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David
David Goes to School
No, David!
David's teacher has her hands full. From running in the halls to chewing gum in class, David's high-energy antics fill each school day with trouble—and are sure to bring a smile to even the best-behaved reader.
In 'David Goes to School', young David shows up late to class, goes wacko at the blackboard, chews gum in class, yells answers out of turn, pulls pigtails, stares out the window, cuts in line, has a food fight ("I don't care who started it!" says the teacher), lingers at recess, and more. Colorful, hilarious, childlike illustrations examine our strangely appealing demon-boy at eye level.
David, the out-of-control monster-child from David Shannon's Caldecott Honor Book 'No, David!' (1998) is back... and ready to disrupt the class. Shannon remembers the word "no" all too clearly from his childhood, and, as he says in his introduction, "It seems that kids haven't changed much over the years, and neither have school rules, some of which date back even further than the invention of sneakers."
David Shannon is the award-winning writer and illustrator of many books for young readers, including 'How Georgie Radbourn Saved Baseball' (1994), a New York Times Best Illustrated book, and 'The Amazing Christmas Extravaganza' (1995), an American Bookseller Pick of the Lists. He also created the illustrations for Audrey Wood's 'The Bunyans' (1996), a School Library Journal Best Book of the Year and an ABC Children's Bookseller' Choice award Winner.
Ages 2-6+
Edition MSRP: $14⁹⁵ US / $21⁹⁹ CAN (ISBN 0-590-48087-1)
Printed in Mexico [Reinforced Binding]
David's teacher has her hands full. From running in the halls to chewing gum in class, David's high-energy antics fill each school day with trouble—and are sure to bring a smile to even the best-behaved reader.
In 'David Goes to School', young David shows up late to class, goes wacko at the blackboard, chews gum in class, yells answers out of turn, pulls pigtails, stares out the window, cuts in line, has a food fight ("I don't care who started it!" says the teacher), lingers at recess, and more. Colorful, hilarious, childlike illustrations examine our strangely appealing demon-boy at eye level.
David, the out-of-control monster-child from David Shannon's Caldecott Honor Book 'No, David!' (1998) is back... and ready to disrupt the class. Shannon remembers the word "no" all too clearly from his childhood, and, as he says in his introduction, "It seems that kids haven't changed much over the years, and neither have school rules, some of which date back even further than the invention of sneakers."
David Shannon is the award-winning writer and illustrator of many books for young readers, including 'How Georgie Radbourn Saved Baseball' (1994), a New York Times Best Illustrated book, and 'The Amazing Christmas Extravaganza' (1995), an American Bookseller Pick of the Lists. He also created the illustrations for Audrey Wood's 'The Bunyans' (1996), a School Library Journal Best Book of the Year and an ABC Children's Bookseller' Choice award Winner.
Ages 2-6+
Edition MSRP: $14⁹⁵ US / $21⁹⁹ CAN (ISBN 0-590-48087-1)
Printed in Mexico [Reinforced Binding]
32 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1999
154 people are currently reading
3804 people want to read
About the author
David Shannon
212 books559 followersDavid Shannon is the author and illustrator of many highly praised books for children. Born in Washington, D.C., he grew up in Spokane, Washington. He graduated from the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California, with a fine arts degree, and then moved to New York City. His editorial illustrations have appeared in The New York Times, Time, and Rolling Stone, and his artwork has appeared on numerous book jackets. Shannon is a passionate baseball fan and softball player. He and his wife now live in Los Angeles.
David Shannon @ Scholastic
David Shannon @ Scholastic
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 808 reviews
September 20, 2019
Didn't we all have a first day like David? 🤣
Well, if you didn't, did you at least know a David? 😜
Anyway...this book should be dedicated to any little one who is nervous about the first day of school. Or the first day at a new school. It would definitely be easier to face the first day knowing the challenges that David faced when he went to school.
***********
UPDATE:
I gave David Goes to School another star because upon a second read, with a slightly older audience of children (5 and 6 year olds), I find that it is a great conversation starter about setting, respecting and understanding classroom and school rules.
Well, if you didn't, did you at least know a David? 😜
Anyway...this book should be dedicated to any little one who is nervous about the first day of school. Or the first day at a new school. It would definitely be easier to face the first day knowing the challenges that David faced when he went to school.
***********
UPDATE:
I gave David Goes to School another star because upon a second read, with a slightly older audience of children (5 and 6 year olds), I find that it is a great conversation starter about setting, respecting and understanding classroom and school rules.
December 25, 2018
That relentless mischievous boy, David, is back as he heads off to school. David has a long string of offenses that we all can relate too.
January 21, 2016
Read with my daughter for a book report for school. Illustrations and pictures are cute, story line is good for kids and my daughter loves the David books! 5 stars for her :)
December 13, 2016
This is the last time I go to the library and grab a bunch of children's books right before closing just to have something to read to my little boy. "David goes to school" just continues the rash of bad kids books I've read to him in the last week. Not only that, the David in this book was extremely scary looking. I guess that was part of the point but he even scared me. Yikes! Anyway, another dreadful book and to make up for it I've been allowing him to eat all the popsicles, suckers, donuts, chocolate, pizza, potato chips, cupcakes, honey buns that he ever wanted. Yep, the guilt factor has hit me.
October 11, 2018
Ages: 3 - 6
Cleanliness: Some grumpy attitudes shown.
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Cleanliness: Some grumpy attitudes shown.
**Like my reviews? I also have hundreds of detailed reports that I offer too. These reports give a complete break-down of everything in the book, so you'll know just how clean it is or isn't. I also have Clean Guides (downloadable PDFs) which enable you to clean up your book before reading it!
Visit my website!
December 3, 2015
Gwennie, Liz and I were talking during dinner. Gwennie told us about the kite in her class. Some kids have moved up to the "level I" part of the kite. She's not quite there yet. She's only a "level H." Nobody's upset about this. Right Gwen?
Gwen: No one's upset about it. :)
Dad: Anyway, I asked if she had any books she could read to me. Any "level H" or "level I" books. She said no, but she did have THIS book that she wanted to read to me - and then write a review of it afterwards.
I told her we could. I thought it would be fun to write a review with just Gwen, because I don't know if we've ever done that - we certainly haven't done it in a long time.
Gwen, have we written a review where's it's just you and me before?
Gwen: Well... *thinking* maybe... Maybe two, or three, or four? I think it's... two. Two... or three or four? Two or three or four?
*I can't tell if Gwennie is repeating herself because she's questioning herself, or if she's reading what I've written, and so I just keep typing what she's reading... two or three or four?*
Dad: So, why did you want to read this book? And where did you get it?
Gwen: Ummmmm... *I didn't ask that question out loud. She read it herself. She must be learning something in school...*
I wanted to read it because it's a good book. It's telling what you shouldn't do in school. I got it from the library.
Dad: Which library?
Gwen: The school library. ...The school is... Parkside? ...One time *student name removed due to confidentiality concerns* tried to get on to Mobymax, and he spelled PORKside instead of PARKside. (*laughs*) He didn't know it wasn't working. But then *another student* told him he spelled PORKside, and he told teacher and all the children laughed.
Dad: You said you wanted to read it because it's a good book. What makes it a good book?
Gwen: Well, what makes it a good book is, sometimes I really like read books about kids who are naughty.
Dad: Why do you think that is?
Gwen: ...MMMmm... I don't know.
Dad: Are you naughty?
Gwen: What?
Dad: Are you naughty?
Gwen: No. ...Well, not naughty like David, but sometimes I am. I've never got a tardy before. ...Well, only if I had a dentist appointment. And I don't chew gum in class. I haven't really shouted out. Well, maybe one time, but not really. Maybe one time. I don't touch people. I try to always pay attention.
*Gwennie's flipping through the pages looking at all the naughty things David did throughout the book.*
...I don't really... ummm... I don't really budge people in line. I don't want to take their place. I NEVER EVER have a fight with someone with food.
Dad: Never?
Gwen: No. I never did that before. I didn't really ever even see that happen.
Dad: Do you want to see that happen sometime?
Gwen: Not like... in real life. But sometimes in a book. Like a fiction book.
Dad: Ok. So, let me ask another question. Because it sounds like you're not naughty the way David is. It sounds like you try to be good, right?
Gwen: Uh-huh.
Dad: So, how would you respond if someone like David was in your class?
Gwen: Hmmmmmmm.... let me think about that.... ... ...mmmm... I just wouldn't really say anything. Or bother him.
Dad: What do you mean?
Gwen: I wouldn't... like... I wouldn't say anything about that.
Dad: You wouldn't say anything to him?
Gwen: Yeah. I wouldn't say anything.
Dad: Do you think you would laugh at him?
Gwen: No.
Dad: What if what he did was REALLY funny?
Gwen: Well... maybe a little. But not like, "HA HA HA!!! really loud.
Dad: I'm glad you read us this book. I liked it a lot. I'm surprised I'd never heard of it before. How many stars should we give it?
Gwen: FIVE!
Dad: Sure thing! I know you wanted to read, "It's Christmas, David," so maybe we can downstairs and read that. Sound like a plan?
Gwen: YEEEEAAAAAAHHHHHH!!!!
Gwen: No one's upset about it. :)
Dad: Anyway, I asked if she had any books she could read to me. Any "level H" or "level I" books. She said no, but she did have THIS book that she wanted to read to me - and then write a review of it afterwards.
I told her we could. I thought it would be fun to write a review with just Gwen, because I don't know if we've ever done that - we certainly haven't done it in a long time.
Gwen, have we written a review where's it's just you and me before?
Gwen: Well... *thinking* maybe... Maybe two, or three, or four? I think it's... two. Two... or three or four? Two or three or four?
*I can't tell if Gwennie is repeating herself because she's questioning herself, or if she's reading what I've written, and so I just keep typing what she's reading... two or three or four?*
Dad: So, why did you want to read this book? And where did you get it?
Gwen: Ummmmm... *I didn't ask that question out loud. She read it herself. She must be learning something in school...*
I wanted to read it because it's a good book. It's telling what you shouldn't do in school. I got it from the library.
Dad: Which library?
Gwen: The school library. ...The school is... Parkside? ...One time *student name removed due to confidentiality concerns* tried to get on to Mobymax, and he spelled PORKside instead of PARKside. (*laughs*) He didn't know it wasn't working. But then *another student* told him he spelled PORKside, and he told teacher and all the children laughed.
Dad: You said you wanted to read it because it's a good book. What makes it a good book?
Gwen: Well, what makes it a good book is, sometimes I really like read books about kids who are naughty.
Dad: Why do you think that is?
Gwen: ...MMMmm... I don't know.
Dad: Are you naughty?
Gwen: What?
Dad: Are you naughty?
Gwen: No. ...Well, not naughty like David, but sometimes I am. I've never got a tardy before. ...Well, only if I had a dentist appointment. And I don't chew gum in class. I haven't really shouted out. Well, maybe one time, but not really. Maybe one time. I don't touch people. I try to always pay attention.
*Gwennie's flipping through the pages looking at all the naughty things David did throughout the book.*
...I don't really... ummm... I don't really budge people in line. I don't want to take their place. I NEVER EVER have a fight with someone with food.
Dad: Never?
Gwen: No. I never did that before. I didn't really ever even see that happen.
Dad: Do you want to see that happen sometime?
Gwen: Not like... in real life. But sometimes in a book. Like a fiction book.
Dad: Ok. So, let me ask another question. Because it sounds like you're not naughty the way David is. It sounds like you try to be good, right?
Gwen: Uh-huh.
Dad: So, how would you respond if someone like David was in your class?
Gwen: Hmmmmmmm.... let me think about that.... ... ...mmmm... I just wouldn't really say anything. Or bother him.
Dad: What do you mean?
Gwen: I wouldn't... like... I wouldn't say anything about that.
Dad: You wouldn't say anything to him?
Gwen: Yeah. I wouldn't say anything.
Dad: Do you think you would laugh at him?
Gwen: No.
Dad: What if what he did was REALLY funny?
Gwen: Well... maybe a little. But not like, "HA HA HA!!! really loud.
Dad: I'm glad you read us this book. I liked it a lot. I'm surprised I'd never heard of it before. How many stars should we give it?
Gwen: FIVE!
Dad: Sure thing! I know you wanted to read, "It's Christmas, David," so maybe we can downstairs and read that. Sound like a plan?
Gwen: YEEEEAAAAAAHHHHHH!!!!
January 8, 2020
This book funny
January 4, 2025
Teaches kids what not to do in school. This will help Clara know what not to do in school so she can be a good little girl.
Read to me and reviewed by my Aunt Josie.
Read to me and reviewed by my Aunt Josie.
December 10, 2009
I hate the teeth on David. The scary, pointy, black things make me shudder.
Otherwise, this is a fun series for toddlers. I had one child who LOVED [title:No, David!]. I remembered David fondly.
When my youngest son started daydreaming about preschool as the ideal place for children, I checked out this title and a few others to help balance his perspective. [title:David Goes to School] was the most helpful. My son was freaked out about the idea of not having the right to pee, having to raise his hand before he was allowed to talk, etc., giving me a chance to talk to him in an age appropriate way about civil liberties versus crowd control. He wanted to know why David was so eager to stop learning, giving me the perfect opportunity to explain that school destroys the natural human urge to learn, just like forced feeding destroys the appetite.
I recommend this for kids who will be homeschooled but are suffering from Yellow School Bus Syndrome.
Otherwise, this is a fun series for toddlers. I had one child who LOVED [title:No, David!]. I remembered David fondly.
When my youngest son started daydreaming about preschool as the ideal place for children, I checked out this title and a few others to help balance his perspective. [title:David Goes to School] was the most helpful. My son was freaked out about the idea of not having the right to pee, having to raise his hand before he was allowed to talk, etc., giving me a chance to talk to him in an age appropriate way about civil liberties versus crowd control. He wanted to know why David was so eager to stop learning, giving me the perfect opportunity to explain that school destroys the natural human urge to learn, just like forced feeding destroys the appetite.
I recommend this for kids who will be homeschooled but are suffering from Yellow School Bus Syndrome.
April 9, 2020
Text to self-connection
The part when David's teacher said, "NO, David!, No yelling, no pushing, and no running in the halls." Reminds me of my 1st-grade teacher, Ms. Thompson, I was like David, always talking, playing with my friends, and running in the halls. When she spoke with me regarding my behavior, Ms. Thompson was still calm, firm, loving, and very direct with me. I can relate to this story because I was like David, who just needed a little help in controlling my behavior. Ms. Thompson did not nag, yell, or wrongly punish me, but she helped me change my negative behavior through positive affirmations. Ms. Thompson and I stayed in touch until she passed.
The part when David's teacher said, "NO, David!, No yelling, no pushing, and no running in the halls." Reminds me of my 1st-grade teacher, Ms. Thompson, I was like David, always talking, playing with my friends, and running in the halls. When she spoke with me regarding my behavior, Ms. Thompson was still calm, firm, loving, and very direct with me. I can relate to this story because I was like David, who just needed a little help in controlling my behavior. Ms. Thompson did not nag, yell, or wrongly punish me, but she helped me change my negative behavior through positive affirmations. Ms. Thompson and I stayed in touch until she passed.
June 29, 2013
How many David Shannon books have we read now? My children never tire of him and this was no exception. Even though I home school, the kids were still fascinated with the kinds of trouble that David could get into and again, totally relate. My 5 yr old loved it when David couldn't keep quiet, as he has the same problem, and my 2 yr old twins were wide-eyed at the colorful pictures of David in different school scenarios. Overall a fun read, as Shannon always is.
April 2, 2017
In this book you learn about David going to school. Its his first day of school. But , he’s not having the best of the time while being there. David can’t seem to be doing anything right, and messing up a lot. Which didn’t get him far very much in the classroom with his teacher.
Reading this story you learned early on the theme of this book .David always seems to be getting himself in trouble during school. A lot of it being manner wise. For example he was sitting next to a girl who had raised her hand to answer the story and David yelled out the answer. Also , with the tone of third person. It was the teacher the story teller. You can tell that is her because she is heard to say, “David don’t chew your gum.” Having these elements really helped with the tone of the story and being able to understand what is going on.
For the shape of the book I really enjoyed seeing things in 3D. The visual made it really realistic when seeing the classroom area. When seeing thee desk and David standing next to it by his chair. And with the text i found it really unique how the font was placed. Remember as a child having the lined paper when doing your letters. Thats how everything was lined up and placed for each word on the book. Ive never really seen that detail put into a book so I found it really unique. This elements contribute because it really shows the type of style the author has for the book. Its very kid friendly and eye popping.
All in all while reading this I really enjoyed seeing the pictures in the book. Ever since seeing the front cover. The detail of art with his facial expressions really showed as well. For example when the food was thrown in the cafeteria and David is shocked by what had just happened with the other student. Even though i found it be a random book with different things happening on every new page it just reminded me of how random children are. Which is a prime example of Contemporary Realistic Fiction. When David had gotten in trouble with the teacher and had to stay late to clean the desk. Things like that are common to be in classrooms.
Reading this story you learned early on the theme of this book .David always seems to be getting himself in trouble during school. A lot of it being manner wise. For example he was sitting next to a girl who had raised her hand to answer the story and David yelled out the answer. Also , with the tone of third person. It was the teacher the story teller. You can tell that is her because she is heard to say, “David don’t chew your gum.” Having these elements really helped with the tone of the story and being able to understand what is going on.
For the shape of the book I really enjoyed seeing things in 3D. The visual made it really realistic when seeing the classroom area. When seeing thee desk and David standing next to it by his chair. And with the text i found it really unique how the font was placed. Remember as a child having the lined paper when doing your letters. Thats how everything was lined up and placed for each word on the book. Ive never really seen that detail put into a book so I found it really unique. This elements contribute because it really shows the type of style the author has for the book. Its very kid friendly and eye popping.
All in all while reading this I really enjoyed seeing the pictures in the book. Ever since seeing the front cover. The detail of art with his facial expressions really showed as well. For example when the food was thrown in the cafeteria and David is shocked by what had just happened with the other student. Even though i found it be a random book with different things happening on every new page it just reminded me of how random children are. Which is a prime example of Contemporary Realistic Fiction. When David had gotten in trouble with the teacher and had to stay late to clean the desk. Things like that are common to be in classrooms.
Read
February 21, 2022David Goes to School is a novel that demonstrates perfectly the Coercive Power. Coercive Power displays a character's ability to threaten others, just like the teacher in this novel. The teacher continuously harps on David's behavior and highlights his effect on other students. The teacher has the power to punish David, like when she makes him stay in after school to help clean the desks. David is also influenced by his fellow students because he wants to fit in and be cool. This book is a perfect example of Coercive Power.
November 7, 2019
After finishing "David va a la escuela" by David Shannon, I was at a loss as to how the teacher in the story was able to adequately meet the requirements of the Common Core State Standards Initiative in a self-contained classroom situation.
November 19, 2017
Summary: David goes to school for the first time. His teacher has her hands full with David. He runs, yells, pushes and chews gum in class. Each day is filled with trouble. He learns at the end that despite the difficulties he gets into, he will always have encouragement and love.
Evaluation: I like this book because I know how much little kids like it. They think it is hilarious what David does. Even the best behaved kids think this book is funny. We all can relate David to someone we know or have in our class.
Teaching Idea: I will use this book to teach about school rules. I would create an anchor chart with school rules written on it and after we read this book, I would ask my class if they learned anything in the book that is a rule at school and we would add them to the chart and talk about why each rule is important.
Evaluation: I like this book because I know how much little kids like it. They think it is hilarious what David does. Even the best behaved kids think this book is funny. We all can relate David to someone we know or have in our class.
Teaching Idea: I will use this book to teach about school rules. I would create an anchor chart with school rules written on it and after we read this book, I would ask my class if they learned anything in the book that is a rule at school and we would add them to the chart and talk about why each rule is important.
August 20, 2019
This book is great for kids starting to read. However, it had no plot or substance.
September 11, 2019
Illustrations are a bit creepy. And why does David always have to get into trouble? The more a kid's told no, the less likely the word is to mean anything.
August 8, 2021
Very hard not to read this book in the voice of Alexis from Schitt’s Creek.
September 7, 2021
David is a little dickhead
July 17, 2022
I was being read this book, don’t mind me. Lol it was cute 🥰
Read
November 24, 2022David went to school his teacher ask him to do
Want to read
February 20, 2023Text-To-Self Connection
This story reminds me of my seven year old. When my son transitioned from day care to school, he had a hard time listening to his teachers and following directions. I would always get calls and texts from his teachers about his behavior. In the story, David had his teachers hands full and just like my son, his teachers couldn't keep up with my son's energy.
This story reminds me of my seven year old. When my son transitioned from day care to school, he had a hard time listening to his teachers and following directions. I would always get calls and texts from his teachers about his behavior. In the story, David had his teachers hands full and just like my son, his teachers couldn't keep up with my son's energy.
May 21, 2024
3 - 6 years
October 12, 2025
Ona: I think it was a good book. 😁
October 12, 2017
David struggles with all of the things you are not supposed to do at school. He chews gum, talks out of turn, and simply can't stay in his seat. He learns that consequences follow his actions and must stay after school and clean desks as punishment. I think the Author David Shannon did a great job of writing and illustrating a almost wordless book for school-aged children to understand actions and consequences. I believe children will relate to this book.
March 4, 2021
Another one that I only have the option to rate with one star. I would give it a 3.
August 19, 2021
This book be great for children who are just learning to read. There is no real plot throughout the book, but kids would find the pictures and content of this book humorous. This book could be used in the classroom when discussing behaviors (nonexamples) and how to keep “your dear teacher happy.”
December 4, 2021
The more difficult your burden, the stronger you are after you overcome it.
December 6, 2023
Lo encontré triste la verdad, porque se demuestra que al final el profesor es una entidad castigadora que te dará cariño solo cuando haces las cosas bien. En mi experiencia personal, los niñxs con peor conducta son los que menos gritos necesitan.
February 6, 2023
Text-to-Self Connection: How does the story connect to your personal experiences or
background?
This book reminds me of the book my aunt would read to my cousins and me. Every time she read this book I would laugh so much because of the voices she made when she was reading it aloud to my cousins and me. She would always tell us that David was so hard-headed and we needed to try our best and not be like him. Whenever we were not listening to our parents and she was around she would call us David and it would make us so mad. Overall she called us David so we would fix our act.
background?
This book reminds me of the book my aunt would read to my cousins and me. Every time she read this book I would laugh so much because of the voices she made when she was reading it aloud to my cousins and me. She would always tell us that David was so hard-headed and we needed to try our best and not be like him. Whenever we were not listening to our parents and she was around she would call us David and it would make us so mad. Overall she called us David so we would fix our act.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 808 reviews