Me and Mister P

by Maria Farrer, Daniel Rieley (Illustrator)

There are times when only a polar bear will do . . . "All I want is a normal family but no, I've ended up with the brother from Weirdsville. Liam is so embarrassing, but Mum and Dad can't see that and give him all the attention. Leaving me with zero! Zilch! A big fat NOTHING! And I'm not really sure how an enormous, funny, clumsy polar bear is going to help with all this, but he was standing on the doorstep, so I had to invite him to stay, didn't I? Well, what would you have done?"Meet Arthur and his brand new friend, Mister P - the world's most helpful polar bear!Packed with gorgeous illustrations throughout, this story has heart and humour in equal measure and is sure to be a hit with developing readers and as a great book to be read aloud.

Genres: Middle Grade, Fiction, Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Childrens, Chapter Books, Family, Adventure

216 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2017

About the author

Maria Farrer writes for children and young adults. She studied Speech and Language pathology at UCL and has a Masters in Writing for Young People from Bath Spa. She has spent much of her life working with children with language and literacy difficulties both in the UK and in New Zealand. She always likes to have a challenge on the horizon, preferably one involving mountains or large hills.

Her latest series of books involving a huge, hapless, but really rather helpful polar bear is undoubtedly her favourite.

Reviews

[Miss Cleveland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Arthur has had enough. His life is a never ending cycle of Liam this, Liam that, Liam blah blah blah, while Arthur just gets told off. He picks up his lucky crystal and his survival tin and leaves home. Forever. Or, he would have done if Mister P hadn't been stood on his doorstep with a rather smelly suitcase and a label with his address on it…

This is such a heart-warming tale of acceptance, understanding and tolerance, about being a good friend and a better brother. Maria Farrer depicts the emotional struggles Arthur and his family faces with compassion and heart, while Daniel Ridley’s illustrations add depth and humour to this beautiful book.

By learning to accept and adapt to meet Mister P’s different needs, Arthur is finally able to be the older brother he wants to be and Liam needs. I know lots of children who will empathise instantly with the characters in the story. It is much needed for my school bookshelf.

Every child (and adult) should read it.

[Kalki Chari · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is about a polar bear named Mister P. He likes ice cream because he is from the North Pole.

He is also good at playing soccer. The narrator is a little boy named Arthur. At first, Arthur wanted to run away but then as he is leaving his doorstep he runs into Mister P and becomes scared because he has never seen a polar beer before. After he tells his parents, he cleans up the garage with Mister P. Once he is finished with cleaning the garage. Arthur gets his spare pillow and blankets and Mister P lies down on the blanket in the garage.

Then Mister P stays with them for a week. They take Mister P to school. Arthur and his class do an Arctic project on Mister P. Then the principal gets them some sardines (because polar bears like sardines).

Arthur has a soccer game coming up and he tries to get Mister P to play. And it turns out that he is really good at doing tricks. They win a competition and they go to a soccer final but Mister P gives up his ticket so that Arthur's brother could go.This is a really nice book that I recommend to you

[Noriboo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alles in het gezin draait om zijn broertje Siem en Arthur is daar helemaal klaar mee. Hij snapt dat zijn broertje Autisme heeft, maar heeft er ontzettend moeite mee dat zijn ouders hem steeds lijken te vergeten. Arthur besluit om voorgoed weg te lopen. Dat zal ze leren!
Maar nog voor hij goed en wel de voordeur is door gestapt, staat er ineens een IJsbeer voor zijn neus.

Meneer beer is een verhaal over familie en vriendschap. Hoe er soms een ander persoon voor nodig is om je als gezin een ander perspectief te laten zien, je soms gewoon even gehoord wil worden en een dikke knuffel nodig hebt. Het verhaal bestaat uit korte hoofdstukken die zijn voorzien van illustraties en woorden die af en toe over de pagina's dansen.
Een humoristisch verhaal voor kinderen die opgroeien met een brusje met een rugzakje en die zich soms onbegrepen voelen.

Vanaf ongeveer 7 jaar.

[Andrew Davies · Rating 4 out of 5]

A hugely fun if slightly superficial read, a polar bear mysteriously turns up on Arthur's front doorstep and invites himself into Arthur's home (or more to the point, his garden shed) where he brings all kinds of fun to Arthur's mum, dad and autistic brother Liam. Although Mister P is very much portrayed as a huge real-life polar bear, there are perhaps obvious parallels with the role someone new or unusual - or a pet - can play in a family's life: although rejected at first, Mister P brings Arthur's family much closer together, helps him achieve much more in school and on the football field, and brings Liam much comfort, understanding and friendship - so much so that Arthur is in tears towards the end when it's time for Mister P to leave. My only reservation with the book is the rather effortless way things seem to go so right when Mister P is around: in particular winning the football match and photo competition is all too predictable and rather unrealistic. Nevertheless, there is much to be gained for classroom empathy and teamwork from the plot and characters involved.

[Callum Whalley · Rating 5 out of 5]

A brilliant book about a Polar bear that turns up out of the blue to help Arthur and his younger brother Liam learn to see the best in one another, accept and adapt to each other's different needs. It's easy to empathise with the characters and situations they face in this touching depiction of family life, school years and the struggles of living with Autism. It was tough to read some of Arthur's daily struggles in what people think of him because of his brother, but it was heartwarming when the two brothers became closer at the end of the book. The titles of the chapters were interesting, I thought it could be sounds that Liam wouldn't be able to manage .......?

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderfully warm-hearted tale of how visiting Polar Bear Mister P helps Arthur and his younger brother Liam learn to see the best in one another, accept and adapt to each others different needs and to become much closer as a result. It's easy to empathise with the characters and situations they face in this touching depiction of family life, school years and the struggles of living with Autism. Attests to the universal importance of kindness and tolerance. Fantastic illustrations throughout that add depth and humour to this lovely book.

[Iris Besseling · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ben hier echt doorheen GEVLOGEN en wilde het niet neerleggen. Fantastisch verhaal (precies geloofwaardig en toch raar genoeg hoe de ijsbeer binnenkomt) en super toffe tekeningen en spel met typografie. Ook gewoon echt heel erg grappig en lief en fijn en had continu een glimlach op mijn gezicht. En dan ook nog een boek wat subtiel super goed weet over te brengen hoe je iemand met autisme kunt ondersteunen ??? Solid 5/5 en misschien wel mijn favoriete boek gelezen in 2023.

[Les van Willemsen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Het boek gaat over een familie. Arthur heeft een broertje Siem die autisme heeft. Arthur heeft soms moeite met de aandacht die Siem krijgt en voelt zich niet gezien. Dan komt meneer Beer plotseling voor de deur. Hij blijft een tijdje bij hun thuis, wat de familie goed doet.

Ik kan mij voorstellen dat sommige kinderen zich goed herkennen in het boek. Ik mis nog wel wat diepgang in het onderwerp. Is de boodschap voor de kinderen duidelijk genoeg?

[Marleen van Besouw · Rating 3 out of 5]

Een toegankelijk en luchtig verhaal over een jongen die nogal 'last' heeft van zijn autistische broertje en de aandacht die er van zijn ouders altijd naar Siem uitgaat. Tot er op een dag een ijsbeer op de stoep staat die een tijdje bij het gezin blijft logeren. De ijsbeer 'ziet' Arthur ook en begrijpt tevens zijn broertje Siem. Door de komst van meneer beer lijkt het beter te gaan in het gezin, waardoor meneer meer ergens anders harder nodig is.

[Donna Dobihal Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This gem of a story puts a spotlight on difficulties neurotypical kids can experience when there is a sibling with a special need in the family. Memorable characters, including a likeable protagonist and endearing polar bear, elements of surprise, believable settings, tender and tough moments interspersed with humor all make for a great read all kids will enjoy. Adults too! Lots to discuss!

[Chloe · Rating 5 out of 5]

ADORABLE heart-warming story about a little boy and his Autistic brother. A really fun read with some great illustrations. The language used/text layout would make for a really good class read for Key Stage 1 or independent read for Lower Key Stage 2.

Emphasis on empathy, acceptance and family dynamics.

[Seawood · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aaaah, Mister P is adorable! A must-read - it's a great story in itself, but for opening up discussion about how we learn to live with siblings (especially when those siblings need extra care), it's brilliant. Sweet, funny, and perplexing.

[Hannah Jarman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Me and Mr P is a great book about family dynamics and emotions. It's a really touching story with a moving ending. I think it deals really well with complex emotions and family/sibling relationships.

[Chris Baker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Suspend reality and this is a lovely story! A relatable main character who, like most children, strops and buzzes through life, adjusting to a neuro-atypical younger brother (condition is unspecified) and a polar bear who comes to stay. Funny moments abound. Great for KS2 I'd say.

[Ymke · Rating 4 out of 5]

boek waarin een ijsbeer helpt om de juiste manier van omgang te vinden voor Arthuur met zijn autistische broertje! Elkaar lief hebben en leren accepteren hoe iemand is! Soms was het niet helemaal realistisch hoe ouders met de beer om gingen 😉 simpel maar mooie inhoud!

[Sarah Spice · Rating 4 out of 5]

A polar bear arrives on a family’s door step in a Nanny McPhee type fashion and helps a family in a way that only a polar bear can. Really lovely story.

[Ellie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Picked this book up and couldn’t put it down- read it within a couple of hours. A child friendly insight into a family with special needs. A lovely book.

[Varsha Seshan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A charming read.
https://www.varshaseshan.com/me-and-m...

[Suzanne Bhargava · Rating 4 out of 5]

One neurotypical boy’s journey to understand his autistic brother, with the help of a Mary Poppins-esque polar bear named Mr P.

Really rather lovely, and the illustrations are delightful!

[Fahima Ahmed]

Read in English seminar, great for comprehension read

[Rebecca]

Book to read aloud to class

[Ed Ellis-Cooper]

Really lovely read aloud book for year 2 and year 3.

[Anissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mary Poppins reincarnated as a polar bear. Cute story that I can see being good for kids about how to deal with siblings.

[Krys · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75 stars

[University of Chester teacher readers · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of those books that didn't inspire me from the cover, but would be a great read for the mid primary reader. It is somewhere in the middle between a first reader and a longer novel. It is for a fluent reader who needs a few illustrations and larger typeface. The style and structure of the book make it more suitable for a child to read themselves rather than to be read aloud as a class.

A cross between Mary Poppins and Wonder. Mister P, the polar bear appears from nowhere and transforms the life of Arthur and his family. Arthur's younger brother, Liam has an unspecified disability which means that family life revolves around Liam's needs, this leaves Arthur feeling fed up and frustrated.... until Mister P appears and helps them to live a different way, until he disappears to help the next family.

Well worth looking beyond the cover

[BOEKenBOEKET · Rating 4 out of 5]

Meneer Beer is een hartverwarmend en grappig ‘Nanny McPhee’ verhaal over vriendschap, familie en anders-zijn. Een aanrader voor jongeren vanaf 8 jaar die houden van humor, een tikkeltje drama en een magische twist.

Ook een waardevol boekje om autisme bij jonge kinderen invoelbaar te maken.

Als verwerking kan je Meneer Beer zorgpopjes maken met een kurk. Waaraan je voor het slapen gaan je zorgen kan vertellen.

Meer info op: https://www.boekenboeket.be/boekenboe...

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Arthur’s little brother Liam is different from other kids, and he often needs a little extra attention to help him get through the day.

But Arthur is tired of always have to see things from Liam’s point of view….

Read pg. 7 “YOU CAN TELL MOM AND DAD” to “STO-O-O-OP!” on page 9.

Yep. There’s a giant polar bear with a suitcase standing on his doorstep. You’d be surprised at how much a polar bear can teach you about life, and loving people for just the way they are.

[Andréa]

Note: I accessed a digital review copy of this book through Edelweiss.