32 Third Graders and One Class Bunny

Most books about education focus on what is wrong in many schools, and most point out that ample resources, parental and community support, and gifted teachers are what will solve the crisis situation that faces so many schools. Teacher Phillip Done in his book THIRTY TWO THIRD GRADERS AND A CLASSROOM BUNNY addresses education not by stating its problems; instead he shows us the difference a gifted teacher can make who truly loves being in the classroom and loves the young people in his charge. THIRTY TWO THIRD GRADERS AND A CLASSROOM BUNNY is a collection of anecdotes, observations, one line quips, and stories about every day life in a classroom. The reader begins a typical school year in Done's class and shares the ups and downs of classroom life in an upbeat and often witty manner. Most entries are a page or two long and have a humorous tone to them. Readers see that Done loves teaching, adores children, and sees the importance of his profession. The book shows that Done believes the old adage of teaching that "by your students you will be taught" and believes the lessons he learns by teaching are valuable to others as well. In the book, Done states "The main reason I became a teacher is that I like being the first one to introduce kids to words and music and books and people and numbers and concepts and ideas they had never heard of ort thought of before. I like being the first one to tell them about Long John Silver and negative numbers and alliteration and `Oh What A Beautiful Morning' and similes and right angles and Ebenezer Scrooge." We see in the book that Done does this and more in his classroom. More than likely, readers who are parents will read this book and think "I wish my child had a teacher like Phillip Done." While Done's abilities are many, his dedication is not uncommon and the magic he creates is not unique. It happens in schoolrooms all across the country every day. The difference between Done and the many anonymous teachers in classrooms is that he was nominated for a Disney Award for Teaching Excellence and he has a gift with words that allowed him to put his story on paper. His story and observations are the same as many teachers, at least teachers who share Done's hope and excitement about education. We are lucky. We get a glimpse inside of Done's classroom, but what Done has accomplished as a teacher happens every day in classrooms across the country. Perhaps the bets way to show appreciation for THIRTY TWO CHILDREN AND A CLASSROOM BUNNY is not to point at all the faults of education but to thank the many people, who like Done are dedicated to children and the future, support teachers and encourage others who show the same dedication and enthusiasm to become teachers.

Done has done good. Oops, I mean done well. What a terrific read!! I know so many people in education who speak poignantly of the obstacles they must hurdle to teach childen, and this book will be a comfort and inspiration to each one. This is no puff piece, but great and accessible writing about essential issues or early childhood education and the policy supporting it (or not...) Done covers everything from inadequate classroom supplies (that a teacher must cover out-of-pocket), discovering and tactfully handling parent illiteracy, the problems of labeling and separating "gifted" children from those ridiculously-labelled as "non-gifted," and finally...explaining why the class girl bunny produced all those wittle wabbits after it spent the weekend with a 3rd-grader whose pet was a boy bunny. But while absorbing all this , the reader never realizes that s/he's devouring anything more than pure enjoyment, as Done makes sure it's all executed with objectivity and almost a hint self-deprecation that makes him and his students such characters of empathy. I am a childless classical musician, not even an educator. Yet I can see that those who only KNOW anyone with an elementary-school-age child will love this book. Done is a teacher, a man , and a grownup sometimes frustrated with the resources of an underfunded school district (even in relatively-"monied" Silicon Valley.) But most of all, I finished this book with the indelible impression of Done as a human being who cares deeply about the future of children and education. Buy it, read it, then give it to your friends, whether parents or not.

This is a must read book. I laughed and laughed and couldn't put it down. I found myself shaking my head YES! YES! and relating to the things written. I matters not what grade you teach this is worth the time to sit down and read.

I haven't even finished the book and feel compelled to write. Mr. Done has managed to convey my first day of school feelings, my last day of school feelings, anxiety over back to school night, and what names to avoid when naming your own children, as well as the battle with the laminator to perfection. I am with him every step of the way on this journey through the school year. By Christmas I predict this will be the most purchased book by teachers and for teachers. I will be retiring in a few years, and this book was the perfect pick-me-up and reminder of why I still love teaching, and still love teaching third grade. Thank you, Mr. Done!

With great wit and heart, Phillip Done shares an insider's view of life in an elementary school classroom. "32 Third Graders and One Class Bunny" give an honest and hilarious account of what really happens at school. This book is magic! I could not put it down. It made me laugh out loud, it made me cry and it made me think. Mr. Done's opening chapter, "I Am a Teacher" is destined to become a classic and may soon find itself on a Hallmark mug that he does not yet have. This book is a celebration of what's right in American schools. I have told everyone I know about this wonderful book. I have already bought several copies to give to my children's teachers in the Fall and have even sent one to my own third grader teacher, whose lessons have been an influence on my life for more than thirty years.