Having never listened to the Podcast that this book was born of, I came to this book with a great deal of enthusiasm. It was not what I expected.. I suspect that teachers will find much to enjoy, filled as it is with acronyms and jargon in the opening chapters,, I found the writing style a little forced in it’s joviality and silliness and not enough innocent youthful antics and anecdotes to maintain my interest. It seemed to be misadvertised by the blurb. I found it mildly interesting but not a laugh riot by any stretch of the imagination.

Having worked with children for years I knew all too well how the answer to every problem is a wet paper towel and it works every time! The title of this book left me intrigued and though I'd never listened to the podcast I wanted to know more and couldn't wait to start reading the book.

I found the book a bit slow at the start but it was good to be introduced to the two Mr P's and get to know their story and personalities a bit. Moving on to the types of staff and whilst it was amusing I still found it a bit slow but then once that chapter was over and we got to the children and running of a school day etc. I didn't want to put the book down!

I like the way the book was in a conversation style and the way lists were used for some topics which left a very relatable read. I was a bit disappointed with the song list though, what about Autumn Days, surely that's should have made it to the list! Throughout the book so much was relatable whether thinking back to childhood or currently working with children.

The one part I didn't appreciate was the section on types of parents. I have no problem with this section apart from the one paragraph on "the conspiracy theorist parent." The problem I have is that the phrase "conspiracy theorist" is a term used to discredit and bully anyone that you don't agree with or doesn't follow the official narrative. As the book says on the last page "The answer to combatting fake news is education. The more you know, the better the choices you can make. The more you know, the more you can empathise and understand people who are different to you." Name calling isn't empathising and throwing labels around like conspiracy theorist isn't educating yourself to combat fake news either. You don't need to look on FB or YouTube to get the "conspiracy theories" which are actually fact, it's on the U.K. governments website! Looks on the U.K. Gov website and you'll see the fact the virus was changed to no longer a HCID (high consequence infectious disease) on 19/03/2020. Yes, that's before the first lockdown! If you don't want "fake news" then you need to dig deeper than the TV and newspapers as they censor anyone that doesn't follow or fit the narrative hence why they love to throw around the term conspiracy theorist to discredit people so I'd rather books like this didn't do it either and would research the subject more themselves as the children are suffering mentally, socially and physically whilst all these unscientific and pointless rules are put in place.

Overall I think this is a great book and I think it is a very entertaining and relatable read for anyone in education but could be enjoyed by all. An amusing and entertaining read you won't regret picking up.

Wow this book was an absolute hit of nostalgia.. This book was written by two brothers who are both teachers and their experiences in the classroom. Its written in a way that goes back and forwards between the brothers with different fonts and i felt that is worked really well. The both have a podcast and this book had that kind of feel about it. It took me right back to primary school and some of my experiences and also having primary age children now too made me wonder how similar our experiences will be. I really enjoyed how the book was split into different chapters discussing the different areas and also the good and bad side of teaching. Teachers don't get enough credit in my opinion!

I was hoping that this would be a series of amusing and heartwarming anecdotes about life in a primary school, with insight into the life of a primary school teacher, but the first 20% of the book was just a summary of the author's career path and achievements, and I didn't find it interesting as I'm not acquainted with the authors and their podcast. Perhaps this would be more interesting for teachers who would at least be on the same page when it came to complaints about unnecessary paperwork and the expectations on teachers, but I couldn't find much humour in the parts I read and I gave up less than a quarter of the way through.

With thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in return for an honest review.

As a retired Primary School teacher this was always going to appeal! I seem to have missed out on the amazing Mr P's but I think I'm going to have to investigate further. There were numerous funny moments & I could relate to so many of the incidents- although nowadays the wet paper towel has been replaced by the cool pack. (Bairns hang onto them like a trophy until you could probably incubate eggs!) This is a book that can be enjoyed on both sides of the Chalk face, although trying to work out the acronyms could be a challenge. I hope it gives some an insight into the best & worst job in the world! Well worth a read. Thanks to Netgalley & the publisher for letting me read & review this book.

An ideal book for anyone who can relate to the Primary School environment and even those for whom the experience may have been decades ago. Written by two brothers, each giving their own stories, which could at times, be a little confusing. Delightful character observations that anyone can relate to whatever walk of life they take especially involving children even with one's own. An insight into the modern day classroom which is quite different to my 1950s memories, closer to my children's and now spot on with my grandchildren. Entertaining insight to schools today

Having never come across their podcast before I was excited to read their book. A great insight into life as a teacher with a few funny stories along the way. Prospective teachers be aware it might put you off.

If like me you have followed Mr. P on social media over lockdown then you too have been looking forward to seeing if he can make the book as funny, informative, and true to experiences you know from working in education. Well having read this book I can say he does. It's a great read for all those who work in education as well as those who remember their school dates. I look forward to their next book.

Absolutely brilliant! These two teachers talk us through their routes into teaching, their expectations before joining compared to hilarious tales of the reality. They give us brilliant stereotypes of the typesnof teachers out there that will craic you up. Just try imagining some of the teachers in your life. As a teacher myself I do wonder what one I am 😄 it is so refreshing to read about real teacher experiences. My favourite parts are the bits the teacher says as a professional to the kids/ to the parents and on reports vs what they are actually thinking. Such a funny book. I blasted through it. These guys sound like amazing teachers and all jokes aside really do care about the kids and making education fun. Teachers get some flack for supposedly long holidays short working days and yet the reality is far from this when you count all the overtime working hours and late evenings marking. Definitely worth checking this book out for a little peek into what goes on behind the scenes. Loved it.

A great read, that was both charming and funny. Really well written and a lovely light read. Definitely reminds you of how hard teachers work too!

A genuinely funny book-probably even more so if you work in education yourself. I loved the format of the book, I found it easy to read and finished it really quickly. Will definitely be talking about this book with my friends who are teachers, they’ll love it!

I was on the look-out for another non-fiction book to read, and after reading some pretty hard-hitting serious stuff, I wanted something a little lighter and perhaps humorous to read.

The first thing that catches your eye with this book is the bright colour! I think the colour is great as it’s one of the main bright colours seen a lot in primary schools. I really like the doodle like illustrations on the cover, and the ones used throughout the book too! I think the fact the title is in a “speech balloon” makes it stand out even more. Just on the cover alone I would pick this one up in a bookstore to learn more about it, so I guess you can say the cover does its job very well.

The book is written by two brothers, Lee, & Adam Parkinson, one a teacher and the other a teaching assistant. I had thought the whole book would be about just their day-to-day school life as teachers, but they also reminisce about their own school days too. The different chapters cover everything from school plays, to the different types of teachers and how they react differently to the job and all it entails. Such as a Newly Qualified Teacher Vs a More Experienced Teacher.

NQT: These staff meetings are so valuable, informative and inspiring. I am learning so much!
ET: Here we go, here’s another hour of my life I’m never getting back.

The names of the different teachers are NQT,(newly qualified teacher) Longest-Serving Member of Staff (been there for years, started as dinner lady etc etc) Banter King, The Entertainer, Geordie PE Teacher, The Mother Hen, Eco Warrior, The Mood Hoover, The 'Miss Honey'

Apparently the “Banter King” loves Aprils Fools Day as he gets to send pupils for things like Tartan paint and left handed scissors, rulers, pens or glue sticks! However the brothers all-time favourite was when the Banter King sent one of his boys to Year 6 to ask for a ‘long stand’. The teacher was in on the joke and just said, ‘A long stand? Yes, of course! Just wait there for a moment.’ Ten minutes passed – and it could have definitely been longer – but the headteacher, who was doing their daily rounds, noticed the boy stood doing nothing and upon closer inspection realised that this was a Year 5 boy in a Year 6 classroom. After questioning, the boy proudly exclaimed that he had been asked to do a special job and he was waiting for a long stand! It was at this point that all April Fool’s Day jokes, including those amongst the children, were strictly prohibited. But the memories remain.

I really enjoyed reading about the different types of teachers, their positives, their quirks and everything in between. It was amusing to read the descriptions and then think of your own experiences with school teachers, as a pupil and then later as a parent. I definitely recognised the odd character here and there.

I actually laughed out loud at the section about the phrases teachers use and what they really thinking, and really meaning! I thought the section on the pupils telling the teachers lies, or I guess “tall tales” sounds nicer were really funny although you could see how things could have gone really quite badly for one young lad and his lies! I also found the different classifications of parents, especially on Sports Day.

I enjoyed all the sections where the authors reminisced back to their own school days when they were being “bad lads” at school. It was amusing that they could guess what some of their pupils were up to because of their own escapades at school. Although both author brothers insist the other one was the worst culprit!

I loved the “alternative” school plays! I bet the pupils loved taking part! It’s a shame other schools don’t adopt this type of play/concert. I don’t know which one I would have most loved to see! I can see how using something modern and more relatable to the pupils will have them enjoying themselves that much they won’t realise they are learning and using certain “school skills”.

I didn’t really think or realise how much a Teaching Assistant did and how valuable they are to a teacher. The way it is put over in the book really spells it out and in a funny way too. A passionate, hard-working TA is: 50% teacher 20% first aider 15% superhero 15% behaviour guru 100% underpaid!

My immediate thoughts upon finishing reading the book were that I had really enjoyed it. Definitely made me chuckle quite a lot!

Summing up I think this book is a humorous, at times laugh out loud account of a teachers and teaching assistant’s life, as well as them looking back at their own school days too.

In summary: Heart-warming, hilarious and true to life.
'Put A Wet Paper Towel on it' is the first book from brothers Lee Parkinson and Adam Parkinson, and the focus is on their time and experiences as educators with the UK education system. The pair have a popular podcast and the book mirrors the content and ideas from this show.
The provided stories are retold in an engaging manner and there is much fun to be had while reading the themed chapters which focus on topics such as staff, PE, school trips and the (always delightful!) school dinners. However, as both brothers have written the book in a conversational style - with plenty of banter, interruptions and jokes - this does disruptive the narrative on a regular basis. I enjoyed their style but I can see how this approach could prove difficult for other readers to enjoy and I think that the audiobook may prove more accessible for that reason.

Having previously read a memoir of a teacher (again through NetGalley) and really enjoyed it, I thought this seemed like a laugh and requested it.

I didn't realise this was originally from a podcast, of which I am now a very happy listener to!

I will always maintain that teaching is one of the hardest professions in the world, as every other career choice stems from it in a way. We all pass through the school system at one time or another and it's such a fundamental base to our learning and the way we see the world.

To be in charge of younger children and essentially responisble for their development seems a gargantuan task. It's both enlightening and terrifying to hear how many things change behind the scenes thanks to govenrnmental education policies.

What impressed me most is how genuinely funny and relatable the book was despite Lee and Adam talking of some really difficult times whilst teaching.
Well worth a read for not just fellow teachers or parents, but anyone willing to cast a nostalgic eye back to their early days of schooling, before it was all exams and 'choosing your career'.

So here I was thinking that I'd have somewhat of a lovely summer break from my workplace (i.e. school) only to pick this book up and be transported right back before the holidays have even ended!

I've been following ICT with Mr P on social media for a while now and before that I'd heard about him from a colleague who'd attended one of his trainings.

I'll start with the title first. How many times have I told a child to, "put a wet paper towel on it"? Uncountable times. However, this book gives the reader more than just stories relating to the title. Both the Mr Ps incorporate mini memoirs into the book. Yes, they tell anecdotes of school life, but the Mr Ps (mainly Lee) delve deeper and don't hold back.

"My advice is always the same: there are some toxic schools but there are some incredible schools. No school is perfect." Thank you for saying this. Toxic classes and toxic schools are real. The well-being and welfare of school staff is of utmost importance and was talked about several times throughout the book.

There is also scathing criticism, and rightly so, of the whole education system, the government and their absurd decisions and the grim reapers; OFSTED.

Everything in this book resonated with me. There were spot on descriptions of various members of staff and pupils, school assemblies, parents, classroom display boards (give me anything but display boards), dinner times, wet play, school trips, the haven that is the staff room, behaviour and classroom crazes (which i've had the honour to witness and confiscate, the latest being Pop its). It felt that both the Mr Ps were flies on the wall at my workplace.

MY thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins for a copy of “ Put A Wet Paper Towel On It for an honest review .

I haven’t listened to the podcast that this book originates from but I love books that give you an insight into different professions. So I was keen to read this.
Perhaps , for me, this might have worked better as something to listen to ?
I found this book interesting in parts, although I’ve never worked in a school , some of the chapters brought back memories from mine and my children’s school days.I
I must admit I was hoping for more anecdotal additions to the book, which might be more of the case in the podcast , where the two teachers share experiences ?
An ok read but I’ve read better books on the subject .

I really enjoyed reading this book. It brought back many a happy (and some not-so-happy) memories of my teaching career. It let me reminisce about all the good parts of teaching: school play, staffroom, school trips for example but it also reminded me of why I left teaching: the politics, book scrutiny, lesson observations etc.
Overall, a great book which was easy to read.

I enjoyed this book and the humour. I recognised some of the many characters from my own and my children’s schooldays and my short time in education. The teaching profession need to be aware that most occupations are inspected. My first experience of this was in an office in 1976 where the visitation lasted a whole week. I’ve no idea why educators find the process hard to deal with.

Not for me I'm afraid. The "two voices" concept was off-putting and it felt like it fell between the two stools of podcast and written word. In addition the writing style felt a little childish for my taste, almost "Diary of a Wimpy Kid's Teacher". If you want a very undemanding book to make you smile which you can pick up for a few minutes and put down again without losing the thread, then it would suit you, and maybe raise a memory or two. I really really wanted to like this book but sadly I couldn't finish it. Sorry, the two Mr Parkinson's, it's a C- grade from me.

The title made me smile and want to read the book, but I ended with mixed feelings about it. Never having been in the teaching profession parts of it went over my head, but I enjoyed the humorous tales and now know a lot more about how difficult teaching is and why there is burn-out. How teaching has changed! It was an interesting and worthwhile read, although the format jarred somewhat.
Thanks to HarperCollins and NetGalley for an ARC in return for an honest review.