book cover

Clarice Bean Spells Trouble: Part of the Clarice Bean series

by Lauren Child

Interest age: 7+
Reading age: 7+

Published by Hachette, 2005

  • Funny
  • Picture books

About this book

Clarice Bean is very bad at spelling. She thinks it is far better to be able to mend a hem using a stapler, or jump out of a moving helicopter safely, than to be able to spell 'grapefruit' correctly.

Her teacher, Mrs Wilberton, disagrees, and arranges for the whole school to take part in a spelling bee. To avoid this awful event, Clarice decides to be 'discovered' as a child star, and throws herself wholeheartedly into acting, with the help of her best friend Betty Moody.

Although Czarina, the flamboyant teacher, assures Clarice Bean that she shows much promise, when she auditions for the school play, "The Sound of Music", she is only cast as nun number seven – who has no lines.

This is the fifth book about the inimitable Clarice Bean, whose innocent observations about her family, friends and teachers continue to be hilariously astute. Lauren Child brings both Clarice and her stories to life with quirky collage and line drawings, which, in true Clarice Bean style, are haphazardly scattered throughout the book.

About the author

Lauren Child is a multi-award-winning, bestselling writer and artist whose books are known and loved the world over. She is the creator of characters including Clarice Bean, Ruby Redfort and Charlie and Lola.

Lauren Child has been at the forefront of innovation in children's books for over 15 years and has raised the profile of illustration as an artform for all ages. She's worked with mixed media, pioneered text as an integral part of illustration and collaborated with artists across different fields.

Lauren is also a passionate advocate for visual literacy and the importance of quality picture books for children. She is also passionate about encouraging creativity in children and adults. She is a trustee of House of Illustration, a gallery set up by Sir Quentin Blake. She has been awarded an MBE for her work and was appointed as an Artist for Peace by Unesco in 2008.

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