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Mrs. McBee Leaves Room 3
Join the children of Room 3 as they learn to say goodbye to their beloved teacher.
It's not just the end of the school year at Mayflower Elementary. It's time to say goodbye to Mrs. McBee, who is leaving the school. Jamaika, William, and the other kids in Room 3 have to figure out a special way to celebrate their beloved teacher. But everyone has a different idea. How can they arrive at an agreement?
Gretchen Brandenburg McLellan brings readers an amusing and touching story about the importance of observing transitions. A distinct cast of lively characters comes to life in Grace Zong's charming illustrations.
It's not just the end of the school year at Mayflower Elementary. It's time to say goodbye to Mrs. McBee, who is leaving the school. Jamaika, William, and the other kids in Room 3 have to figure out a special way to celebrate their beloved teacher. But everyone has a different idea. How can they arrive at an agreement?
Gretchen Brandenburg McLellan brings readers an amusing and touching story about the importance of observing transitions. A distinct cast of lively characters comes to life in Grace Zong's charming illustrations.
32 pages, Hardcover
Published April 4, 2017
2 people are currently reading
297 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
February 15, 2017
It might be a platitude, but there is truth to the saying that all good things must come to an end--even a teaching career. In a picture book perfect for sharing with youngsters at the end of the year, readers watch as Mrs. McBee finishes her last day of teaching. Not only is this the last day of school for her students, but it is her last day to teach. It's never easy to say goodbye at the end of the year, but the long-time teacher has one more lesson for her students as she reminds them that they, not her, are the ones that made the classroom special. The sunny illustrations and simple text show that each child deals with this change in their lives and this departure in very different ways. Some students are quick to help sort and pack materials while others move and label boxes. Others keep taps on each other, and William seems devastated. But as it turns out, he's been busy too, drawing pictures of happy times spent in the classroom. I liked how the book acknowledges that endings can be hard and shows that the students and teacher cope in different ways. I also loved how Mrs. McBee, a teacher through and through, gives the students jobs and points out that goodbyes are bittersweet since saying farewell is hard even when something good may lie ahead.
May 30, 2022
I saw someone recommend this as a gift to give to a retiring teacher, or to donate in a teacher's name to the library. I like the way Mrs. McBee describes it. I still want to know what was left in the bag, and how they caught the library mouse. Mrs. McBee must have done some of her packing in advance, because when I retired, it took another month before I was done!
March 3, 2017
Not only is it the end of the school year at Mayflower Elementary but the students’ beloved teacher Mrs. McBee is also leaving the school. Throughout the story Mrs. McBee thoughtfully involves each student in packing up the classroom and in return the students have a chance to thoughtfully say goodbye. MRS. MCBEE LEAVES ROOM 3 is a terrific book about transitions.
April 10, 2017
Cute story for children. Being a retired teacher myself, it was easy to put my own emotions into this story. Mrs. McBee is leaving (I'm assuming to retire) and the children in her class help her pack and plan a celebration, all except William. Everyone thinks William is a slacker until the end of the story when he surprises everyone with his special gift. This would be a great story for the lower elementary school grades. Cute pictures too!
July 8, 2017
McLellan, Gretchen Brandenburg Mrs. McBee Leaves Room 3, illustrated by Grace Zong. PICTURE BOOK Peachtree Publishers, 2017. $16.95. Content: G.
Mrs. McBee has just informed her class that she will not be back after summer break. Her students are stunned. After all, they may have a new teacher next year, but they were still counting on seeing Mrs. McBee around. The school won't be the same without her there. How can they possibly cope?
This book touches on a very real topic for many children who, while they may move on to a new teacher, often love to see their previous teachers around the school. This would be a good read-aloud and discussion-starter for a class whose teacher is either retiring or moving. It would probably need a knowledgable librarian to hand it to a teacher, however, since many will not think to look for such a book on their own. A helpful addition to a library collection.
EL (K-3) -- ADVISABLE. Reviewed by Sydney G., K-6 Library Media Specialist
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2017...
Mrs. McBee has just informed her class that she will not be back after summer break. Her students are stunned. After all, they may have a new teacher next year, but they were still counting on seeing Mrs. McBee around. The school won't be the same without her there. How can they possibly cope?
This book touches on a very real topic for many children who, while they may move on to a new teacher, often love to see their previous teachers around the school. This would be a good read-aloud and discussion-starter for a class whose teacher is either retiring or moving. It would probably need a knowledgable librarian to hand it to a teacher, however, since many will not think to look for such a book on their own. A helpful addition to a library collection.
EL (K-3) -- ADVISABLE. Reviewed by Sydney G., K-6 Library Media Specialist
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2017...
January 15, 2018
How can children learn to cope with coming to the end of a situation or club? This book answers that question. Mrs. McBee tells her class that she is retiring and will not be back at school when Summer Break is over. The kids are devastated, even the school staff is upset. How can they cope? Well, Mrs. McBee helps them all learn their own ways as they help one another and find joy in friendship. The story is enduring, with one child, seemingly sulking, but really capturing memories in art, while other children pack up the classroom and take care of books and pets. The illustrations show real personality. Jamika with her bossy attitude and William with his quiet ways. The pictures are big and bold and really make you remember what an elementary classroom feels like. 4 stars!
November 11, 2021
When Mrs. McBee tells her class on the last day of school that she is leaving the school, they are sad. But Mrs. McBee keeps them busy with an activity, and then gives them time to say goodbye in their own ways.
It can be a huge deal when some teachers leave, and I can see this book being a helpful way for some classes to start processing it. I love the wisdom of Mrs. McBee giving one boy who is having an extra hard time with the news extra time and space. The illustrations are warm and cute. I think Mrs. McBee should go into running a moving company...those kids did an amazing job of cleaning and packing! A sweet story about the grief of goodbyes and bittersweet moments at the end of the school year.
It can be a huge deal when some teachers leave, and I can see this book being a helpful way for some classes to start processing it. I love the wisdom of Mrs. McBee giving one boy who is having an extra hard time with the news extra time and space. The illustrations are warm and cute. I think Mrs. McBee should go into running a moving company...those kids did an amazing job of cleaning and packing! A sweet story about the grief of goodbyes and bittersweet moments at the end of the school year.
June 27, 2017
Cute story about a school teacher who tells her students that she is retiring and will not be returning to Room 3. They are sad and have lots of questions for her, but they work together to clean up the classroom before sharing their goodbyes. There is nothing incredibly moving or fantastic about this tale, but, as a teacher myself, I thought it was pretty endearing. It would work well in a text-to-text connection lesson with the book: "Goodbye, Curtis." Both focus on retiring service professionals and the impact they have made on those who have come to know them through their jobs.
March 27, 2017
I completely adored this little story. I don't have any children, so I read it to my dog, Quil. He seemed to enjoy it. As much as a dog can I guess. Mrs. McBee's students are sad that they won't be taught by her anymore. I'm sure that many children will adore it. I fully recommend parents get this for their children! I'm honored to have gotten to read it.
May 10, 2017
This is a nice story for children and teachers who are leaving each other for other positions or the end of the school year. Everyone says goodbye in a different way, and the children in this class are no different. The illustrations have some diversity, and the book is nostalgic for all those who have experienced a teacher moving away or leaving for other reasons.
May 16, 2017
5 stars for Mrs. McBee! Along the lines of Frederick by Leo Lionni, Mrs. McBee has a special student named William who does not seem to be helping the rest of the class pack up the classroom at the end of the year. But like Frederick, William is helping... he's drawing pictures to help his classmates remember the fun they had in Room 3. Special little bonus... Mrs. McBee is retiring. Yay!
August 14, 2017
This is a wonderful book to share at the end of a school year, especially if your child's teacher is retiring or moving away. Three things that this book does so well: 1) It celebrates a beloved teacher moving on, 2) It shows the classmates pulling together to accomplish a goal, and 3) It recognizes the differences and talents of students.
September 30, 2017
This is a sweet and reassuring book that helps kids learn about bittersweet moments and that different people have different ways of coping with them, and different ways of helping in those moments, too. This is great for any child experiencing a big change where they have to say goodbye to someone who has meant a lot to them.
November 25, 2017
What a magical way to describe a bittersweet moment and how to cope with moving on from unforeseen circumstances. It brought back memories of leaving my elementary school class when moving to a new school. I had a lump in my throat the whole time! This book could definitely help students struggling with classroom changes and transitions.
November 15, 2021
It's the end of the school year and Mrs. McBee won't be back after the summer. The class gets busy packing up with each person having their own job. One boy doesn't seem to be doing anything, or is he?
This is a nice book about saying goodbyes and how for some of us, saying goodbye can look different from everyone else.
This is a nice book about saying goodbyes and how for some of us, saying goodbye can look different from everyone else.
November 20, 2017
The author knows children and she celebrates their uniqueness in this 'saying good-bye' story.
The illustrator also draws an accurate image of veteran teacher ready to retire (love the sagging bosom!).
The illustrator also draws an accurate image of veteran teacher ready to retire (love the sagging bosom!).
July 24, 2018
"It was all of us, together, helping each other grow. Room 3 needed the special magic of each and every one of you."
It's time for Mrs. McBee to retire. But she has a few more lessons to impart to her students before the final bell.
It's time for Mrs. McBee to retire. But she has a few more lessons to impart to her students before the final bell.
October 7, 2018
This is a sweet book and a nice, positive way to show children how to deal with change and sad moments. I appreciate the delicate way the issue is dealt with. I think this is a great book and would recommend it to all parents for their children.
January 10, 2019
Very cute story about a retiring teacher. Too bad the giveaway was in the form of an unbound book. Loose pages are quite difficult to have a shared reading experience even with a couple of grandchildren. Would have loved to be able to share this wonderfully written story.
March 8, 2019
This book fills a hole in most libraries of books that cover the loss of a teacher. Sensitive and simple it helps students to move beyond and move ahead. I have shared this two years in a row and know my students love it
November 6, 2019
So Winry suddenly decided she loves this book. Not quite sure why. I think it is cute and I like what William does at the end. I am want to know what was I the lump bag though. That all in good time never came in the book and it doesn’t seem to be coming in a sequel.
May 7, 2017
Everyone has a Mrs. McBee in his or her life, and this tender story celebrates those mentors and those moments when -- in our "own sweet time" -- we have to learn to let go and move on.
May 15, 2017
I received this book from Goodreads Giveaway. My kids really liked this book. They enjoyed the story.
May 16, 2017
A beloved teacher won't be coming back the next year and her class finds a way to say goodbye.
May 28, 2017
This is aa great book for an end of the school year read aloud. Bittersweet.
September 1, 2017
Great for retiring teachers of younger grades.
September 12, 2017
Sweet story about embracing change.
January 5, 2018
This book about a class packing up their classroom is super cute. I loved the twist ending and how real the kids felt to me. preschool and up
February 15, 2018
Good book to end the year with and helping prepare all of the students for new class mates and teachers.
June 21, 2018
I'm a teacher so of course I liked it (it's about a teacher retiring). But it's really only for that time and place, so just okay.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews