The Frightful Story of Harry Walfish

by Brian Floca

When her class goes ape on a school visit to the Natural History Museum, a wily teacher tells the tale of a rambunctious former classmate of her own who found himself left behind in the museum after dark

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens

32 pages, Hardcover

First published March 1, 1997

About the author

Brian Floca is the author-illustrator of the Caldecott Medal winner Locomotive, the Robert F. Sibert Honor books Moonshot and Lightship, and other picture books, and is the illustrator of many more books for young readers. Brian Floca lives and works in Brooklyn.

Reviews

[skcocnaH · Rating 2 out of 5]

Yeah… so, I’m this book was rough. It was like the teacher was trying to teach the kids about the things in the museum through Harry’s story. My 5-year-old was getting bored though. And that’s never a good sign.
Had a “night at the museum” vibe without any of the humor.

[Melanie Gaum · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun and silly story about a teacher getting her rowdy class to quiet down. The art style was cute and it was a good length for a read-aloud book.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun teacher story to get students quiet!

[Bonnie Ferrante · Rating 4 out of 5]

Poor, poor Ms. Leonard-Brakthurst has one of those classes. Those classes that don't know how to behave in a museum. Those classes that don't know what hands-off means. Those classes that loves making noise almost as much as running. But doesshe yell? No. Does she slam something heavy on the desktop? No. Does she threatened to send them all to detention when they return to the school? No. She doesn't need to. Because she has the gift of storytelling.

Ever so slowly she reels in the student's attention by telling them the story of naughty Hairy Walfish who was left behind in the museum overnight. Ever so subtly she spurns on their imagination until they are giving her their rapt attention. As the terrifying story of the abandoned Hairy unfolds, the teacher cleverly interjects bits of information about the animals on display. By the end of the story, her class has calmed and begun to listen to the teachers information about the exhibits.

The pictures are generally simple cartoons, but the author/illustrator skillfully uses them to convey emotion and action. This book would be perfect to read to a class before going on a field trip. A humorous introduction into what is acceptable public behavior, The Frightful Story of Hairy Walfish will delight teacher and student alike.