on’t worry, Katy – it’s only my friends! Here they all are. Pets – this is Katy, my new friend.’

The pets all said hello in unison.

‘Every teacher has pets,’ Dino explained. ‘I’m Mrs Stuart’s, because I know all about dinosaur history. Erik lives with me too, because he tells her all about great explorers.'

A pet covered in bright splashes of paint hopped to the front to get a better view of Katy.

'Splat helps out Mr Clay, the art teacher. Oh, Miss Petri-Dish relies on Bunsen over there for everything! Haven’t you ever noticed how many times she goes to her desk during a lesson? It’s because Bunsen lives there, and knows so much about science.’

Bunsen smiled proudly. Katy looked at the pets sitting on the floor in front of her. They each looked so cheerful and healthy – not a bit like they spent all their time living in a musty old desk.

‘Do you ever get outside?’ she asked. Dino looked amused.

‘Of course we do! In fact, we cause Mr Carpenter a lot of headaches with the mess we make. Home time is party time for us! Every night we get together in a different part of the school. Last night Chef and Burger cooked up a feast in the kitchens – it was a real tip afterwards, though!’

The pets all laughed as they remembered it. Katy thought out loud.

‘And Mr Carpenter thinks it’s the pupils that cause all the trouble! That’s why he’s always so moody.’

Dino disagreed.

‘Oh no, he knows it’s us – but the teachers don’t want him to tell anyone. We try to help him out and tidy the school for him, so he keeps our secret.’

The amazing discovery was still sinking in for Katy.

‘Where are you actually from?’ she asked. Dino looked at his friends, who all looked at each other.

‘Teacher’s Pets have always been around! Can you think of a time when people weren’t learning from one another? Your parents had teachers, and their parents did, too. And you see, meeting you has taught us something, because now we know that there are many more people for us to help out. It’s time to travel further and be useful to lots more people!’

With that, Merlin cast a spell and all the windows opened in the classroom, allowing the pets to hop out into the evening air. It was half past five, and Mrs Stuart still hadn’t returned from the headmaster’s office. Katy wrote a note to leave on her teacher's desk.

Dear Mrs Stuart,

It's half past five and my Mum has come to collect me. I have learned more in this lesson than I could possibly imagine! See you tomorrow,

Katy Collins

Since that incredible day, many more Teacher’s Pets have found new homes around the world. They just love helping people learn fascinating facts and essential information - make sure you make friends with them, too!

Look out for them all, as they're just dying to meet you!