We Learn at Home

by Miriam Elia

Book 2 of the Dung Beetle Learning Mummy takes John and Susan out of their local school to be re-educated at home, and introduce to their young minds a new, alternative world view In We Learn at Home , Miriam Elia’s follow-up to last year’s hit We Go to the Gallery , Mummy takes John and Susan out of their local school to be reeducated at home―though not before tagging the walls of St. James’ Primary with the words “Fascist Scum.” In order to introduce their young minds to a new, alternative worldview, Mummy will ground all learning in a feelings-based outlook, free of any actual facts or skills, and reevaluate core subjects such as mathematics, religion, philosophy and art. John and Susan burn the Union Jack, debate and learn to paint their inner children. Key vocabulary for young readers includes terms such as “Marx” and “Buddha.”

Pocket-sized, printed in bold colors and written in clear, simple English, the Dung Beetle Learning series pays tribute to and skewers the much-loved British Ladybird early learning children’s books of the 1960s, with our child protagonists learning about contemporary art and politics rather than helping their parents around the house. In We Go to the Gallery , Susan found that the decay of Western civilization smells like rubbish, John learned that some toys are only for venture capitalists and the siblings discovered that God is dead. What new lessons will Mummy teach?

Genres: Humor, Art, Fiction

48 pages, Hardcover

Published February 28, 2017

About the author

Miriam Elia MA RCA is a visual artist and Sony nominated surreal comedy writer. After graduating from the Royal College of Art in 2006, her diverse work has included illustrated books such as ‘We go to the gallery’ and ‘The Diary of Edward the Hamster,’ as well as prints, drawings, short films, radio comedy and animations. She frequently writes in collaboration with her brother Ezra Elia.

Reviews

[Negin · Rating 5 out of 5]

As with the other book in the series, I laughed my head off. Some would be offended. I wasn’t. Every page in this short and quick read had me either smiling or laughing uncontrollably.

Here’s an example of one of the pages:
“We are having a debate.
‘How do you win?’ asks John.
‘You must tell the other person they are hurting your feelings,’ says Mummy.”

[Onírica · Rating 3 out of 5]

El mejor de esta serie sigue siendo el de Celebramos la Navidad.

[Camille]

My opinion on this book is fairly the same as for We Go Out: it's not as clever or subversive as We Go to the Gallery and edgy humor doesn't work just by being controversial.
I did like this one slightly more than We Go Out, tho!

[Tom · Rating 4 out of 5]

Before Trump was the Sokal Hoax. Readers familiar with either will appreciate the following passage (and others) from this parody of a day at home, learning with mom: "The facts are on the [chalk] board. 'What are facts?' asks Susan. 'Facts are lies invented by white men to control women, gays, and ethnics,' says Mummy."

[Eleanor · Rating 1 out of 5]

I didn't find it funny, I felt it she was trying to be a "shocking" with the content and in the end it fell flat with me.

[Eteocles · Rating 4 out of 5]

Much better than the grown ups Ladybird ones... Some might find them offensive, but they are simply great.

[Francine Fang · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this series of books! Definitely read them before you learn art history.

[devisionbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

ULTRA DROLEEEEEE
j’arrive pas a savoir si c’est de droite ou de gauche, mais olala on rigole bien

[Elite Group · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect for stocking fillers. Just wonderful!

Where to start? Let’s begin with a declaration in very small print at the bottom of the frontispiece which sets the tone and reads “Printed in Poland by Polish people who fully endorse British values”.

The inside cover is also worth quoting here as well. “Are your children stifled in Primary school? Would you like to have them reconditioned? Dung Beetle Books is pleased to provide an alternative course of education which fosters rigid conformity to a lot of rebellious, sentimental horse shit”.

Many people of a certain age which remember the Ladybird books and these Dung Beetle books follow a similar format of hard cover and large type with simple, old fashioned pictures illustrating the text. The similarity ends there though as the text is very apolitically correct and sometimes downright rude but is also gut wrenchingly funny.

Not everyone will see the funny side though so be warned. I left the copies on the coffee table and they were pounced on by family and visitors alike who recognised the familiar format and thought they could look forward to a trip down memory lane. Without fail the guffaws started immediately and no-one could resist quoting the funnier bits out loud.

It is a shame that no more than 5 stars can be awarded and I can not resist finishing with one of the more repeatable quotes. ““One day men and women will be equal” says Mummy. “And when that day comes, we will beat them at everything.”. Sorry – just can’t resist another. “Prejudice” “What does that word mean asks Susan. “It belongs to anyone we disagree with” says Mummy”.

Wonderful. Just wonderful!
mr zorg

Breakaway Reviewers received copies of the books to review (and want more – loads more please).

[Eragone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Me ha parecido simpatiquísimo. El libro rebasa la retranca gallega. El nivel de sarcasmo es alto. Ideal, si quieres enseñarle a tu peque palabras nuevas, a la vez que todo es una ironía.

Me hace especial ilusión encontrar libros distintos, libros que no todo el mundo leería, pero de los que se puede aprender mucho. Si tú también estás interesad@ en este aspecto de la lectura y el aprendizaje, seguro que te gustaría echarle el lazo. Son dos tomos bastante económicos: 9'90€ c/u.

Se trata de un libro para aprender nuevos conceptos, pero no hay que tomárselo al pie de la letra. Desde luego, yo lo recomiendo bastante y me leería ya el primer tomo.

[Yolanda Crayola · Rating 5 out of 5]

Me encanta

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Funny!