Class Clown.

Gregory Bryan is a member of the Faculty of Education at the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg.

In the world of Canadian children’s literature, Robert Munsch and Michael Martchenko are arguably the most well-established, highly regarded, and successful author/illustrator team. They combine their enormous talents once again in Class Clown.

Almost from birth, Leonardo’s reputation has been built around his ability to make people laugh. “This kid is sooooo funny,” people chuckle. When he goes to school, Leonardo quickly earns the title of Class Clown. His teacher, Mrs. Gomez, soon insists, “Leonardo, you have to stop! The kids are laughing all the time, and nobody is learning.” Try as he might, however, Leonardo just cannot resist the urge to make people laugh, and, as such, he gets himself and his classmates in trouble.

Like other Munsch and Martchenko collaborations, this is a fun and funny book. Despite this, I have two primary reservations. In the illustrations, the students do not appear to be grade one children as the text states they are—they look at least a couple of grades older. Of greater significance, I think, is the poor ending. The final page of text and the accompanying second-to-last illustration are too simple, to the point of appearing forced, as if hurriedly employed to wrap up the story within the brief size constraints of a picture book. Given the high expectations with which we can justifiably approach a Munsch/Martchenko book, it is a disappointing conclusion that spoils an otherwise fine work. Recommended with reservations.