The Pigeon HAS to Go to School!

The Pigeon HAS to Go to School! is a children's book written and illustrated by Mo Willems. Published by Hyperion Books for Children in 2019, it is about a pigeon who must go to school, but frets about math, learning the alphabet, heavy backpacks, and what the teacher and other birds would think of him.[1]

The Pigeon HAS to Go to School!
AuthorMo Willems
Cover artistWillems
LanguageEnglish
GenreChildren's book
PublishedJuly 2, 2019
PublisherHyperion Books for Children
Publication placeUnited States
Pages40
ISBN9781368046459
Preceded byThe Pigeon Needs a Bath! 
Followed byThe Pigeon Will Ride the Roller Coaster! 

Reception

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Kirkus Book Reviews wrote: "All the typical worries and excuses kids have about school are filtered through Willems’ hysterical, bus-loving Pigeon."[2] and "Yes, the Pigeon has to go to school, and so do readers, and this book will surely ease the way."[2]

Film adaptation

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An animated short film based on the book was released in 2019 (the same year the book was released)[3] by Weston Woods Studios, with narration by Willems and the additional voices of students from Side by Side School in Norwalk, CT. The film runs for 8 minutes and 20 seconds. It was directed by Pete List.[4]

References

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  1. ^ Willems, Mo (2019). The pigeon has to go to school! (First ed.). New York: Hyperion Books for Children. ISBN 9781368046459.
  2. ^ a b "THE PIGEON HAS TO GO TO SCHOOL! | Kirkus Reviews". Retrieved November 14, 2022.
  3. ^ "Scholastic.com | Weston Woods". westonwoods.scholastic.com. Retrieved November 16, 2022.
  4. ^ Willems, M. (2019). The pigeon HAS to go to school! : an animated film. Danbury, CT: Weston Woods Studios. ISBN 978-1-338-57263-6.