Ms McCaw Learns to Draw by Kaethe Zemach.

Dudley wasn’t very good at schoolwork.  He had trouble paying attention and it can take him awhile to learn new concepts.  When he didn’t know how to do his work, he doodled.  His new teacher, Ms. McCaw, took the time to explain new concepts to him, over and over again if necessary.  The whole class thought that Ms. McCaw knew everything until one day she tried to draw a face on the board.  She tried and tried, but finally gave up.  But Dudley wouldn’t let her, and volunteered to teach her how to draw a face.  He patiently did it again and again until he covered the entire board and then asked Ms. McCaw to try.  And she did it!

Zemach has created a wonderful picture book where there is real teaching and learning happening for both students and teachers.  It speaks to everyone having their own strengths and weaknesses, the need for people to try hard to learn new things, and the ability for students to be educators.  The illustrations are friendly, bright and winning, especially the many faces that Dudley draws as examples on the board. 

Recommended for classes to talk about why not to tease people about their abilities and to talk about their own strengths and weaknesses.  Appropriate for ages 5-8.