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Baby Aliens #3
My Headteacher is a Vampire Rat!
The third zippy and zany tale by Pamela Butchart sees Izzy and her friends plunged into more primary-school craziness. This time, they decide that their new head teacher is a vampire rat, based on his being slightly scary, having the blinds drawn in his office during the day and the fact he's banned garlic bread at lunchtimes. Now they just have to come up with a plan to vanquish him... Readers of all ages love these books but they really strike a chord with 7 -9 year olds, who firmly believe that every hilarious thing that happens could happen to them too!
Paperback
First published January 8, 2015
39 people are currently reading
266 people want to read
About the author
Pamela Butchart
83 books116 followersAs a child, Pamela was lucky enough to grow up in a house full of pets and go to a primary school where lots of spooky and weird things happened (well, in her imagination at least). As a student, Pamela’s student jobs included: fishwife, teaching basketball in America, phlebotomist and Artist Liaison for a (really bad) Abba tribute band. Now, when she’s not writing or going out and about meeting readers, Pamela teaches philosophy to teenagers.
Her top selling stories include The Spy Who Loved School Dinners which won the Blue Peter Best Story Award and My Head Teacher is a Vampire Rat which won The Children’s Book Award. Two of her books, Petunia Peri and There’s a Werewolf in My Tent, were shortlisted for the Lollies – the Laugh Out Loud Awards.
Pamela lives in Dundee with her baby boy and their two awesome cats, Bear & Carlos. If she wasn’t working as a writer and a teacher she’d like to open a luxury hotel for stray cats.
Her top selling stories include The Spy Who Loved School Dinners which won the Blue Peter Best Story Award and My Head Teacher is a Vampire Rat which won The Children’s Book Award. Two of her books, Petunia Peri and There’s a Werewolf in My Tent, were shortlisted for the Lollies – the Laugh Out Loud Awards.
Pamela lives in Dundee with her baby boy and their two awesome cats, Bear & Carlos. If she wasn’t working as a writer and a teacher she’d like to open a luxury hotel for stray cats.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews
September 27, 2020
Skaitėme septynmečiui aš ir močiutė, ir visiems trims patiko. Septynmečiui patiko taip, kad po kurio laiko užsinorėjo vėl paskaityti.
Knyga smagi, greitai ir lengvai skaitosi. Jos veikėjai - keturi moksleiviai, pastebintys aplinkui vykstančias keistenybes ir būtinai norintys jas išsiaiškinti. Tik jų tyrimams kiša koją Okamo skustuvas ir patvirtinimo tendencingumas (confirmation bias), o pokalbio temas nukreipinėjantys suaugėliai tik patvirtina jų įsitikinimus.
Gera knyga norint pasikalbėti apie tai, iš kur mes žinom, kad tai, ką žinom, yra tiesa. Jei vaikas ar pats/pati nesate linkę į epistemologinius svarstymus, tai tiesiog smagi knyga apie smagius nuotykius mokykloje. Kas žino, gal paskaitę vaikai ieško vampyrų savo mokykloje :)
Tai man primena siaubingai grūzinusias studijas VGTU, kur pasilinksminimui buvau susigalvojusi, kad nekenčiamiausias dėstytojas iš tiesų yra numiręs ir jo skeletas sėdi prie kokio nors stalo VGTU rūsiuose, o paskaitas veda jo vaiduoklis, ir jis toks visą laiką piktas, nes negali išeiti iš univero ribų, ir būdamas vaiduokliu net pavalgyti negali, o riebaluose keptų Bandelių Fėjos bandelių kvapas sklinda po visą pastatą ir varo iš proto.
O ką? Jo dar niekas nėra matęs paliekančio VGTU teritoriją, ir bandelės valgančio irgi nėra matę :)) O rūsiai irgi klaidūs...
Knyga smagi, greitai ir lengvai skaitosi. Jos veikėjai - keturi moksleiviai, pastebintys aplinkui vykstančias keistenybes ir būtinai norintys jas išsiaiškinti. Tik jų tyrimams kiša koją Okamo skustuvas ir patvirtinimo tendencingumas (confirmation bias), o pokalbio temas nukreipinėjantys suaugėliai tik patvirtina jų įsitikinimus.
Gera knyga norint pasikalbėti apie tai, iš kur mes žinom, kad tai, ką žinom, yra tiesa. Jei vaikas ar pats/pati nesate linkę į epistemologinius svarstymus, tai tiesiog smagi knyga apie smagius nuotykius mokykloje. Kas žino, gal paskaitę vaikai ieško vampyrų savo mokykloje :)
Tai man primena siaubingai grūzinusias studijas VGTU, kur pasilinksminimui buvau susigalvojusi, kad nekenčiamiausias dėstytojas iš tiesų yra numiręs ir jo skeletas sėdi prie kokio nors stalo VGTU rūsiuose, o paskaitas veda jo vaiduoklis, ir jis toks visą laiką piktas, nes negali išeiti iš univero ribų, ir būdamas vaiduokliu net pavalgyti negali, o riebaluose keptų Bandelių Fėjos bandelių kvapas sklinda po visą pastatą ir varo iš proto.
O ką? Jo dar niekas nėra matęs paliekančio VGTU teritoriją, ir bandelės valgančio irgi nėra matę :)) O rūsiai irgi klaidūs...
November 29, 2017
Am vorbit despre ea aici: https://youtu.be/188w4f4sHy0
June 6, 2018
What would you do if you suspect your new headteacher is a vampire rat?
A Baby Aliens that I loved! I guess this is going to be a series of hits and misses. So far 3 hits, 2 misses, 3 books still to go. Oh well, I like a challenge and I was definitely happy that one of my libraries, miraculously, had one book, this one, in its collection. *cheers*
This time our kids are into a new adventure, and boy they sure have a big imagination. To the point that it goes too far at times. But in this adventure I could mostly forgive them. The new headteacher was quite the character. I can imagine that the kids mistook him for a vampire. Dark clothes, dark office, hissing sounds, mice/rats everywhere, his reaction to blood, him banning garlic, the way he acts around people and the kids. Then there is the whole thing of where did the old headteacher go? Yep, all points that, with the right imagination, can lead to vampire suspicions.
I had fun to see the kids go on a hunt for more proof, figuring out more and more about vampires (though the one investigating found it mostly boring). I had a big laugh at the mom of one of the kids and how she went on and on about Edward. Yes, that glittering Edward. :P How it went from just vampires to something even bigger. It was quite funny that these kids could think of something like this.
I do have to say that making fun of allergies is not something I like that much. Knowing that someone is allergic and still wear garlic necklaces around them is a big no no. Especially not when you saw what happened because he ate something with garlic.
Maisy? I just don't like the girl. Don't get me wrong, she seems a sweet girl, but her constant fainting, her constant just going craycray about the stupidest things, her thinking she has all sorts of scary stuff, and should I go on? Really, first it was kind of funny that this girl was such a scaredycat, but after 5 (well 4.5 books) I am just getting sick and tired. I think this girl should seek professional help because really, this is just not healthy. And maybe someone should seek help for the mom as well as she is definitely a factor in the reason why her girl turned out this way.
I do think it is funny that Jodi has a different talent/hobbies in each book. From survivalling to disasters/emergencies. I am curious what kind of talents/hobbies she has in the 3 books I still need to read.
The ending was quite fun, and I am happy with what the kids did for their new headteacher. I am also happy with his reaction and how he tried to explain everything to the kids. As to what was hissing, I had a suspicion, and I was right! Haha, that fits so well with the headteacher.
And, like the other books, this book is delightfully illustrated with lots of fun and hilarious illustrations. I just love Thomas Flintham's illustrations.
Oh, plus points to the title, I just adore it.
All in all, I would recommend this book to people. It is funny and hilarious.
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
A Baby Aliens that I loved! I guess this is going to be a series of hits and misses. So far 3 hits, 2 misses, 3 books still to go. Oh well, I like a challenge and I was definitely happy that one of my libraries, miraculously, had one book, this one, in its collection. *cheers*
This time our kids are into a new adventure, and boy they sure have a big imagination. To the point that it goes too far at times. But in this adventure I could mostly forgive them. The new headteacher was quite the character. I can imagine that the kids mistook him for a vampire. Dark clothes, dark office, hissing sounds, mice/rats everywhere, his reaction to blood, him banning garlic, the way he acts around people and the kids. Then there is the whole thing of where did the old headteacher go? Yep, all points that, with the right imagination, can lead to vampire suspicions.
I had fun to see the kids go on a hunt for more proof, figuring out more and more about vampires (though the one investigating found it mostly boring). I had a big laugh at the mom of one of the kids and how she went on and on about Edward. Yes, that glittering Edward. :P How it went from just vampires to something even bigger. It was quite funny that these kids could think of something like this.
I do have to say that making fun of allergies is not something I like that much. Knowing that someone is allergic and still wear garlic necklaces around them is a big no no. Especially not when you saw what happened because he ate something with garlic.
Maisy? I just don't like the girl. Don't get me wrong, she seems a sweet girl, but her constant fainting, her constant just going craycray about the stupidest things, her thinking she has all sorts of scary stuff, and should I go on? Really, first it was kind of funny that this girl was such a scaredycat, but after 5 (well 4.5 books) I am just getting sick and tired. I think this girl should seek professional help because really, this is just not healthy. And maybe someone should seek help for the mom as well as she is definitely a factor in the reason why her girl turned out this way.
I do think it is funny that Jodi has a different talent/hobbies in each book. From survivalling to disasters/emergencies. I am curious what kind of talents/hobbies she has in the 3 books I still need to read.
The ending was quite fun, and I am happy with what the kids did for their new headteacher. I am also happy with his reaction and how he tried to explain everything to the kids. As to what was hissing, I had a suspicion, and I was right! Haha, that fits so well with the headteacher.
And, like the other books, this book is delightfully illustrated with lots of fun and hilarious illustrations. I just love Thomas Flintham's illustrations.
Oh, plus points to the title, I just adore it.
All in all, I would recommend this book to people. It is funny and hilarious.
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
February 11, 2025
[zapoznałam się z wersją audio, więc ominęły mnie obrazki!]
To było niewiarygodnie przyjemne!! Zdarzyło mi się zaśmiać na niektórych kwestiach czy zwrotach akcji. Szczurzy wampir hell yeah! Szkoda tylko, że postaci były mało zniuansowane (well, zgaduję, że po jednej cesze charakteru na bohatera wystarcza :'>). Mimo tego odsłucham jeszcze paru innych książek z tej serii (mam nadzieję, że nie będzie w nich Marysi, bo mała może zejść na zawał serca w każdej chwili!!)
…ᘛ⁐̤ᕐᐷ
6,5(a nuż więcej?)/10
To było niewiarygodnie przyjemne!! Zdarzyło mi się zaśmiać na niektórych kwestiach czy zwrotach akcji. Szczurzy wampir hell yeah! Szkoda tylko, że postaci były mało zniuansowane (well, zgaduję, że po jednej cesze charakteru na bohatera wystarcza :'>). Mimo tego odsłucham jeszcze paru innych książek z tej serii (mam nadzieję, że nie będzie w nich Marysi, bo mała może zejść na zawał serca w każdej chwili!!)
…ᘛ⁐̤ᕐᐷ
6,5(a nuż więcej?)/10
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August 5, 2021extakulooe book
October 27, 2023
Oj mordeczki wy moje kochane, musicie to przeczytać!! Świetna fabuła, z humorkiem😉 Dla osób w każdym wieku. Pamela Butchart mnie wychowała, a jej książki bardzo rozwinęły moją wyobraźnię. Kto tego nie przeczyta, ten jest pedał.
April 7, 2020
BRILLIANT book!!!!!!!!!!!! :-)
August 18, 2021
This book follows the adventures of Izzy, her friends, and their overactive imaginations as they venture on a quest to prove that their new head teacher is a Vampire. They believe that he plans on taking over the school with his army of vampire rats and do everything that they can to prove that their theory is correct.
Butchart has done a fabulous job of portraying a variety of personalities within Izzy’s friendship group with everyone playing an equally important part in the narrative. Butchart’s words are enhanced by Flintham’s comic illustrations, and his simple depictions of the characters cleverly display their different personalities and add another fun element to the book.
The story is fast paced, amusing, and engaging and although to begin with the prospect of Mr Graves being a vampire rat seems completely unrealistic, the more you read the more you feel you are part of Izzy’s gang and begin to believe that they may be correct. I chuckled all the way through and feel children in Key Stage 2 would enjoy listening to or reading about Izzy’s adventures. Although the story is light-hearted and fun it highlights the importance of not judging someone purely based on assumptions and to think carefully about the possible consequences of your actions.
Butchart has done a fabulous job of portraying a variety of personalities within Izzy’s friendship group with everyone playing an equally important part in the narrative. Butchart’s words are enhanced by Flintham’s comic illustrations, and his simple depictions of the characters cleverly display their different personalities and add another fun element to the book.
The story is fast paced, amusing, and engaging and although to begin with the prospect of Mr Graves being a vampire rat seems completely unrealistic, the more you read the more you feel you are part of Izzy’s gang and begin to believe that they may be correct. I chuckled all the way through and feel children in Key Stage 2 would enjoy listening to or reading about Izzy’s adventures. Although the story is light-hearted and fun it highlights the importance of not judging someone purely based on assumptions and to think carefully about the possible consequences of your actions.
April 6, 2020
its a very funny, engaging book for readers 11 or under.
December 3, 2021
i realy like this book it was realy nice and intrasting.
February 25, 2016
What a brilliant read that was enjoyed immensely by both Mum and 6 year old daughter. Love the pace and language and the fact that you feel like part of the gang. Love the friendships between Izzy, Jodi, Zach and Maisie. Brilliant from start to finish. Loved it so much that we're now reading 'Baby Aliens Got my Teacher'.
December 21, 2021
For a long time now I've wanted to read a Pamela Butchart book (not only does she have a wonderfully funny surname, she also comes up in my 'similar to this author' section on my amazon page).
I'm usually not a fan of the diary style, inner monologue narratives. So, when I started reading this and it was in first person past tense, I did an internal eye roll but persuaded myself to give it a chance. And, let me tell you, I'm glad I gave myself the pep talk. The narrative style is more like 'I'm going to tell you the whole story, without taking a breath, but I'll only tell you the good bits without the fluffy descriptions and endless prose'. It's a bit like a very excited school kid telling you a story in the playground with only 5 minutes until the next lesson starts.
It made me laugh (always a good thing). It drew me in (seriously, could the Headteacher really be a vampire rat). It made me read on past my bedtime (the sign of a winner-winner-chicken-dinner book).
I'm usually not a fan of the diary style, inner monologue narratives. So, when I started reading this and it was in first person past tense, I did an internal eye roll but persuaded myself to give it a chance. And, let me tell you, I'm glad I gave myself the pep talk. The narrative style is more like 'I'm going to tell you the whole story, without taking a breath, but I'll only tell you the good bits without the fluffy descriptions and endless prose'. It's a bit like a very excited school kid telling you a story in the playground with only 5 minutes until the next lesson starts.
It made me laugh (always a good thing). It drew me in (seriously, could the Headteacher really be a vampire rat). It made me read on past my bedtime (the sign of a winner-winner-chicken-dinner book).
October 21, 2017
Ratings: 2.5/5
Poate că sunt deja prea mare pentru a mă mai putea bucura total de o asemenea lectură la vârsta mea, însă mai sunt unele excepții care îmi aduc aminte de copilărie și care reușesc să mă transpună în acea perioadă. De data asta, nu prea am fost pe aceeași lungime de undă, din păcate.
Povestea de față ne prezintă mentalitatea specifică puștilor de 8-11 ani, când tot ce vor aceștia, este să vorbească despre toate lucrurile prin care trec. Dacă se poate, despre toate în același timp. Orice gest mărunt sau schimbare ciudată, le activează instantaneu rotițele și îi îndeamnă la găsirea unor planuri care mai de care mai nebunești, în speranța că vor ajunge la un deznodământ fericit. Chiar dacă ideile lor le par victorioase, pe parcurs cineva are de suferit din cauza lor, însă totul e bine când se termină cu bine.
Recenzie: https://bookysme.wordpress.com/2017/1...
Poate că sunt deja prea mare pentru a mă mai putea bucura total de o asemenea lectură la vârsta mea, însă mai sunt unele excepții care îmi aduc aminte de copilărie și care reușesc să mă transpună în acea perioadă. De data asta, nu prea am fost pe aceeași lungime de undă, din păcate.
Povestea de față ne prezintă mentalitatea specifică puștilor de 8-11 ani, când tot ce vor aceștia, este să vorbească despre toate lucrurile prin care trec. Dacă se poate, despre toate în același timp. Orice gest mărunt sau schimbare ciudată, le activează instantaneu rotițele și îi îndeamnă la găsirea unor planuri care mai de care mai nebunești, în speranța că vor ajunge la un deznodământ fericit. Chiar dacă ideile lor le par victorioase, pe parcurs cineva are de suferit din cauza lor, însă totul e bine când se termină cu bine.
Recenzie: https://bookysme.wordpress.com/2017/1...
September 30, 2019
Meant for children but It is so poorly written I couldn’t get through reading it to my kids. Filled with run-on sentences, dumbed down vocabulary and poor grammar. This book is complete garbage—It’s like a book version of a kids sitcom. Also, the storyline is terrible and basically the same as her other two books (the alien one and the spy one). Waste of time, money and brain cells. Skip!
March 11, 2022
If you've read any of Pamela Butchart's other books you'll know what to expect. Lots of silliness and laughs following a group of primary school children with over-active imaginations and lots of faux-scary moments (my children love to play along and gasp and pretend they're too scared to hear what comes next).
Very entertaining to read aloud as a family.
Very entertaining to read aloud as a family.
December 24, 2023
I'm usually not a fan of children's books written in a style meant to emulate children themselves writing their adventures, but "My Head Teacher is a Vampire Rat!" works. A bunch of kids think their head teacher is a vampire, for Reasons, and set out to solve the problem. (Of course he isn't, but it's handled ok.) Decent book to give to a young kid, I think.
March 31, 2019
It is all about jodie maisie izzy and zach going on an adventure.they all think the new headteacher is a vampire rat.then they find out it is not true.But they do find out that the Headteacher does have a pet snake.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 23, 2021
The kids at school have another problem. This time the problem is that their headmaster is a vampire rat.
Another lighthearted look into the mind of young schoolchildren as they battle with the day to day problems of school life such as an army of vampire rats!
Another lighthearted look into the mind of young schoolchildren as they battle with the day to day problems of school life such as an army of vampire rats!
April 15, 2022
This is probably my favorite book its so funny and I have read almost all the series but when i got to the snake part i was suprised beacuse i did not think the head teacher would have a snake in his cupboard.
November 18, 2017
de copii
May 27, 2018
I read this to my daughter she absolutely loved it she could not wait for each chapter and it kept her attention so well for a child with a poor attention span
June 5, 2018
I really like Izzy and this book is funny. It made me laught
September 9, 2018
Another one in the series throughly enjoyed!
May 3, 2019
Tom: This book was most enjoyable to read necause it is very funny. I recommend to all people.
June 1, 2020
I thought it was ok, because i would have liked more description but loved all the excitement! I enjoy reading the series and so amazing work achieved!
December 8, 2020
So funny this book.
The children believe that there new head teacher is actually a vampire.
This is a great series of books
The children believe that there new head teacher is actually a vampire.
This is a great series of books
December 11, 2020
Funny, Intresting and a great book
June 25, 2021
A funny story which I read to my 9yo. Not the first in the series for these children but the first she picked. We enjoyed it and loved guessing what might happen next.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews