Mary Alice, Operator Number 9

by Jeffrey Allen, James Marshall (Illustrator)

When an efficient duck who gives the time over the telephone gets sick, other animals, believing the job to be easy, try to take her place.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens

Hardcover

First published January 1, 1975

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.

Reviews

[Nova Clary · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read a book called Mary Alice Operator No. 9 by Jeffrey Allen. It's a really interesting story about Mary Alice, a duck phone operator who gets sick and needs someone to fill in for her at work. In this book, Boss Chicken faces the challenge of getting a replacement. As the story goes on, many animals try to do her job but none are successful. It is filled with fun and laughter! Through the book, there are lessons about believing in yourself and being confident in your work. I really enjoyed reading it! One thing I liked about the book were all of the silly characters that tried her job. There wasn't anything I didn't like. The best part of the book for me was the artwork by James Marshall! Overall, I think this is a great book and I would recommend it to others because it is so silly!

[Amara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Super cute book, it's a shame that it isn't relevant anymore. :( Good luck explaining this to later millenials (not the Gen Y), let alone children of the current generation.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute, silly story. I'm sure this book will live forever on the bookshelves of those named Mary Alice despite the fact that the younger generations will not recognize her profession at all anymore!

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have absolutely loved this book, ever since I was a kid! Enjoying re-reading it to my boys 🥰

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

most everyday jobs are not as simple as they seem, therefore we salute you, mary alice operator number 9

[Robert · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a cute enough story, I suppose. It is very dated as Mary Alice is a telephone operator; specifically, the operator who reports the time. Perhaps there was a real person who did that once upon a time. My recollection is that the time was automated. Even so, is that a service offered these days? I suspect not.

Anyhow, Mary Alice is good at her job. She became sick and stayed home. Her boss seeks a replacement. It sounds, although is not stated, that the replacement that is sought is to be permanent. If not, then there is much concern over nothing as it is expected an ill employee will return within a couple days.

Nevertheless, no one is adequate. The snake scares callers. The dog, not surprisingly, was incompetent. And so it goes. Mary Alice eventually returns to work. Her boss is appreciative and let's her know it.

[Samantha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mary Alice is a telephone operator and the residents of the city can count on her to have the correct time. When she gets sick, a handful of other animals try to fill her shoes, even her own boss, all unsuccessfully.

Funny, though dated, with full color illustrations by James Marshall. I loved the amount of detail that Marshall put into each picture and his sense of humor. The expressions on the animals' faces is also classic Marshall.

Kids today might not be able to connect to it, but this picture book sure gives readers the feeling of life in old days.

[Bill Sannwald · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even though this book is dated as heck (who calls to get the current time these days?), it's so charming it has held up well. Ah, James Marshall's drawings... so cute! I love the message that nobody can truly be replaced, especially in this era of downsizing, budget cuts, and outsourcing. Even though others can fill in for Mary Alice when she's out sick, nobody can quite do the job she does. Very sweet book!

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I realized while reading this that kids today would have no idea what it was about. Operators no longer exist and most kids don't even have a landline. (Of course, operators like this didn't exist when I was a kid either, but I seemed to figure it out.) The pictures are cute and I still like the story. I'd love to hear what others think.

[Mary Alice · Rating 5 out of 5]

My name is Mary Alice, so imagine my delight when my dad bought me this book with my name in the title! A very fun children's book about a telephone operator with a sore throat. I was lucky to find a copy at a used book store and it now sits proudly on my own bookshelf at home.

[Miss Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

this story will probaby require some explanations because children will wonder why people are using their phones to call someone else for the correct time instead of looking at their phones, but the illustrations of the animals trying to fill in for Mary Alice are adorable.

[Chip · Rating 5 out of 5]

I laugh every time I read this one. Fabulous.

[Kari · Rating 3 out of 5]

Simple silly story, with classic James Marshall illustrations.

[Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

so funny