Trouble in the Barkers' Class

Barker Twins

by Tomie dePaola

Moffie and Morgie are excited. A new girl is joining their class. But Carole Ann is a bully, pushing Moffie and grabbing Morgie’s dinosaur book, and that’s only the beginning. Then Morgie goes looking for dinosaur eggs on a Saturday morning and finds Carole Ann crying. He discovers why she is so unhappy, and at school, Morgie introduces his new friend. Carole Ann tells everyone how sorry she is for being so nasty. Now everyone has a friend, and school is fun again!

Genres: Picture Books, School, Childrens, Friendship, Fiction

32 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2003

About the author

Tomie dePaola (pronounced Tommy da-POW-la) was best known for his books for children.

He had a five-decade writing and illustrating career during which he published more than 270 books, including 26 Fairmount Avenue, Strega Nona, and Meet the Barkers.

Tomie dePaola and his work have been recognized with the Caldecott Honor Award, the Newbery Honor Award, the Laura Ingalls Wilder Award, and the New Hampshire Governor's Arts Award of Living Treasure.

Reviews

[Rose Rosetree · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just about all of us want to be loved.

Good to remember when facing a problem that seems intractable.

Of course, when we're older there's more involved when we face problems (imo). But for children, I think it's most important to remember one simple truth, not that Tomie dePaola put it exactly this way, but:

Just about all of us want to be loved.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

When a new student comes to Morgie and Moffie's school, she is a bully. She shoves her way to the front of the line. She calls people names. She destroys other people's things. But Morgie gets down to the bottom of things. A very nice book about why someone might be a bully.

[Diane · Rating 3 out of 5]

The new girl in class is a bully and the kids aren’t quite sure how to deal with her.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good book with a positive message about making friends. I thought Tomie did a good job of portraying a difficult situation and providing a solution children could learn from. Even though this offers a good lesson it was well blended with the story and the illustrations and didn't feel like a lesson. I would probably recommend this book.

*Taken from my book reviews blog: http://reviewsatmse.blogspot.com/2011...

[Annabelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

in the Barker's class, I thought the new girl was really trying to be mean. But then I noticed that she wasn't, because at the end of the story she told everybody why she was doing that. Because this was her third school and she thought that nobody would like her, and thought she would have to push people and be mean to everybody.

[Skylar Burris · Rating 2 out of 5]

If only bullies were so easily converted in real life. Give me an old witch trying to bake a kid in an oven any day over these children's books that try to convince kids that doing good to others always instantly leads to a change of heart. All anyone really needs in life is a smile, and all the evil will melt away...

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't know if I've ever read a book by Tomie DePaola that I didn't absolutely love and this is no exception.
This is a great book to teach kids about bullying at a young age. It is a terrific story and has some surprising turn arounds.
Read it....you won't be disappointed. Illustrations are very cute.

[Elaine · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good story about a young girl who is very unhappy with her new class no matter how much her classmates provided her with a warm welcome. My only gripe was the using the word "stupid" in the story. The preschool storytime kids enjoyed the story. They were able to follow the story and answer questions, comprehend.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

My son just started school and this is a Tomie dePaola book about school -- what could be more perfect, right? Um, no. The publication date said 2003, but this book was so dated, it could have been written in the 1970s. And, as I've recently learned, MUCH has changed about school since the 1970s and the 1980.

[Class 305 · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is about a new girl in the class that is mean to everyone. Its a fabulous book that deals with hidden emotions and feelings. It shows how a behavior can sometimes indicate something deep inside. The book also touches on forgiveness and being understanding.

[Bonnie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good story on how young students can deal with a grouchy kid in class. This is about a new kiddo in school but it could apply to other kids. It says give the kid a chance, keep your distance if their behavior continues and discuss the situation with an adult if it gets worse.

[Christi · Rating 2 out of 5]

uh... won't check it out again.

[Erin McCarty · Rating 3 out of 5]

http://www.epinions.com/content_44299...

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mentor text for back to school