John Patrick Norman McHennessy: The Boy Who Was Always Late

I have wanted to buy this book for ages...I read this and loved the simple storyline...it is very 'old school' but brilliantly written....excellent for young readers and little imaginative writers....superb book....could be used for an English lesson or SEAL lesson...illustrations are basic but witty....totally love the twist at the end of the book....

This is such a beautiful, clever, insightful, witty book. Every child should own it. it is gentle and wry and I am amazed how even very young children understand the underlying messages in john Burningham books. No need to replace ANY of the words?! It is perfect. Check out also The Magic Bed and possibly the greatest picture book ever - Would you Rather. Buy it! :)

I really recommend this book- There's great repetition and the children that I've read it too were really engaged with it. A good ending too that makes children think a little more about the story. Great book!

Another classic for children up to the age of 10 years. I read it out loud in a twee Scottish accent which causes lots of laughter. It was a great favourite of my classes when I was teaching.

An interesting story and good for the young creative imagination of our young ones. The book though paperback is of good quality. The story is about a small boy named John Patrick Norman McHennessy who is always late for school. The adventures he has on his way to school can really accommodate a young mind's imagination. In the end, his teacher is late, with a little adventure of his own. The illustrations are simple and blends well with the story. An interesting read for the youngster ones.

I read this book years ago, and wanted my class of Y3 - 'low level behaviour children to see what happened years ago if they misbehaved'! They would get lines! it's done the trick!!!

Love John Burningham's books. Excellent story!

Children thought up lots of their own excuses! Got the imagination going and was a lot of fun. McHennessy was a bit of a toungue twister to say when reading aloud!

Used to get it out of the library for my kids. Hopefully dated now in terms of teaching methods but bought it for myself as it expresses a lot of what did happen in the "sausage factory" of schooling to kids who thought differently. Burningham one of my favorite children's author's

Fabulous!

今回、日本語版も一緒に購入しました。日本語版を子どもに読み聞かせると、とても気に入って、何度も読まされます。

This book tickles me! I am a teacher and have read it so many times to students that I have to get another copy. Kids really love this story. It is a little bit of a surprise to them when the teacher tells John that if he keeps telling lies he might hit him with his stick, but he doesn't ever get hit so it just serves to grab the kids' attention. The book isn't explicit because you can see the things that could never happen, "happening" but maybe it is the boy's imagination. Since you never know for sure it is a great book to talk about how different people can interpret books in different ways depending on their experiences or mindset. You could even have kids present the evidence that made them think the things really did or really didn't happen. Awesome book!

I loved this book as a kid and I bought it for my daughter and she loved it too.