Ten-year-old Nicholas is embarrassed by his Mum's pregnancy and worried about losing his status as an only child. Then - horrors! - Mum finds out she's expecting twins! Granny and Lancelot's lives are also turned upside down as they have to move out to make room for the babies. What with their house-hunting, Dad practising nappy changing and finding out - with the help of a water-filled balloon - what it's like to walk round with a bump, time goes by. Soon Mum is in labour and Dad's car won't start - luckily there's a pizza delivery van ready to come to the rescue!
This book was extremely engaging right from the beginning. It is about a family whose mum is pregnant, and the little boy is scared about not being an only child anymore; learning that it is OK to feel like that to begin with.
Throughout the book it gives you an insight into all the emotions Nicholas if feeling during his mother's pregnancy, and to learn that these emotions are completely normal; which children in the class may be able to refer to (through text to word reference), and this can be taught very easily through the use of this book.
Children can incorporate this book in their lessons, for example in English they could write a letter fro Nicholas to the baby about how he feels and how these change; from being unsure and nervous at the beginning, to the feeling he felt when he saw them for the first time at their scan.
It is also very formative regarding what to expect if you are to have a baby, such as changing nappies, feeding/burping, bathing etc; which children could then incorporate into their own learning and when they do role play.
I loved this book i liked to read it at night if I couldn't sleep and it got a good laugh out of me ! I would 100 ./. To children 7_12 years of age . Great book and i know Jeremy strong's book "my mum's going to explode ! " is one word FABULOUS EXCITING OUTSTANDING Well ok three words
A perfect feel good book. Jeremy is the only child in the house who gets all the love, until the new baby news. And now he is ordered to do things that are silly to him. A warm take on embracing the journey, and togetherness.
My youngest loves these Jeremy Strong books, generally I find the plots are nonsensical, but this one about a boy and his Mum being pregnant with twins is pitch perfect. It’s funny, loving and an easy bedtime read, two chapters a night and it’s read in a week pretty much. The perfect light break between the Harry Potter books.
My Mum's Going to Explode is the story of Nicholas whose mum announces that she's pregnant one dinnertime, throwing his world into chaos. Now, not only does Nicholas have to cope with no longer being the youngest in the family, but his Gran and her partner Lancelot are moving out of the house and his mum's trying to make him read stories to her belly and practice nappy-changing on a creepy doll. While I don't think that I'm in the right age range at all to be reading this book - some of the jokes were quite young - I did think it was a lovely, humorous take on pregnancy that could be used to help children when a new baby is arriving in the family. 3 stars.
This book is a fantastic comedic read, it would be a very good reading book for young reluctant reader as it doesn’t use difficult language to understand and has a few cartoon drawing in it. The plot revolves around ten year old Nicholas, whose mum is expecting a baby, and we follow the life of him and his family and neighbours around a book I would recommend to read, even if your not the targeted age group, which for this book is around 7 - 12, as I’m fourteen and enjoyed reading this as it was an easy read inbetween more complex books with lots of plots and varied language.
This book contains humour throughout, as it is in the first person perspective of the child, waiting for his siblings to arrive. Not only does it contain many linguistical features but it also touches on an important and confusing topic for children in a lighthearted way.
I have never read a Jeremy Strong book before however, I know these books are very popular within Primary Schools. When reading the book, it brought me back to childhood when, I used to enjoy reading Jacqueline Wilson books. Like Wilson, Strong tackles what may seem controversial issues by using comedy.
The narrator of the story is a boy called Nicholas who is an only child. He lives with his mother Brenda and father Ronald. His granny and her boyfriend are also live with them as their house fell down. One day whilst eating dinner Nicholas' mother announces that she is pregnant.
The story gives a child's perspective on the emotions raised with the introduction of a new baby. It allows children to understand that these emotions are normal and that, others in similar situations share similar thoughts.
A quote from chapter one:
"What was that you said dear?"
"I'm having a baby"
Granny's eyes popped "You've got Rabies!"
The story takes the reader through all the stages of pregnancy including cravings, nappy changing, room decorating and pregnancy scans. Each chapter uses a comical perspective on each issue whilst being, very informative for children.
During the middle of the book, Nicholas' mother finds out that she will be expecting twins. By now, Nicholas has just grasped the concept of becoming a brother unlike, his father for who, the news of two babies makes him extremely light headed and results in him being placed on a hospital stretcher.
The story's ending is hilarious. Nicholas' mother begins to have contraptions one night and asks his father to cook. As, his father is a terrible cook, they order a pizza. Just as Nicholas' father gets of the phone, his mothers contraptions get worse and she needs to be taken to the hospital therefore, the three of them jump in the car. Unfortunately, the car wont start and with no reply from the neighbors and the pizza arriving, Nicholas' father forces the pizza delivery man to take them to the hospital. Nicholas' mother makes it to the hospital however, gives birth to the twins in the back of the pizza truck. The dad nicknames the babies cheese and tomato.
Age range: The book is suitable for children aged seven and above.
How can the book be used in the classroom?
As the book is made easy to read through its large font, simplicity and illustrations by Rowan Clifford, the book is perfect for pupils with dyslexia and reluctant readers. Although, I do believe that most pupils would enjoy reading this book as it is extremely funny. The book would be great as a child's first attempt at reading a novel. Additionally, the Jeremy Strong collection could enhance reading progression if pupils become familiar with the characters and Strong's writing style.
A great reading starter collection for beginners. Why not try reading?
My Dad's got an Alligator! My Brother's Famous Bottom. My Granny's Great Escape!
Mum announces at the dinner table when the family are having lunch that she is pregnant. Everybody gets even more shocked when they find out that they're having twins! Nick, the main character, probably has the biggest shock of all. Mum is now starting to act a little strange, like when she reads stories to her belly and get's Dad and Nick to take care of a creepy baby doll so they are prepared for what it will feel like to have a baby around. Can things get any madder?
Comment
My Mum's Going to Explode! is a book by the funny author Jeremy Strong. If you're a bit down in the dumps and want to have a laugh, chuckle, giggle, or even just a smile, on your face, pick up this book!
Rating
I rated this book four stars because it is funny and fun to read, and slightly chaotic! It cool reading about Nick, Mum, Dad, Gran, Lancelot, and all of the others in the story, with peculiar and funny personalities.
Pictures
I am a little disappointed to say that there were too many illustrations in this book for my liking.
Age Group
I would suggest this book to 6+, as it is funny, appropriate and fun. I'm sure small kids will like this book, and it's a definite good read!
Suggestion to the Author
I think that maybe the author (Jeremy Strong) could add in a little bit of description. If I'm honest. I can't remember much description in this book, and that is quite a shame. Other than that, this book is enjoyable and fun, so my only other suggestion to the author is to keep up the good work-- he is much appreciated by me, and I am sure that other kids appreciate his work, too!
We used chapter 2 of this book to put into a play script as a literary exercise with year 3 children. They absolutely loved it and it was perfect for this purpose. I found it light and funny, quite silly, but enjoyable.