Fantastic Mr. Bean
When Lachie’s teacher calls for auditions for the class production of Fantastic Mr Fox, Lachie is keen to try out for the part of Mr Fox. However, he soon realises that being an actor involves more than just saying the lines and that sometimes, you don’t have to be the lead to be the star.
Fantastic Mr Bean is the story of a boy called Lachie who desperately wants to play the lead role in the class production of Fantastic Mr Fox. He auditions, and when he’s given the chance to play Mr Fox, he finds that life and acting can be confusing concepts to separate.
Available from Wardinis, Poppies and all good bookstores.
It's brilliant! Drama, heroism, smart mum and brother and proper kids being who they are. Ka pai! - Louise Ward, Wardini Books.
A well-written, fast-moving and highly engaging story with great believable characters and a warm heart. - Brin Murray, KidsBooksNZ
On the background of Fantastic Mr Bean:
Fantastic Mr Bean is a combination of ideas and stories, some true and some made up, that have come together in a beautiful, little, illustrated, first reader.
When my youngest son was about nine, he desperately wanted to be Mr Fox in the school production of Fantastic Mr Fox, and his older brother helped make him a fabulous foxtail as a prop. This was the impetus for the beginning of Fantastic Mr Bean.
I remember how excited my son was, when he got the part and how disappointed he was, when he realised Mr Fox was very sentimental and loving. The lines he had to say were too mushy.
This book has been illustrated by Lisa Allen from Auckland. I sent her a photo of my grandson, Lachie and she very cleverly drew his face on the cover.
The book is published by OneTree-House.
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If he were still alive Roald Dahl would have been 100 on September 13th 2016, while his Fantastic Mr Fox turned fifty years old in 2020. To celebrate, Lachie’s class is going to perform Fantastic Mr Fox as a play and Lachie is determined to have the role of Mr Fox.
‘I’m the best choice because it’s my favourite story,’ Lachie declares.
His older brother, Frank, helps Lachie practise for the role, and also creates a handsome tail made from a bottlebrush plant. After auditions, Lachie gets the role but his stubborn refusal to say any of Mr Fox’s romantic lines to Mrs Fox leads to difficulty.
‘You know I’m not saying stupid, soppy stuff,’ Lachie declares.
Sticking to his convictions, Lachie lets Chad have the role of Mr Fox, while he becomes Mr Bean, the repulsive fox-hating farmer. ‘There’s nothing soppy to say in Mr Bean’s lines,’ says Lachie, ‘And I pick my nose.’
It is clear to everyone in Lachie’s family that he really would rather be Mr Fox, but Lachie immerses himself in Bean’s personality, becoming scruffy and rough in his ways.
On the night, the play goes well and Lachie acts the curmudgeonly Bean very well. Then a sinister possibility threatens Areta, the girl who is playing Mrs Fox. Only Lachie spots the danger, and he is brave enough to break character and save Areta from harm.
All thus ends well, especially for Lachie and Roald Dahl fans. This young novel has a lively cast of characters, some gentle humour and a moral.
The graceful line illustrations are by Lisa Allen.
Mary-anne's grandsons at the book launch for Fantastic Mr Bean (From left: Ru, Archie & Lachie)
Mary-anne Scott with grandson, Lachie
Mary-anne reading from Fantastic Mr Bean with proud grandson Lachie
The bee themed cake at the launch of Fantastic Mr Bean
Fantastic Mr Bean was the chosen book for the first term of NZReadaloud 2021. These photos show the beautiful children at St Pat’s school in Napier, (years 3 and 4) until the amazing care of Crystal Hewett. I was lucky enough to read them a chapter and give a workshop. Thanks Crystal.
Mary-anne reads Fantastic Mr Bean to a class at North Street School in Fielding, Manawatu.
Lachie reading Fantastic Mr Bean
Review for Fantastic Mr Bean
Lachie's school is putting on Fantastic Mr Fox by Roald Dahl to celebrate Dahl's 100th birthday. But, as we all know, school plays are notoriously full of surprises and this play is no different.
When Lachie's teacher calls for auditions, Lachie is keen to try out for the part of Mr Fox. However, he soon realises that being an actor involves more than just saying the lines, and that sometimes you don't have to be the lead to be the star.
This junior novel by author Mary-anne Scott is a sweet and simple story about a young boy doing the right thing by his peers. Scott is a well-known New Zealand writer, who, once again, does a wonderful job in portraying accurate family dynamics and relationships. Lachie and his big brother Frank have a realistic and relatable relationship - there's lots of joking around and teasing, but the boys also collaborate and co-operate, coming together to show resourcefulness and innovation.
Illustrator Lisa Allen adds her little touches throughout the book. It was especially clever to include illustration of items younger readers may not yet be aware of - an epipen and a bottlebrush branch for example - to aid readers.
The length of the book, and Scott's language which is perfectly pitched for the audience, makes this a great transition book for younger readers wanting to move from picture books to fiction books. Scott really understands these types of readers with Fantastic Mr Bean. It is entertaining and easy to read, with a predictable and uncomplicated story line. The linear plot - which grabs the reader's interest - and a central character they can both relate to and admire, sets junior readers up for success.
Fantastic Mr Bean is a great junior fiction novel to help build younger reader's stamina, strengthen their confidence, while allowing them to develop a sense of themselves as readers. — Rebekah Lyell, NZ Book Lovers