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Mr Majeika #1
Mr Majeika
As a rule, magic carpets don't turn up in schools, but this is exactly what happens when Class Three’s new teacher flies in through the classroom window and lands on the floor with a bump. Mr Majeika can behave just like any ordinary teacher if he wants to, but something has to be done about Hamish Bigmore, the class nuisance, and so he uses a little magic to turn him into a frog. And to everyone's delight it looks as if Hamish will have to remain a frog because Mr Majeika can't remember the spell to turn him back again! With Mr Majeika in charge, suddenly life at school become much more exciting – there's even a magic-carpet ride to Buckingham Palace!
96 pages, Paperback
First published May 17, 1984
14 people are currently reading
508 people want to read
About the author
Humphrey Carpenter
98 books89 followersHumphrey William Bouverie Carpenter was an English biographer, writer, and radio broadcaster. He is known especially for his biographies of J.R.R. Tolkien and other members of the literary society the Inklings. He won a Mythopoeic Award for his book The Inklings in 1982.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
December 17, 2022
Class Three is astonished when their new teacher, Mr Majeika flies in through the window on a magic carpet. With Mr Majeika in charge of Class Three, it's going to be the most exciting school term ever. Their doubts that Mr Majeika is not all he seems are confirmed when he turns an egg and bacon flan into chips, and they are told that Mr Majeika was not a teacher before he came to St. Barty's Primary School, but a wizard...
First he turns the class troublemaker Hamish Bigmore into a frog, and then he gives Class Three magical flying powers! Whatever next?
I would recommend this book 10 out of 10 to any magic-loving young bookworm above the age of 6!
First he turns the class troublemaker Hamish Bigmore into a frog, and then he gives Class Three magical flying powers! Whatever next?
I would recommend this book 10 out of 10 to any magic-loving young bookworm above the age of 6!
November 2, 2019
Carpenter is better known for his biography of Tolkien (J.R.R. Tolkien: A Biography) and the first The Oxford Companion to Children's Literature but he was also an author of fiction too. The Mr. Majeika series tell the story of a wizard who arrives to teach Class Three in St. Barty's Primary School.
Ideal for a class read or a newly independent reader, the chapters are warm and funny. Carpenter portrays an eighties school in a welcoming, recognisable way with moments and humour that would be relatable in the present. I rather enjoyed how the magician would lose his temper with poor behaviour (Hamish Bigmore often falls victim) and cast various spells on pupils then apologise profusely but never know how to reverse the damage. Children will delight in these little moments and the glimpses of magic this amiable teacher offers us.
Ideal for a class read or a newly independent reader, the chapters are warm and funny. Carpenter portrays an eighties school in a welcoming, recognisable way with moments and humour that would be relatable in the present. I rather enjoyed how the magician would lose his temper with poor behaviour (Hamish Bigmore often falls victim) and cast various spells on pupils then apologise profusely but never know how to reverse the damage. Children will delight in these little moments and the glimpses of magic this amiable teacher offers us.
May 25, 2021
A beloved childhood read revisited. And how did it hold up? Fairly well.
While I can't read these pages with the same boundless enthusiasm as when I was eight years old, I do appreciate Carpenter's storytelling style far better. The chapters are neatly contained with their own three act structure and lesson. If only Hamish Bigmore actually learned this.
That being said, Hamish drew more of my attention during this read-through. His parents are away an awful lot which goes some way to explaining his acting out in the classroom and general disregard for authority. He is probably the brightest child in Class Three but needs a proper challenge. Considering what Mr Majeika accidentally puts him through, this must be a veritable gauntlet.
I would be curious to see the dear wizard's teaching qualifications. If he half-remembers his magic then goodness knows how he'll get on with the national curriculum. Nevertheless he seems to do quite well. Either that or the headmaster Mr Potter is completely under his spell.
My favourite chapters were the ones where Mr Potter struggled to comprehend the impossible feats before his very eyes. The idea of a class trying to prevent their oblivious teacher from thinking about flying to prevent him so he didn't actually fly really tickled me. It just goes to show that Carpenter knows how to write an effective children's story.
It was lovely returning to Mr Majeika's first adventure, no matter how brief it may seem now. I recommend Mr Majeika to parents or guardians seeking a light-hearted book about bumbling sorcerers in staid school environments.
While I can't read these pages with the same boundless enthusiasm as when I was eight years old, I do appreciate Carpenter's storytelling style far better. The chapters are neatly contained with their own three act structure and lesson. If only Hamish Bigmore actually learned this.
That being said, Hamish drew more of my attention during this read-through. His parents are away an awful lot which goes some way to explaining his acting out in the classroom and general disregard for authority. He is probably the brightest child in Class Three but needs a proper challenge. Considering what Mr Majeika accidentally puts him through, this must be a veritable gauntlet.
I would be curious to see the dear wizard's teaching qualifications. If he half-remembers his magic then goodness knows how he'll get on with the national curriculum. Nevertheless he seems to do quite well. Either that or the headmaster Mr Potter is completely under his spell.
My favourite chapters were the ones where Mr Potter struggled to comprehend the impossible feats before his very eyes. The idea of a class trying to prevent their oblivious teacher from thinking about flying to prevent him so he didn't actually fly really tickled me. It just goes to show that Carpenter knows how to write an effective children's story.
It was lovely returning to Mr Majeika's first adventure, no matter how brief it may seem now. I recommend Mr Majeika to parents or guardians seeking a light-hearted book about bumbling sorcerers in staid school environments.
October 28, 2011
Mr Majeika is a fun, easy to read book. Mr Majika turns up to Class Three at the begining of term and all is well at first. However this begins to change when Hamish Bigmore returns to his old tricks of generally being an unpleasant pupil, who refuse's to listen to the teachers.
Mr Majeika manages to turn him into a frog as well as giving him vampire teeth! Hamish begins to be kind to everyones astonishment but has he really changed or is there a bigger prize he has his eye on??
This was a very light-hearted book to read, I would recommend this for KS1 as the story line, although nicely written is very simple in content. I think children would enjoy listening to this story and could be used as an introduction to imaginative story writing. They could imagine what would happen if they had a magician for a teacher and the adventures they may have.
Mr Majeika manages to turn him into a frog as well as giving him vampire teeth! Hamish begins to be kind to everyones astonishment but has he really changed or is there a bigger prize he has his eye on??
This was a very light-hearted book to read, I would recommend this for KS1 as the story line, although nicely written is very simple in content. I think children would enjoy listening to this story and could be used as an introduction to imaginative story writing. They could imagine what would happen if they had a magician for a teacher and the adventures they may have.
March 10, 2017
Oh, nostalgia! I loved this when I was small.
January 14, 2022
With all do respect, Mr. Carpenter should have stuck with Inkling biographies
October 1, 2023
Brings back childhood memories of reading this book
August 27, 2015
Mr Majeika is the first book in a series of books that revolves around an extraordinary teacher with magical powers. Within the first book Mr Majeika begins his new job as a class three teacher but his entrance is far from what you would expect of a teacher. He arrives through the classroom window on a magic carpet which the children at the time are in disbelief of. It does not take long before Mr Majeika goes back to his wizardly ways. The first example is during lunchtime when one of the student’s lunch drops onto the floor and Mr Majeika picks it up and asks the child “What is your favourite food”. The child replies with chips and suddenly a plate full of chips appear for the child.
One of the main characters in the book apart from Mr Majeika himself has to be Hamish Bigmore, a child from class three who always seems to cause mischief and trouble to other children in his class and Mr Majeika. What does Mr Majeika do? He goes back to his old ways and uses his magic powers. One of the most dramatic moments in the book where as a reader you wonder has Mr Majeika taken it a step too far, is during a nature lesson where the class are learning about tadpoles and how they turn into frogs. Of course Hamish is causing mischief and so what does Mr Majeika do? He turns him into a frog. After a few days a solution is found for changing Hamish back from a frog which is to take part in a class role play where a princess kisses the frog in order for it return back into its human form. Thankfully, everything goes according to plan for Mr Majeika. There are further numerous situations where magic is used within the book, but from a readers perspective it is clear that the character of Mr Majeika is not making these situation occur intentionally but rather they are just out of his control.
Having read the book, I feel that it is more appropriate for children in the key stage two phase. It is a book which has a lot of adventure and creativity expressed within it which is something that can be used to support children from Years 3-6, particularly because it helps with their own individual creativity. This does not mean that this book is not applicable for children in key stage 1, particularly those that may be in a high ability reading group.
I personally feel that not only this book but the entire Mr Majeika series of books are great. This is particularly because of its ‘superhero’ feel like nature and magical element that children feel that they can relate to and would definitely recommend it.
One of the main characters in the book apart from Mr Majeika himself has to be Hamish Bigmore, a child from class three who always seems to cause mischief and trouble to other children in his class and Mr Majeika. What does Mr Majeika do? He goes back to his old ways and uses his magic powers. One of the most dramatic moments in the book where as a reader you wonder has Mr Majeika taken it a step too far, is during a nature lesson where the class are learning about tadpoles and how they turn into frogs. Of course Hamish is causing mischief and so what does Mr Majeika do? He turns him into a frog. After a few days a solution is found for changing Hamish back from a frog which is to take part in a class role play where a princess kisses the frog in order for it return back into its human form. Thankfully, everything goes according to plan for Mr Majeika. There are further numerous situations where magic is used within the book, but from a readers perspective it is clear that the character of Mr Majeika is not making these situation occur intentionally but rather they are just out of his control.
Having read the book, I feel that it is more appropriate for children in the key stage two phase. It is a book which has a lot of adventure and creativity expressed within it which is something that can be used to support children from Years 3-6, particularly because it helps with their own individual creativity. This does not mean that this book is not applicable for children in key stage 1, particularly those that may be in a high ability reading group.
I personally feel that not only this book but the entire Mr Majeika series of books are great. This is particularly because of its ‘superhero’ feel like nature and magical element that children feel that they can relate to and would definitely recommend it.
November 2, 2011
Mr Majeika and the haunted Hotel by Humphrey Carpenter
The focus on this particular story centres on the main character of Mr Majeika, a teacher at St Barty's Primary School. Mr Majeika however is no ordinary teacher who is constantly entering unusual and exciting adventures. When he and his class three find themselves stranded in a mysterious and creepy hotel it unfolds a series of incredible events. Within this creepy hotel some very spooky things starts to happen and immediately captures the reader’s attention. Incidents such as ghostly sounds, vanishing people through walls and doors followed by strange lights ignite the sense of mystery and adventure evident in this book. Other characters such as Hamish Bigmore also add to the humour that can also be seen in this book. Undoubtedly the mixture of mystery and humour that catches the reader’s attention along with the well detailed illustrations of the main characters and important events is what makes this book so good. The use of complex sentences are also of a good quality which would be beneficial to any child throughout his education within Key stage 2.
The focus on this particular story centres on the main character of Mr Majeika, a teacher at St Barty's Primary School. Mr Majeika however is no ordinary teacher who is constantly entering unusual and exciting adventures. When he and his class three find themselves stranded in a mysterious and creepy hotel it unfolds a series of incredible events. Within this creepy hotel some very spooky things starts to happen and immediately captures the reader’s attention. Incidents such as ghostly sounds, vanishing people through walls and doors followed by strange lights ignite the sense of mystery and adventure evident in this book. Other characters such as Hamish Bigmore also add to the humour that can also be seen in this book. Undoubtedly the mixture of mystery and humour that catches the reader’s attention along with the well detailed illustrations of the main characters and important events is what makes this book so good. The use of complex sentences are also of a good quality which would be beneficial to any child throughout his education within Key stage 2.
August 5, 2011
At some point in our childhoods, many of us would have wished that we could do magic so that we could fly or make things disappear and reappear again. Now imagine the excitement if we all had a wizard for a teacher!
Mr Majeika, unlike the rest of us, turns up for his first day at school on a magic carpet. Despite all his good intentions to be a teacher who does not do any magic, it seems that his wizardly background has some trouble staying hidden. When confronted with a badly behaved Hamish Bigmore, Mr Majeika finds that he unintentionally ends up casting spells he thought he had long forgotten, such as changing Hamish into a frog or giving him vampire teeth.
As we grow, we learn that the magicians we see on television are only performing tricks, so the magic of watching them somehow fades. Books like Mr Majeika can transport us to places where anything is possible and help keep the magic of childhood alive.
Mr Majeika, unlike the rest of us, turns up for his first day at school on a magic carpet. Despite all his good intentions to be a teacher who does not do any magic, it seems that his wizardly background has some trouble staying hidden. When confronted with a badly behaved Hamish Bigmore, Mr Majeika finds that he unintentionally ends up casting spells he thought he had long forgotten, such as changing Hamish into a frog or giving him vampire teeth.
As we grow, we learn that the magicians we see on television are only performing tricks, so the magic of watching them somehow fades. Books like Mr Majeika can transport us to places where anything is possible and help keep the magic of childhood alive.
October 25, 2025
This book is AWESOME. Mr Majeika is a teacher but also a wizard, which is like the best combo ever. He flies into the classroom on a magic carpet and turns a kid into a frog (don’t worry, he turns him back). I wish my teacher was like that. We just get worksheets.
The kids in the class are funny and kinda normal, so it feels like it could happen at my school. Except with more magic and less boring maths. Mr Majeika doesn’t always do spells right, which makes it even funnier. Like, one time he tries to help and it goes totally wrong and everyone’s like “uh oh.”
It’s not a long book and the words aren’t too hard, so I didn’t get stuck like I did with The Hobbit. I actually wanted to keep reading to see what weird stuff would happen next. There’s a bad guy called Wilhelmina Worlock and she’s super creepy, but Mr Majeika always finds a way to beat her.
Five stars because it’s funny, magical, and not confusing. I wish there were more books like this. I’m gonna read the next one for sure.
The kids in the class are funny and kinda normal, so it feels like it could happen at my school. Except with more magic and less boring maths. Mr Majeika doesn’t always do spells right, which makes it even funnier. Like, one time he tries to help and it goes totally wrong and everyone’s like “uh oh.”
It’s not a long book and the words aren’t too hard, so I didn’t get stuck like I did with The Hobbit. I actually wanted to keep reading to see what weird stuff would happen next. There’s a bad guy called Wilhelmina Worlock and she’s super creepy, but Mr Majeika always finds a way to beat her.
Five stars because it’s funny, magical, and not confusing. I wish there were more books like this. I’m gonna read the next one for sure.
October 5, 2024
My local library sells off second-hand books and I always browse them (natch!), especially the children's shelf for my granddaughters, looking for classics, as so many bookshops today only stock David Walliams and his ilk! With Hallowe'en coming up, and not wanting to add to the plastic landfill mountain, I thought some magical/witchy/wizardy stories and perhaps a few chocolate pumpkins might make a good parcel to send them, so I was really pleased to find half a dozen books by Humphrey Carpenter (I am, synchronistically, reading Tolkien's letters, edited by him, and had no idea HC also wrote children's stories).
I've enjoyed this, and think it will suit my seven year old granddaughter just fine.
I've enjoyed this, and think it will suit my seven year old granddaughter just fine.
October 5, 2020
There isn't anything I didn't like about this book. I liked it when the children flew up with the magic potion and when Hamish Bigmore made a cup of tea for Mr Majeika with a magic potion but Mr Potter drank it.I also liked when Hamish Bigmore was turned into a frog. I also liked it when HB had vampire teeth. I also like it when Mr Majeika said "Darling little Hamey"
July 31, 2017
Class 2 enjoyed this amusing story of a teacher with magic powers and the come-uppance of an unpleasant class mate; so it was a popular book.
At times I had to quickly edit out sexist language, but generally it is a good read-aloud for 7 and 8 year olds.
At times I had to quickly edit out sexist language, but generally it is a good read-aloud for 7 and 8 year olds.
March 28, 2021
My daughter (age 6) is working her way through this series at the moment and thoroughly enjoying them. She loves stories set in schools and Mr Majeika's magic that gets class 3 in (and out of) all sorts of trouble is a lot of fun.
May 9, 2021
Simpático, tiernucho, con aventuras y personajes bastante clásicos en su arquetipo. El final me sorprendió; pensé que iba a ser más tradicional.
Muy recomendable para niñes entre 7 y 9 años. Quizás hasta 10.
Muy recomendable para niñes entre 7 y 9 años. Quizás hasta 10.
March 20, 2023
This entertaining story for approximately grade three had me laughing out loud in about four scenarios. Delightful, even though Mr. Majeika is not too effective at managing the classroom cutup/bully.
October 15, 2018
Easy but fun and adventurous book to read.
April 28, 2019
Read it to the 6&8yos this time, and they really liked it. Still looking out for the rest of the series.
January 11, 2020
The books that got me into reading!
March 8, 2020
This is a book for children. I feel nostalgic about the atmosphere of school but honestly I didn’t enjoy so much. Does it mean I’ve grown up too much to enjoy?
December 12, 2020
My daughter loved hearing this story almost as much as I enjoyed reading it to her!
October 17, 2021
It was a good book because the teacher was a wizard.
August 13, 2022
It is ok
January 11, 2024
The storytelling is very creative. After all, what child doesn't want a wizard as their school teacher
July 14, 2024
A fun chapter book about a teacher who is not-so-secretly a wizard!
July 6, 2025
Good book for kids. Can’t wait to read the rest of the series. Very funny book, love all the characters
August 31, 2025
Sunnie didn’t seem all that enthused by it.
August 10, 2020
Amazing
It is a very good book it has lots of twist and turns and has a very creative story line.
It is a very good book it has lots of twist and turns and has a very creative story line.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews