The Incredible Shrinking Lunchroom

(Hardback)

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This modern retelling of the classic Yiddish folktale and Caldecott Honor book It Could Always Be Worse asks- What do you do when the school lunchroom gets too crowded The students at Parley Elementary have a hard time using the space in their lunchroom efficiently. When they get tired of shoving and arguing, they write a letter to their principal asking for help. She responds by moving all the science projects into the lunchroom. Now it's even more crowded! Through a series of letters and increasingly hilarious scenarios, the lunchroom gets more and MORE chaotic. When the principal finally announces that the lunchroom is once again only to be used for lunch, the students are overjoyed with the result.

Reviews

Can a principled principal help beleaguered students

The students at Parley Elementary School are fed up with their overcrowded, noisy, messy lunchroom. Soliciting help via polite correspondence with their principal, Ms. Mensch, they receive peculiar advice: Science projects should be placed on lunchroom tables; classroom pets should be brought to the lunchroom; sports teams must practice in the lunchroom. After carrying out these odd instructionsand seeing the situation deteriorate furtherthe desperate kids fire off another entreaty. Ever optimistic Ms. Menschs new solution Projects, animals, and athletes must exit the lunchroom pronto. The result The lunchroom is wonderfully spacious, neat, and quiet! Readers will note and appreciate that Ms. Mensch, who enjoys eating privately at her own desk, receives ample rewards in the end. The authors note mentions that this story was inspired by a wise, witty Yiddish folktale, which serves as the basis for Margot Zemachs It Could Always Be Worse. This book succeeds as an updated, equally humorous parable that conveys the realities of todays schools and educators while emphasizing the moral to put life in perspective and be grateful for what one has. Children will relate to the students predicament and chuckle over the extremes they undergo to achieve a fix. The riotous digital illustrations capably match the comical shenanigans. Students are depicted diverse as to race, ethnicity, and physical ability. Ms. Mensch is light-skinned; some children wear kippot, and one child wears a patka.

Sage, farcical wisdom for lunchtime or any time.

Kirkus Reviews


The classic Jewish folktale about the crowded house that becomes even more crowded when the wise rabbi suggests adding farm animals to the mix has been told in countless versions over the years, some using the traditional village setting, others avariety of unique twists. This new take on the story is set in amodern-day school building and, when the story begins, the lunchroom is packed with students. It is so crowded that its hard to find aplace to sit and food spills on everyone and everything. The students write aletter to Mrs. Mensch, the principal, asking for asolution to the problem. Much as the sage, learned rabbi in the original tale, Mrs. Mensch has her own methods that are not apparent to the students. The science fair displays are moved to the lunchroom, the classroom pets are relocated to the tables, and the sports teams are invited in for practice. When the students complain about the overcrowding, which is even worse than before, the sports teams return outdoors, the pets to the classrooms, and the science projects to the hallways. The students can now enjoy the roomy luxury of theirnew lunchroom.

An authors note credits one version of the story,It Could Always Be Worseby Margot Zemach, as the inspiration for this rollicking book, with its amusing, cartoon-like illustrations and straightforward yet delightful prose. Babay retells Zemachs story, citing the positive effect it has had on her life and highlighting the Jewish concept ofsameach bchelko, or being grateful for all one has. Babay also uses the opportunity to reflect on the overcrowding in many schools and the toll this takes on dedicated teachers. She expresses the hope that the situation will improve and gives awell-deserved nod to educators who teach in overcrowded schools, emphasizing that apositive point of view goes along way in ameliorating conditions while working for change.

This charming take on the classic story can be used by parents and teachers to promote discussion, but it is also just plainfun.

Jewish Book Council

Author Bio

Michal Babay is a former teacher and elementary school resource specialist who decided to follow her writing dreams. She is the author of I'm a Gluten Sniffing Service Dog and lives in California with her husband, three kids, three dogs, one cat, and a bearded dragon named Gus Pirate Potato. Paula Cohen has a BFA in Illustration from Parsons School of Design and was an editorial illustrator before returning to her first love, children's books. She is the illustrator of Honey on the Page. www.paulacohenillustration.com