The best (and worst) teachers in children’s books

 

 

 

It’s World Teacher Day today so let’s celebrate the amazing work you all do! I have listed a few of the best (and a few of the worst) teachers in children’s books, but who is your favourite fictional teacher and why?

 

The best

Miss Honey from Matilda by Roald Dahl

Professor McGonagall and Dumbledore from the Harry Potter series by JK Rowling

Mr Gee from Once Upon an Ordinary School Day by Colin McNaughton and Satoshi Kitamura (ill.)

Miss Lupescu from The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman

Miss Strechberry from Love that Dog by Sharon Creech

Mrs Peterson from The Junkyard Wonders by Patricia Polacco (many of her books feature inspirational teachers)

Mr Tushman in Wonder by RJ Palacio

 

 

 

 

 

The worst

Miss Trunchball from Matilda by Roald Dahl

The headmaster in The Demon Headmaster by Gillian Cross

Dolores Umbridge and Professor Snape from the Harry Potter series (although appearances can be deceptive…)

 

Who else can you add to the list? 

 

 

                                                           

 

 

2 thoughts on “The best (and worst) teachers in children’s books

  1. Hello! I think one of the most unpleasant teachers in children’s books has to be Mrs Ebbel, from There’s a Boy in the Girls’ Bathroom, by Louis Sacher. Mrs Ebbel is so unkind to Bradley, and even though he’s naughty and a bit rebellious, he doesn’t deserve to be singled out so negatively by His class teacher. I remember reading this book to my year 5 class, and they sensed the injustice! It’s a great book by the way, for anyone who hasn’t read it yet!

    1. Oh yes, Mrs Ebbel! She is very unpleasant. I remember the bit at the start of the book where she doesn’t intervene when the children talk about how horrible it would be to sit next to Bradley, and she even apologises to the new student who has to sit there. There’s a Boy in the Girl’s Bathroom is a great book though. Thanks for pointing this one out Kerenza!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *