Mr Mcgee And The Biting Flea

by Pamela Allen

Mr McGee went down to the beach to play, but his happy mood is spoilt when he is bitten by a flea, a flea he can't get rid of. The only solution is to take off all his clothes and jump into the sea, because fleas don't like the sea. Mr McGee and the flea are finally separated.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Animals, Fiction

28 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1998

About the author

Pamela Kay Allen MNZM AM, born in 1934 in Devonport, New Zealand, is a celebrated children's author and illustrator.
Since the release of her first book, Mr. Archimedes' Bath, in 1980, she has written and illustrated over 50 picture books, selling over five million copies. Renowned for works like Who Sank the Boat?.
Allen has received numerous accolades, including the Children's Book Council of Australia Picture Book of the Year Award and the Margaret Mahy Medal. Her books have been adapted for the stage and are beloved worldwide. Now residing in Auckland, she remains an icon in children's literature.

Reviews

[Marianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Award-winning author Pamela Allen continues her Mr McGee series. He's flying a kite by the seaside when an encounter with a dog sees him pick up a flea. The lengths he goes to to rid himself of the flea includes some nudity, so be warned! Hilarious!

[Jill Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh, how l love Pamela Allen rhyming stories.

‘OWWWWWW!’ cried Mr McGee.
SOMETHING BAD IS BITING ME!!’

It wasn’t a fly and it wasn’t a bee.
It was as small as small could be, so small it was too small to see.

It was a jumping, biting flea.

‘OOOOOOO!’
OWWWWWW!
EEEEEEE!’ cried Mr McGee.

Poor Mr McGee, luckily the flea didn’t like the sea.

[Jack Kirby and the X-man · Rating 4 out of 5]

An amusing story about Mr. McGee who was happily flying his kite on the beach before a tiny biting flea kept biting him.

The text is reasonably simple, with plenty of rhyme and repetition - and lots of screaming!

A warning for the particularly prudish - Mr. McGee doesn't have the physique of Ken

[Sue Winson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stay away from this book if you disapprove of any image of nudity in children picture books. But if you don't mind that, this book is a really great book to share with kids. It's funny, easy to follow, with simple texts and clean illustrations, and a clever problem-solving scenario. I like this book, and 22-month old little-AJ likes it too (he finished with a "oh no" when he saw the hilarious ending).

Mr McGee was enjoying flying his kite at the beach when a flea got onto his skin and started attacking him with bite marks all over the body. Drama ensued. Mr McGee "twisted and turned, writhed and squirmed, squawked and squealed etc" while removing his clothes one at a time. In the end, the naked Mr McGee jumped into the sea, and "oh, my! oh, me!" he sang. The ending is hilarious (spoiler ahead). The flea landed in the hair of the dog that was there. The poor doggy howled "ooooo, owww, eeee!"

This is a really fun book to read, with a dramatic twist and really hilarious pictures (I really feel for poor Mr McGee.)

Blog review: https://storypleasemummy.wordpress.co...

[Lindsay Lodge · Rating 2 out of 5]

A lot of fuss over a flea. I can see why the book would appeal to children, though.

[Rodopa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Super silly, fart/body parts kind of fun. Anatomically correct man pictured. 2 stars as there is no plot to speak of.

[Mary Saddington · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a cheeky book which most children will enjoy

[Tempest Reign · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the funniest book we have read in ages! We were literally rolling on the floor in laughter at the writing and illustrations (especially a cheeky bum scene)!

[Jonathan Matthews · Rating 5 out of 5]

A generational defining classic, absolute page turner.

[Deano · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pamela Allen is an Australian icon and her Mr Mcgee series does not disappoint. They are easy to read with a colourful, rhyming text and punchy storylines. They are loved by adults and children alike. They are perfect for inviting discussions between the adult and child as well as introducing new concepts and expressive language.

Im a preschool teacher so I have read literally hundreds of children's books in my lifetime, but I keep coming back to Mr Mcgee books!

[Alex Fairhill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Poor Mr McGee. I was itching and squirming along with him as that flea went to town. Anyone who's been bitten by a flea, mozzie or any other insect can relate!
The illustrations are hilarious as he writhes and wriggles in an attempt to remove his attacker, and the text is beautifully rhythmic.

[Edacheeky · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really used to enjoy reading these except i felt it was a little awkward how Mr Mcgee stipped naked to get the flea off him and I do remember that the author drew his "bits" so weird.

[Emily Randall · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a picture book suitable for a early readers, written in a rhyming form and contains humour.