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4 out of 4 stars
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Because of so many people moving in, the small town of Spiderville is experiencing an increase in population. The local school of Insect Elementary is now in desperate need of new teachers to accommodate the growing number of enrollees. The principal hires a woman named Miss Centipede, who turns out to be an excellent teacher. She’s kind, considerate, and can handle up to one hundred students in one class! But what makes Miss Centipede an exceptional teacher is because of a secret. What could it be?
Miss Centipede by CP Wilson is a children’s book about tolerance. Colorful illustrations accompany the text, making this book perfect for children with short attention spans because the bright, full-page illustrations would easily capture their interest.
I noticed that the drawings feature adults and children of varying races and facial features. I appreciated this subtle detail because I could imagine young readers’ delight upon seeing characters who look like them or somebody they know. It’s also a simple demonstration of how diversity looks likes in an accepting and harmonious environment.
Because this is a short book, the author does not dwell on unnecessary descriptions. The language is simple and straightforward, so kids who are just learning to read can follow along with ease. Moreover, the author’s enthusiasm exudes in her writing style. The storytelling is my favorite aspect of the book because it is very conversational in a manner that directly addresses a young reader. For example, “While he was scouring the newspaper for the ad department telephone number, he saw a headline that read: ‘Spiderville Declared First Sanctuary City.’ (By the way, boys and girls, this is how you say it: SANK-CHU-AIRY. Sanctuary, it means a place that welcomes everyone.)”
There is no hostility upon the arrival of the new residents of Spiderville. The locals are accepting and are willing to take more people as much as they can. A story like this is essential in teaching children to be more accepting of other people and develop a mind free of any biases. Although the target audience of this book is children, this is also suitable for adults who are dealing with a child. From what I can glean, the story further teaches the importance of patience and willingness to cultivate all sorts of creative ways to earn a child’s adoration.
There was nothing I disliked about the story. I rate Miss Centipede 4 out of 4 stars for the entertaining story, colorful illustrations, enthusiastic writing, and the important message it contains. The overall editing quality is excellent, as there is only one minor error. This book is appropriate for children of all ages, but kids around 5 to 9 years old would appreciate it more. I would also advise teachers and parents to read this book for the relevant message it conveys.
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Miss Centipede
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