Nanny McPhee: The Collected Tales of Nurse Matilda
#3 in Nurse Matilda Series
What’s inside...
Mr. and Mrs. Brown were forever having trouble with their numerous and incredibly naughty children... until the day Nurse Matilda entered their lives. First published nearly fifty years ago, Nurse Matilda and its two companion books-Nurse Matilda Goes to Town and Nurse Matilda Goes to Hospital-have charmed readers ever since. Now the inspiration for the major motion picture Nanny McPhee, all three beloved books are available once again in a paperback omnibus edition which features the three complete and unabridged books by Christianna Brand, along with Edward Ardizzone's charming black-and-white illustrations. This movie tie-in edition also features an eight-page color photo insert.
Character compass
Nurse Matilda
Mr. Brown
Mrs. Brown
Discussion points
What do you think about Nanny McPhee's magical powers? How do they help the children learn important lessons?
Which character do you relate to the most and why?
Nanny McPhee's rules change as the children's behavior improves. Can you think of a rule you might want to improve on at home?
How do the children's feelings towards Nanny McPhee change throughout the stories? Why do you think their feelings change?
If you had a magical nanny like Nanny McPhee, what lesson would you want her to teach you?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use expressive reading to bring characters to life, making the story more engaging for your child.
Pause at key moments in the story to give your child a chance to ponder or predict what might happen next.
Discuss the moral lessons in the story, relating them to everyday situations your child might encounter.
Encourage your child to imagine their own endings or magical events, boosting their creative thinking.
Show interest in your child's perspectives and feelings about the story, fostering a deeper family connection through shared reading.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Responsibility
Explanation: Through the magical interventions of Nanny McPhee, the children in the story learn to take responsibility for their actions. As they behave better, her ugly features transform, showing improvement.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by taking accountability for their daily tasks, such as cleaning up after themselves or completing homework.
Example Lesson: Cooperation
Explanation: Nanny McPhee teaches the children that working together can make difficult tasks easier and more enjoyable. Her rules enforce teamwork among the siblings.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to cooperate in group activities at school or with siblings at home, teaching them the value of collaboration.
Example Lesson: Respect for Authority
Explanation: The children initially rebel against Nanny McPhee, but learn to respect her as they realize her wisdom and kindness. Her transformation from intimidating to beloved reflects this growing respect.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of respecting teachers, parents, and other authority figures, understanding that such respect can lead to positive personal growth.
Example Lesson: Consequences of Actions
Explanation: Each lesson Nanny McPhee imparts comes with a clear consequence, helping children understand that their actions directly impact their surroundings and themselves.
Real-World Application: This teaches children to think about the outcomes before acting, fostering a sense of foresight and mindfulness in interactions.
Example Lesson: Embracing Change
Explanation: Through the narrative, children see that change, although sometimes scary, can lead to positive outcomes. Nanny McPhee's arrival and subsequent departure both signify major positive changes for the family.
Real-World Application: This can help children to be more open to changes in life, such as moving to a new school or dealing with family dynamics.