The Pigeon HAS to Go to School!

About this Story

“School, Humor, Facing Fears”

Pigeon’s School Dread: Cracking Up Over Back-to-School Jitters in Mo Willems’ Must-Read

Hey preschool crew, it’s your go-to blogger here, fresh off a summer of wrangling tiny humans through splash pads and story hours. If you’ve got a little one eyeing kindergarten like it’s a monster under the bed, The Pigeon HAS to Go to School! by Mo Willems is your secret weapon.

This 2019 banger follows our sassy bird buddy as he throws every excuse in the book at heading to class—too tired, too busy driving buses, you name it. But spoiler: he warms up to the idea, turning those tummy flips into giggles. Willems nails the chaos with his signature doodles and Pigeon’s over-the-top freakouts.

Kirkus Reviews dubs it a “winning mix of chuckle-inducing bravado and honest emotion,” spot-on for easing those “what if” worries. Common Sense Media calls it a “phenomenal hit” for sparking chats on school fears—super relatable for my crew who once hid behind curtains on day one. 😰 And Fatherly? They say it’s a “manic and brilliant toddler primer,” perfect for pre-K vibes.

Kinda like when my niece flat-out refused her backpack ’cause it “looked at her funny.” 😂 This book’s got that real-talk magic without the lectures. Grab it on Amazon or peep more from Hyperion. Trust me, it’ll make mornings less of a battle—’cause who doesn’t love a pigeon who gets it?

Book Features

Format: 40 Pages

Language: English

Suitable Age: 3-6 Years

Levels: Preschool and Kindergarten

Lexile / AR Level: Lexile 450L / AR 1.5

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