Mom, the School Flooded

A very wild tale explains one very wet day.

When Gus's mom asks what he did at school today, he gives his usual reply: "Nothing." But his soaking shoes and socks indicate otherwise. Mom pushes for details, so Gus begins a remarkable tale of a school gone wet.

It seems that during science class a lot of water flooded in from the hall. Gus's quick-thinking teacher had the class turn the tables (literally) on the rising tide and paddle to the gym. But a lake there sent the students outside... where an ocean awaited. And so Gus's story builds and builds -- as does his mother's disbelief -- until the janitor takes charge and subdues the flood waters.

Mom sends Gus, and his washed-up story, off to change. And what did Gus's older brother do at school today? "Nothing." But his ripped pants and a new pet alligator indicate otherwise...

New and wonderfully frantic detail-filled illustrations embellish this revised edition of a too-tall tale.

Ken Rivard is a teacher, writer and poet who has published several collections of short fiction and poetry. He lives in Calgary, Alberta.

Joe Weissmann is a noted cartoonist and the illustrator of several books for children, including Mummies and Monsters. He lives in rural Ontario.