Book description from Goodreads: “The Pigeon is about to get SCHOOLED. Do YOU think he should go? Why does the Pigeon have to go to school? He already knows everything! Well … almost everything. And what if he doesn’t like it? What if the teacher doesn’t like him? I mean, what if he learns TOO MUCH!?!”

Need some reviews of The Pigeon HAS to Go to School!?

• • Books for Topics
  • Common Sense Media
  • Fatherly
  • Kirkus
  • Publishers Weekly
  • School Library Journal

Reading Activities inspired by The Pigeon HAS to Go to School!:

• Before Reading–From looking at the front cover: 
  • What do you notice about the Pigeon’s face and body on the cover?
  • Why do you think the word HAS is in capital letters?
  • What do you think the Pigeon believes school will be like?
  • If you’ve met the Pigeon in another book, what usually happens when someone tells him he has to do something?
  • What would you say to the Pigeon if you were trying to convince him to give school a chance?
  • What questions would you like to ask the author before reading the book? 
• After Reading–Now that you’ve read the story: 
  • The Pigeon has plenty of reasons for avoiding school. Which one made you laugh the most?
  • Which of his worries felt less silly and more real?
  • At one point, the Pigeon finally admits how he feels. Why do you think it takes him so long to say it?
  • Look back at the pictures. How does Mo Willems make the Pigeon appear different when he’s confident, worried, scared, or excited?
  • What does the Pigeon begin to realize about school that he probably hadn’t considered before?
  • Why does seeing the school bus change his mind so quickly?
  • Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?
• The Excuse Escalator: The Pigeon is VERY good at coming up with reasons to not do something. Pick something you don’t want to do (maybe taking a bath, mowing the lawn, eating broccoli, or going to bed). Then write three excuses for getting out of it. Make each one bigger and more ridiculous. Which excuse would impress the Pigeon most?
• Funny Excuse or Real Worry?: Divide a piece of paper into two equal sides: FUNNY EXCUSE and REAL WORRY. Look back through the book and list the Pigeon’s complaints on the appropriate side. Which side has more? Do any belong somewhere in the middle? Think or talk about why.
• Pigeon Times Two: Willems alters how the Pigeon looks (posture, eye, and wings) to reveal how he feels. Draw your own version of the Pigeon twice. In one picture, make him super confident. In the other, make him nervous or scared. See how much you can show without writing any words.
• Pigeon’s First-​Day Survival Kit: So the Pigeon’s heading to school after all. Fill his backpack with three or four things that might make his first day easier, or at least more fun. Draw each item then explain why you packed it.
• Build the Pigeon Bus: That yellow bus turns out to be VERY important in the story. Design a school bus that’s specially made for the Pigeon. What would a pigeon need that an ordinary school bus might not already have? Add special features and label them. (Seed dispenser? Wing stretching room? Emergency hot-​dog dispenser? You decide.)
• Books, Books, and More Books!: Check out these other picture books about schools. Which have you already read? Which would you pick up first?