Here She Is Ms. Teeny-Wonderful
February 9, 2009
Oh how happy I was when I was trolling a local charity shop and I found a copy Martyn Godfrey’s Here She Is, Ms. Teeny-Wonderful. Most of you have probably never heard of it because it’s a. Canadian and b. from the 1980s and c. even one of my best friend’s whom I’ve know since I was six doesn’t remember it. I had thought it was something that was read aloud in class but it’s possible that I’m utterly full of it since she doesn’t remember and we had the same teachers every year until seventh grade.
I was really worried when I started to reread it. You know how it is when you rediscover books that you read as a kid, sometimes they just don’t stand the test of time well. This one, with a few minor details that dated it, DID.
Carol Weatherspoon is not a girly-girl. She doesn’t wear dresses. Her best friend is a guy. She lives on her bike. And her dream is to become a “six-canner”. You see, her and many of the kids in her town, including her best friend Wally, build ramps and jump over garbage cans that have been laid on their side. If you jump over one you are a one-canner. She, by her own admission, is not someone you’d nominate for a junior beauty/talent pagent and yet that is exactly what her mother did. Carol does not find out until she’s been informed that she’s been chosen as a semi-finalist and needs to go to Toronto to compete. Lured by the thought that the prize money could buy her that dream bike she’s always wanted she reluctantly agrees and since she needs an escot Wally is along the the ride as well. While in Toronto she meets a two-faced nemesis – the Campbell twins who are competing as one contestant and do their best to sabotage Carol while she retaliates and does her best to kick their butts.
It’s absolutely stood up to the test of time. It still made me laugh out loud. I like Carol and rather adore Wally. If you can get your hands on a copy I absolutely recommend it, 110%.
February 21st, 2009 at 1:16 am
Crazy, I was just trying to look up the name of this book; pretty sure I read it in grade 4. I also remember reading the sequel, no idea what it’s called though. I friggin’ loved them both.
I can’t believe this post is from so recently — I’ve never heard of this site before.
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March 4th, 2009 at 2:34 am
Does anyone know how Martyn Godfrey died?
I was just thinking about his many wonderful books I read as a kid.
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August 14th, 2009 at 1:27 am
I was just googling Martyn Godfrey because I found and re-read Here She Is, Ms Teeny-Wonderful tonight and ran across your post. I loved reading it again and agree with you that it definitely stood up to the test of time!
And you’re a Gordon Korman fan! I re-re-re-read the Bruno and Boots series again not that long ago and just wish his newest books were as good as those.
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November 12th, 2009 at 12:00 am
I believe Martyn Godfrey died of liver disease. He was 50 years old.
I have also been dreaming of coming across this book in an old charity bazaar. Envious.
Guard your copy or pass it on to some lucky young lady who needs a laugh
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