SuitabookThe magical Ms. Plum
Bonny Becker
- Reading
- Read a few episodes at a time and pause after each animal appears. Compare what changes externally with what the pupil understands, chooses or still needs from others.
- Themes
- Magical animals as responses to pupil difficulties: Ms Plum’s cupboard produces animals associated with particular pupils’ behaviour, worries, confidence or relationships. The encounters are presented as humorous and sometimes comforting, but one response finds some pairings illogical or confusing.
- Belonging and social change: A child without friends becomes socially included after receiving unusual animals, while another child learns to accept a classmate’s different interests. The situations foreground acceptance and friendship, but one account questions whether past insults receive meaningful repair.
- Worry, gloom and outward change: Nadia’s worries are soothed by a kitten; Jeremy’s gloomy presentation changes after a raven encounter; other pupils gain confidence through animal experiences. The book treats these shifts with humour and magical comfort, while one account questions whether outward change adequately addresses underlying difficulty.
- Worth knowing
- Some portrayals may merit discussion: a gloomy child’s appearance and manner change abruptly, social exclusion is eased through unusual means, and a child’s worries include frightening news and sleeplessness.