Does a Panda Go to School?

by Fred Ehrlich, Emily Bolam (Illustrator)

Shows why animals such as chimpanzees do not join children in going to school.

Genres: Picture Books

28 pages, Paperback

First published July 13, 2003

Reviews

[Lauren · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not recommended for parents of children with special needs. I dislike giving any book a negative review, but this one hurt to read to my child with Autism. I know those children are not intended as the target audience, but here's what the book does that sends the wrong message: children who can't perform the daily tasks that typical children can are on the same level, or beneath, animals. Here are some excerpts: "Does an ostrich go to school? No, an ostrich could not follow directions from the teacher. An ostrich could not put his jacket and backpack in a cubby." There was a point in time where my child couldn't perform these tasks without help. "Does an armadillo go to school? No way! An armadillo could not do arithmetic. Or sit still and listen to a story." After almost two years of school, my son is just now getting to the point where he can sit still for circle time. The story then goes on for the rest of the book about a monkey and how a monkey could do things like paint, or use a computer, or play with children, but the monkey can't go to school because it can't sing, or read, and (here's the heart-wrenching part for a special-needs parent) a chimp can't go to school because "a chimp cannot talk with words" "could not ask to be excused to go to the bathroom" (with an illustration of a monkey wearing a diaper while two children point at him and laugh). The final dagger to the heart: "a chimp could not tell his mom what happened in school when she came to pick him up." My child still cannot do this. Thank goodness this book doesn't mirror reality. A child with special needs can attend school even if s/he has incontinence issues, or is non-verbal, illiterate or have social issues. This book was written by a doctor (with that M.D. clearly displayed on the cover) but I don't see how this book could be written by any professional so callously.

[Mary Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who goes to school? Does a Panda? Does an ostrich? Does a chimpanzee? These silly questions will definitely make your little one laugh. We loved the simple, funny question-and-answer format comparing people to animals. It helped ease my kindergartner's fears about going to school. Best of all, it helps young ones see the things that they can do: make new friends, put their jacket in a cubby, sit still and listen to a story. Bolam's bright, engaging cartoons illustrate the silliness of the animals and the familiarity of school scenes. Perfect for preschoolers and kindergartners.

[Sara Lemonade · Rating 3 out of 5]

A panda does not go to school.