I Don’t Want to Go to School

PreS-Gr 1–Jonah is vehemently opposed to going to school. Despite reassurances from his parents, Jonah is convinced that doing anything his family does will be better than his expected school attendance. So, Jonah tests out his little sister’s day care, his mother’s dental practice, and his father’s office job to prove his point. Instead, however, Jonah learns that the grass is not always greener on the other side of the fence, and the life he lives as an almost-six-year-old is just right for him. This clever take on the age-old friction between parents and children when it comes to going to school paints a vivid picture of the challenges found in every environment. Translated from the original French, this book is accessible to global audiences thanks to the universality of the subject matter and emotions depicted within the story. Detailed illustrations feature clear lines and patterns filled with colored pencil to create visually intriguing spreads that often include a plethora of human characters. Though Jonah’s family appears white and is made up of a mother, father, and two children, the additional humans included within and around the nuclear family are more varied in age and appearance. Families with a child who is refusing to attend school may find some solace within the pages of this clever tale.