Some laugh-out-loud moments mixed with some quite dull parts. An interesting read, but didn't grab me and hold my interest. Would still recommend as I did enjoy it.

I’ve heard the Two Mr P’s in a Pod(Cast) before and really enjoyed the bantery style of chat that the brother’s bring to their anecdotes of teaching life. Unfortunately, this book is written in that same podcast style, and it just doesn’t work as well when written down.

Anecdotes that would be really funny when told aloud, fall flat when there isn’t the comedic tone and pacing to deliver them and the witty banter feels a bit cringey when memorialised in print.

There is quite a bit of repetition in the material and more than once a subject is introduced then immediately dismissed – “more on that later!” – which would work orally but made me wonder when reading why they would bother to bring it up HERE if they’re only talking about it THERE!

Between the humorous anecdotes is a detailed ‘behind the scenes’ look at every aspect of a teacher or TA’s life, which was really interesting from a parent’s perspective (although I was a bit disconcerted at how many colleagues, parents and children were dismissed as dull or ‘not my kind’ because they lacked ‘the bants’!)

My overall impression was that all of this material would work fantastically in the podcast/radio dialogue format but just doesn’t translate well to the written word.

They’re definitely right about the paper towels though!

Review by Steph Warren of Bookshine and Readbows blog

Funny and easy to read - my mum was a school secretary and my husband is a teacher, so there was a lot that was familiar here, as well as from memory of my own school days.

Amazig first book from the Parkinson brothers, love their podcast and this book was a laugh a minute, similar in style to Gervase Phinn, loved it, every educator should read it!

This was a funny easy to read book that will appeal to parents, teachers and anyone else in between! Very relatable and like a breath of fresh air.

Definitely a recommended read.

Thank you Netgalley.

Having been a fan of ICT with Mr P and his varying FB videos, I just knew his book would be hilarious & I wasn’t disappointed! Especially with the book being named after every primary school teachers favourite phrase ha ha. Loved it & I can’t wait to read his next one!

Put A Wet Paper Towel on It :The Weird and Wonderful World of Primary Schools is a humorous and heartwarming read which is packed full of nostalgic moments that will make you think back to your own primary school days.

I follow the authors on social media, so had something of an idea of what to expect. This book did not disappoint. It's a fun, light hearted, read that will appeal to educators, parents, and everyone else too!

Whilst I enjoyed this book I think it was more aimed at people working in the teaching profession. I did find it interesting from a parents point of view though to see what the teachers think.

Having worked for 11 years in an infants/primary school this book really appealed. It is a well known fact that a wet tissue (sprayed with magic water in our medical room!) will heal anything!
On reading however I just found it ok, nothing amazing or hilarious. I agreed with most of the opinions on the educational system for sure but wasn’t blown away by most of the book.
Didn’t hate it though!

Great book which had me laughing from beginning to end. As a teacher I could completely relate to many of the topics discussed.
Well written and pacey. I loved the banter between the two writers.

This book reminded me of my primary school teachers and now I even though not fully but partly understand what is to be in their shoes. Hilarious and sometimes profound, one must read this book whether you're a teacher or not, because we were all students once, and it kind of brings back the memories.

Love the podcast and love the book. I am not even a teacher but I love reminiscing about my school days. There is no British person out there who can say that when they hurt themselves at school they weren’t told to put a wet paper towel on it 😂

This was such an interesting and funny read. I loved hearing about all the antics and I am still able to remember the sacred paper towel and its healing propertys like it was heaven sent. Bumped head - wet paper towel, grazed knee - wet paper towel, broken arm - construct a sling more powerful than Thor's hammer made out of you got it paper towels.
The style of this book made me think of books such as please mrs butler in the way that schools were described and I loved it.

This is a very funny book which should be gifted to all students on completion of their teacher training. A humorous insight into one of the toughest but most rewarding jobs in the world. I would recommend this book to anyone and everyone, you don’t need to be a teacher to enjoy it. We have all been to school and we have probably all had experience of the magical qualities of a paper towel.

I do enjoy a book which tells stories from people’s occupations! I’ve read many different ones – police, fire service, ambulance, nurses, bar workers and librarians – but never read one from a teacher! I’ve never worked in teaching, but I have a child who’s been through primary school, so thought I’d be able to relate to some of the stories. This book is written by two brothers, who are both teachers, and both recount stories and experiences from their teaching years. There is a lot of build up to the two brothers and their careers, and I must admit I may have flicked through some of this in search of classroom tales!

The book is told in the voices of both brothers, and this did become a little confusing at times. I read that they have a popular podcast series, and I imagine this book would be a lot more fun listening to it, either through the podcasts or an audiobook. There are some humorous stories of the children, their parents, other teachers and education authorities, but this was slightly overshadowed by the large amount of information about the two authors throughout the book. I imagine this book would appeal more to the teaching profession and I’m sure any teacher or teaching assistant would be able to relate to many of the stories throughout the book! When I did get to the ‘stories’ I did find myself chuckling along to some of them and enjoyed reading them. It was an enjoyable read overall, and I liked the relationship between the brothers.

I didn't find this book funny, which is a shame as I thought it would be, given the title. Thank you for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Would recommend for anyone who’s involved with, works in or ever went to, a primary school! Tales of school life unfold in this hilarious book.

This was a terrifically funny and heartwarming read, with scenes I easily recognise from my own school days. It helped that the authors are local to me and I loves the gentle humour. The amount of accident slips that come home with my children indicate that indeed a wet paper towel cures many ills! A bittersweet and highly amusing tale from behind the school gates. I loved it.

This is a really fun book! I am a primary school teacher so can relate to so much of it and it gave me a giggle!