Mr Bambuckle's Remarkables; Tim Harris, illustrated by James Hart

After Miss Schlump falls in love with a helicopter pilot and moves to Switzerland, class 12B at Blue Valley School find themselves needing a new teacher. Replacement teacher Mr Bambuckle is nothing like they have seen before. He wears a dazzling blue suit, rides a unicycle, cooks breakfast at the front of the class and has a very unique approach to learning. Sometimes change is good and school is never going to be the same again for Mr Bambuckle’s remarkables…

School-based stories that are relatable and resonate with young readers are always going to be a hit and Tim Harris, a former primary school teacher, knows exactly what makes kids tick. Mr Bambuckle and his class of remarkables make for the most entertaining of reads and there is a whole lot of fun to be had from sharing stories to designing stickers to brainstorming new apps to racing drones.

Mr Bambuckle is the teacher many children would love to have - he’s entertaining, engaging and makes learning fun, all to the frustration of grumpy principal Mr Sternblast who is overly keen to rid the children of their new favourite staff member. When he’s not teaching children, performing magic or sharing anecdotes from his many life-experiences he is getting children to share their own stories and helping them learn something about themselves along the way.

He may be unique and eccentric and teaches in a very unorthodox manner but he has the best interests of the children in his care at heart and he is just what 12B need. Mr Bambuckle recognises the children for who they they are, treats them like individuals and helps them in so many ways; reconnecting them with their learning, helping them address their own issues, unlocks potential, encourages the pursuit of passions and successfully brings the class back together again. He does what all great teachers do and brings out the best in everyone!

The whole thing basks in fun and silliness with punchy writing, lively illustrations and plenty of quirky inclusions like a dating guide of dos and dont’s, a chapter entitled ‘Totes Notes’ that is essentially an old-school style note past back-and-forth between classmates, fifteen ridiculous uses for a bicycle and a very amusing and rather confusing conversation with Canteen Carol, the ferocious school lunch lady. School has never been so much fun!

The first book in the series ends on a big cliffhanger with Mr Bambuckle given his marching orders by a very unimpressed principal. But the remarkables are determined to hold onto the best teacher ever, as he has taught them, ‘For every great problem, there’s an equally great solution.’ But can the remarkables fight back and bring Mr Bambuckle’s brilliant ways back to Blue Valley School?

Recommended for 7+.