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.

I'm a part time teacher, currently in year 1 preparing to start a new school year and prepping my classroom and I've been reading this book this week. It's been a funny way to get myself in the swing of things again because I'm definitely the kind of teacher that has to have a clean break, without any reminders of the impending term! But I'm getting there, still laminating and prepping at home but think I'm nearly ready for the inset day on Wednesday!

This book has many chapters, covering what we've come to expect from the two Mr Ps from their popular podcast. In fact this is written in that style, with the two Mr Ps having separate fonts so they can interrupt each other. This would probably be good as an audio book too! They include stories about the usual subjects: PE, assembly, different kinds of teachers you may meet in the profession as well as the kind of parents you will find on the playground! There are teacher clichés, sentences we always end up saying to children as well as some of our acronyms explained. My favourites were the well chosen phrases we use in report writing which clearly mean other things! Normally when I write your child has 'good leadership skills' it means bossy!

There is the odd serious chapter, like why so many teachers leave the profession after 5 years and why the government/ofsted/Michael Gove have made the profession so much more difficult but mainly it is funny and it reminds me of my early days at primary school myself as well as what it's been like to teach in the last 15 years or so.

My only criticism is that there was nothing mentioned about the demand and struggle now in mainstream schools to include those children with SEND. They should be included and I feel this very keenly but often there is such a struggle to include when their needs may be best met somewhere else. Quality first teaching means a whole different thing now but we rise to the challenge...

I was really looking forward to this book - working in a secondary school and having a primary age son (and having previously worked in primaries) I couldn’t wait to delve in. I’ve previously read and loved ‘Let this be a lesson’, based in secondary, so snapped this one up.

There are some amusing bits, recollections and accounts, and some profound parts - but for me this just didn’t feel like either a love letter or a real ‘show’ of life in education - more of a “look at everything else we do”. Which, granted, I wish more people understood - but it was dry in parts even for me, with a love of education. It needed more real life stories for me, amusing anecdotes etc.

This book gives a good insight into life inside a primary school. School staff will recognise and relate to many parts of this while parents might find a new understanding of just what goes on each day. Anyone familiar with Mr P through his podcasts or social media accounts will already have heard some of these stories. Honest, funny and relatable it's worth a read.

I really enjoyed this non-fiction, laugh-out-loud memoir of the ups and downs of teaching by the two Mr P's, to the point I am still smiling as I write this review!.

I read this within a few hours, it was such an easy-to-read book, and very relatable for me. I once worked in a Junior School as support staff so found myself laughing in agreement as they informally chatted about the staffroom, the characters found on the payroll, the different types of parents and children, and also the funny incidents that they can both recall.

Both writers have a fantastic sense of humor, and this is shown in the writing style of this book, This is an absolute must-read for anyone working within the education sector or anyone with children of school age.

A truly delightful, entertaining, and extremely amusing quick read, that will brighten your day and have you crying with laughter. Highly recommended!

Following the two Mr Ps on social media and listening to their podcast I was sure that I was going to love this book and would be howling when hearing the anecdotes about hilarious antics in and out of the classroom. However there was less of this than I was expecting and more of a criticism of the Education system, politicians and Ofsted, which while I understand and also empathise with this it was not what I was hoping for here.

Written in different fonts and by each Mr P almost interrupting the other it was more of a written version of a podcast than a novel. Some funny and some serious moments but I must admit to skipping some parts. Lots of acronyms, which working in a school I understand but if you were reading as a parent say would be challenging and a bit unnecessary even when explained.

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed reading this book, I found it easy to read, it bought back memories of my time in primary school and more recently my daughters.
I do feel that this book would be more appreciated by those working within a school environment.
I was expecting there to be more about the things children say and do but it was a bit more in depth than that.
I would read another book by these authors though as it was a good light hearted read.

Very relatable look at teaching primary school children, I think if you are a teacher especially in the UK you will definitely appreciate this. The book is written in a way that is very informal and chatty, I think this would make a very good audiobook.

Overall, I enjoyed this light hearted look at teaching and the ways in which it has changed over recent years. I am a teacher and agreed with most of what was written. I would love for some of the parents (of children I’ve taught) to read this and realise that we don’t just play with Lego all day long! The book was written in a conversational way and I really think I’d have given it 4 stars had I listened to the audio instead of reading it.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for the eARC of this book.

As a teacher and a parent this book resonated with me on so many levels. Reading in bed, I woke my husband up multiple times as I was snorting with laughter at some of the anecdotes!

It is also a very illuminating guide to life in the primary classroom. I wish I had read it before I started teaching - although I probably wouldn’t have believed it would be so accurate! Nevertheless I will buy it for any NQTs in my life, and since teaching runs in families, there are sure to be some 🤣

Loved it
The title drew me to the book, having been involved with primary school pupils for many years I related to this so much. I actually laughed out loud at so much of it.
Now I need to listen to the podcast!

I must admit I was disappointed by this book. I expected lots of anecdotes regarding things that have happened in the class and what they say however this was not the case. It followed the career and some of the private life of the authors.
Unfortunately I was put off by the writing style that in places was more like the podcast that seemed to get constantly promoted throughout the book.
Anyone who writes early on that they have the largest following on social media of any Primary School teacher somewhat puts me off as it sounds like a Secondary School student boasting about their likes and followers.
I will admit I gave up on this book as it was not like I thought it would be and could have done with some severe editing or decisions on what it actually wanted to be.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for providing me with a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. I really enjoyed this and could relate to it throughout. Particular staff and pupils, past and present, came to mind as I read. There was plenty of humour and a lighthearted tone overall which made it an easy book to read. Anybody reading would be able to picture the funny, frustrating and rewarding world that is teaching, especially in primary school. There were a few points where the tone of the writing felt a little judgemental of those who work in a different way to the authors preferred style but this didn't spoil my overall enjoyment.

There have been a number of books released recently in the memoir/diary style in which the author remembers past clients/patients/events etc and retells the stories. Everyone from doctors to solicitors so why not teachers?

Everything about 'Put A Wet Paper Towel On It' suggests that this book is going to follow this structure, a teacher's recounting of some humorous students, colleagues, parents and incidents experienced through their career. The title and the caption both suggest that this is the case. It'll be the stories from their day to day careers which will bring back memories to the readers like wet paper towels. I think in this way it has misrepresented itself to readers.

In fact, it is more like an autobiography of the authors, including details about both their career progression and personal lives. It is quite heavy on abbreviations and acronyms related to education that probably only make sense to fellow teachers. It lectures quite heavily on educational policies and government handling of the education system.
It feels like an accompaniment to their podcast which I assume is similar and not what I thought it was going to be.

In retrospect this is probably aimed at other teachers who can laugh along with the day to day criticisms of teaching, or for those who listen to the podcast and want to know more, but as these aren't me, I think I struggled to get into it.

I also felt that the structure of the two authors using different fonts and interrupting each others text was a bit too much like a script for a podcast. It disrupted the flow too much and didn't make me laugh as much as was intended. It's harder to get the banter across in written form than speaking.

Hard to rate because it wasn't for me, but I can see the appeal to others.

A very entertaining read. The authors have put together a humorous take on education. Many people will relate to this book. The title grabbed me. How many teachers have we heard use that phrase. Covering the highs and lows of being a primary school teacher.
Many thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for the opportunity to see an ARC of this book

This was hilarious and as a teacher, it was so good to read something that I could relate to! I think lots of teachers will love this!

Totally true of the primary school world. Loads of laughs and giggles. So true about the types of people who work.there as well. I haven't listened to the podcast but will be definitely listening now!

Many thanks NetGalley for letting me read thi s and to the two Mr P's for writing it. Will make sure my colleagues and friends at school read it as I'm sure they will see how true it is as well.

Having worked in a primary school first as a volunteer and then teaching assistant the tales ring true. It made me laugh and smile. I had never listened to the pod cast but will look out for it.
Anyone who works in the primary school setting will recognise the tales. Anyone who has children even older ones will enjoy the humour and insights the book offers.

As a teacher I am already familiar with the two Mr P’s and I was really looking forward to reading this. I was not disappointed at all, the whole book is so relatable and funny, I was snorting with laughter at several points. I have now ordered a copy for my daughter who is also a teacher.

If you're a fan of The 2 Mr Ps and their podcast, then this is the book for you! It is a funny, accessible and heart-warming book which is sure to be a hit for anyone who has ever worked in education.