Written & illustrated by Jamie Harper
Published by Candlewick Press
Count on Miss Mingo and her irresistible class of critters to make a special school-year milestone a day to remember.
It’s the hundredth day of school, and Miss Mingo the Flamingo has quite a day planned for her diverse class of animals. First, the students share projects that celebrate the number one hundred: Centipede does one hundred jumping jacks, Panda shows off two bundles of fifty bamboo stalks, and other students share five sets of twenty footprints and other combos to get to the magic number. Later the class works together to create sculptures out of one hundred paper cups (Octopus is particularly helpful), and the day becomes as much about self-expression as it is a number—especially when Miss Mingo has the whole class make silly faces for one hundred seconds! In the fourth book of her ingenious series, Jamie Harper invites readers into Miss Mingo’s warm, creative classroom for a story inspired by hundredth-day activities in real schools, combining a lively text that integrates fascinating facts about the animals with humorously detailed illustrations that capture the students’ excited energy. Readers will easily find one hundred things to love about Miss Mingo’s joyful celebration, as well as fun ideas for planning their own.
FOR EDUCATORS: There are a number of great ways to share this picture book biography with readers of all ages. Download the EDUCATOR’S GUIDE, the ACTIVITY KIT including templates for making finger puppets and designing your own parade balloons.
Here’s a short video celebrating the Texas Bluebonnet Nomination.
The University of Minnesota Kerlan Collection created the Engineering of a Picture Book, a comprehensive digital resource about making this picture book biography.
“Miss Mingo and her kindergarten class of animals are back, this time celebrating both the 100th day of school and one another’s amazing capabilities. . . . Harper’s cartoon illustrations highlight the class’s enthusiasm and emotions. . . .The 100th day of school has never looked this diverse.”
— Kirkus Reviews
“The author’s whimsical artistry of the various animals is fun and friendly, and the pastel colors throughout the book give the characters and their classroom a cheerful look and feel. VERDICT A lovely book as a read-aloud or for independent enjoyment.”
— Booklist