David Goes to School by David Shannon, David Shannon (Illustrator)

From the Publisher

This light-hearted companion to the Caldecott Honor Book "No, David!" is an entertaining, laugh-out-loud romp from the beginning of class to the end of the day. David's activities in school include chewing gum, talking out of turn, and engaging in a food fight, causing his teacher to say over and over, "No, David!" Full color.

Publishers Weekly

He's b-a-a-a-c-k! And better than ever. The rascal first unleashed in No, David! returns to wreak havoc in the classroom. Whether he's goofing off at the blackboard ("Sit down, David!"), cutting in line at the cafeteria ("Wait your turn, David!") or drawing on his desktop ("That's it, Mister! You're staying after school!"), David is clearly a handful. But when his teacher gives him a chance to redeem himself by cleaning the desks at the end of the day, he rises to the occasion ("Good job, David!") and receives a gold star. Shannon foreshadows trouble right from the title page: the teacher stands in front of her desk, feet firmly planted, arms crossed and looming so large that her shoulders, neck and head don't make it onto the page. As in the previous book, the adult voice provides the text, but her person is confined to the periphery of the action. David, meanwhile, with his round head, triangle nose and wide grin of pointy teeth, is the pinnacle of boisterous boy-energy. His antics take center stage visually while his teacher's words act as the perfect foil for each spread. After David cuts the cafeteria line, for example, the next illustration shows food splattered all over the walls, floor, David and the boy who was formerly at the front of the line; the two boys point at each other and the text reads, "I don't care who started it." The exaggerated shapes and slightly cartoonish poses of an array of students in all-too-familiar situations will have youngsters crowding together over the book at recess. Ages 3-up. (Sept.) Copyright 1999 Cahners Business Information.

Children's Literature

Oh no! The hero of Shannon's award-winning book, No, David! is at it again, and this time he's in school. Does David's teacher ever have her hands full! We follow David through his school day--as he runs in the hallways, chews gum in class, forgets to come in from recess, and does many other things that only David could or would. Children will find a kindred spirit in David, the boy with a monster talent for getting into trouble, in this good-natured, read-aloud hardcover book. The wonderfully wacky illustrations are drawn from a young child's visual point of view, too. The pages are filled with high-energy lines and eye-popping color. Teachers, parents and kids will all enjoy renewing their friendship with spiky-haired David in his latest adventure.

Library Journal

K-Gr 3-A pesky though enthusiastic young scholar exasperates his teacher but wins her over with his unexpected charm. Filled with sophisticated stick figures and colorful backdrops, the exuberant paintings depict a boy who's in a class by himself. (Sept.) Copyright 1999 Cahners Business Information.

School Library Journal

K-Gr 3 David is back! In his very traditional school, he is expected to follow all the rules. He can't run in the halls, cut in line, call out, or swing his paintbrush around. Drawing on his desk is the final straw, and although minor punishments have already been given out, it's time for him to stay after school. In a punishment that fits the misdemeanor, he has to wash the desks. He does a stellar job and is rewarded with his teacher's words of praise. David is a lovable character whose emotions flow across his round face. With a minimum of lines, Shannon shows glee, sorrow, anxiety all of the familiar David emotions and those of the other students as well. On one double-page spread where David is looking out the window and letting his imagination roam, he is told to "PAY ATTENTION!" He is, of course, paying close attention to the clouds. Run out and get several copies of this high-spirited school story. Barbara Scotto, Michael Driscoll School, Brookline, MA Copyright 1999 Cahners Business Information.

Kim Hubbard

David is older but (thankfully) no wiser in this charming sequel to last year's acclaimed No, David!

People

Kirkus Reviews

The poster boy for relentless mischief-makers everywhere, first encountered in No, David! (1998), gives his weary mother a rest by going to school. Naturally, he's tardy, and that's but the first in a long string of offenses—"Sit down, David! Keep your hands to yourself! PAY ATTENTION!"—that culminates in an afterschool stint. Children will, of course, recognize every line of the text and every one of David's moves, and although he doesn't exhibit the larger-than-life quality that made him a tall-tale anti-hero in his first appearance, his round-headed, gap-toothed enthusiasm is still endearing. For all his disruptive behavior, he shows not a trace of malice, and it'll be easy for readers to want to encourage his further exploits. (Picture book. 5-7)

Product Details