter with a crocodile, a lion, and a tidal wave. Each time "Sir" (his teacher) thinks he's lying, tells John there was no such thing, and punnishes him. At the end, Sir has an encounter with a gorilla and askes John for help. John tells Sir there's no such thin
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Apr 24, 2009
Krystal
rated it: 
Author: John Burningham
Genre: Fictional picture book
Publication Info: Crown Publishers, Inc (1987)
Reading Level: Transitional
Topic/Theme: Honesty/ Trust/ self-deception
Issues Addressed: Strange things do occur, you just have to choose whether or not to believe them.
Classroom Uses: Shared Reading, Readers Theatre.
Summary: John (long name) is walking to school and a lot of strange things happen. He encounters li More...
Genre: Fictional picture book
Publication Info: Crown Publishers, Inc (1987)
Reading Level: Transitional
Topic/Theme: Honesty/ Trust/ self-deception
Issues Addressed: Strange things do occur, you just have to choose whether or not to believe them.
Classroom Uses: Shared Reading, Readers Theatre.
Summary: John (long name) is walking to school and a lot of strange things happen. He encounters li More...
Aug 24, 2011
Anna
rated it:
This is a story about a young boy called John Patrick Norman McHennessy. Every day he tries to get to school on time, but is always late – through no fault of his own. Unfortunately, his school teacher doesn’t believe him, and punishes him by making him write lines for telling lies.
This is an amusing picture story, which will be enjoyed by younger children. John Burningham writes in a very simple and effective way – the story is easy to follow, and easy to relate to; I’m sure many of us c More...
This is an amusing picture story, which will be enjoyed by younger children. John Burningham writes in a very simple and effective way – the story is easy to follow, and easy to relate to; I’m sure many of us c More...
Nov 09, 2009
Natalie
rated it: 
Boy with extremely long name is always late but for good reason. Be it tidal wave, a lion, or crocodile John Patrick Norman McHennessy's teacher seems never to believe them though and puts the poor boy to menial tasks like writing hundreds of sentences or standing in the corner for punishment. It's no wonder that when something rather improbable happens to the teacher himself, John Patrick Norman McHennessy does not come to aid. Serves him right. I appreciate older picture books where justice is
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Jun 09, 2009
Young Lightning in Dark Sky
rated it:
I would say that the illustrations and, well, I suppose it could be one form of reverse psychology, the revolt towards the unrighteous authority made it very enjoyable from a rebellious child's perspective..
hehe, recommended for adults who think they are all that.
hehe, recommended for adults who think they are all that.
Mar 05, 2010
Laura
rated it:
The children really like this one, though I suspect it's mainly for my school teacher and pink-floyd-esque school child voice. The actual moral is somewhat ambiguously swayed in the anti-public-school teacher direction.
Sep 04, 2009
Linda
rated it:
'Think this would make a great read-aloud with older students about treating others appropriately and fairly and about what someone learns from our actions
May 24, 2011
Heloyce
rated it:
Of course there are always reasons for being late, but how unfortunate to arrive on time and miss the fun of the journey.
Jun 09, 2008
Maria
rated it: 
2.5 stars. Interesting, very arty, pictures. John always has problems with extraordinary animals and natural disasters on his way to school but his school master never believes him. Until the tables turn. I had fonder memories of this book than I do on re-reading it.
Apr 06, 2008
Tricia
rated it:
clever story about a boy who is late to school for reasons that seem impossible...lion jumping out of the woods...tidal wave. teacher punishes him and then in the end, the teacher is tied up by a gorilla.
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