The Pigeon's First Day Jitters: A Review of "The Pigeon Has to Go to School!"

This is a SHSU LSSL 5360 Assignment:

Mo Willems' Pigeon is back, and this time, he's facing his biggest challenge yet: SCHOOL! In "The Pigeon Has to Go to School!", our favorite feathered friend is absolutely convinced that school is a terrible, horrible, no-good idea. And, as we all know, when the Pigeon gets an idea in his head, he's not letting it go easily.

Willems perfectly captures the anxieties and worries that many kids (and let's be honest, some adults too!) feel about starting school. The Pigeon's arguments are hilarious and relatable. He's worried about everything from math ("What if they ask me a hard math question?!") to the bus ("What if the bus driver drives past my house?!"). He even tries to convince himself that he already knows everything, so what's the point of going? Sound familiar?

The beauty of Willems' work lies in its simplicity. The bold, expressive illustrations and the Pigeon's signature speech bubbles perfectly convey his over-the-top emotions. You can practically hear him squawking his objections. And while the story is undeniably funny, it also gently addresses those common back-to-school jitters.

What makes "The Pigeon Has to Go to School!" so effective is that it doesn't just dismiss the Pigeon's fears. Instead, it acknowledges them and then cleverly turns them on their head. Without giving away too much, the Pigeon eventually realizes that school might not be so bad after all. He might even gasp...learn something new!

This book is a fantastic tool for parents and teachers to use when talking to kids about starting school. It provides a lighthearted way to address those anxieties and open up a conversation about what to expect. Plus, it's just plain fun to read aloud. Kids will love the Pigeon's antics, and adults will appreciate the relatable humor.

Final Verdict: "The Pigeon Has to Go to School!" is another winner from Mo Willems. It's a hilarious and heartwarming story that perfectly captures the ups and downs of starting school. Whether your little one is excited or apprehensive, this book is sure to be a hit. Five out of five stars! Just try to keep the Pigeon off the school bus.

Willems, M. (2019). The pigeon has to go to school! Hyperion Books for Children, an imprint of Disney Book Group.

ISBN: 9781368046459