WHO: Miss Jennifer Honey
FROM: Matilda
Matilda (novel) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
BY: Roald Dahl
PUBLISHED: 1988
PROS: Miss Honey is kind, inspirational, loving, gentle, mild-mannered, and protects the children in her charge. She nurtures all the children to be their best, especially Matilda
Miss Jennifer Honey was a mild and quiet person who never raised her voice and was seldom seen to smile, but there is no doubt she possessed that rare gift for being adored by every small child under her care. [Matilda, Roald Dahl]
CONS: She needs to stand up for herself more. She lets Miss Trunchbull bully and oppress her.
MOST SHINING MOMENT: Opening up to Matilda. Showing the little girl that it is OK to be different, and that every one has difficulties to overcome. She’s the prefect teacher and friend, and she is just what Matilda needs.
Embeth Davidtz and Mara Wilson from the 2009 movie. [Image courtesy: Sony Pictures]
WHY I CHOSE THIS CHARACTER: I choose Miss Honey because my daughter, Maggie, suggested her. Matilda was one of our favorite books when she (Maggie) was growing up and I’ve enjoyed revisiting the characters today. Maggie is studying to be a teacher and I’m sure she’ll bring all the empathy, joy of learning and teaching skills to her class room that Jennifer Honey brought to Matilda’s. (But here’s hoping that Maggie doesn’t have to deal with any Trunchbulls along the way.)
One of Quintin Blake’s wonderful illustrations from the book.
Matilda was made into a movie and then into a Broadway show.
Related articles
- Matilda 25th Anniversary Blog Tour & Giveaway (bookingmama.net)
- On Reading for Meaning (littlereadstories.wordpress.com)
- Characters to Inspire You – Matilda Wormwood (writingbeckles.wordpress.com)
ritaLOVEStoWRITE 
June 9th, 2013 at 5:51 am
I actually know a child named Honey, such an English name.
June 9th, 2013 at 5:08 pm
I think it is a great name, don’t you?