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I Will Not Walk to School
From award-winning author Naseem Hrab, an uproariously funny and totally relatable tale of a monster who loves school, but hates the commute!
It’s eight o’clock, Bird tells Monster ― time to walk to school. Monster stays in bed. It’s not school he’s resisting. He loves school! It’s the getting there he hates. And, today, Monster declares, he will not walk to school. Will Bird’s cajoling help? Nope. How about Bird’s reminder that the pancake breakfast is today? Hmm. Will there be pepperoni and pineapple on those pancakes? Erm … yes? With maple syrup on the side? Yes. Okay. Monster will drag himself out the door. But, no matter what, he will not walk to school!
Author Naseem Hrab’s hilarious story, told entirely in speech balloons, is sure to resonate with young children everywhere (and their grown-ups!). Who hasn’t had one of those days? With an absurdity and nuttiness reminiscent of Mo Willems, this book will keep readers laughing out loud, unable to resist Monster’s hilarious antics as he sticks to his promise! Kelly Collier’s playful illustrations perfectly capture the emotional state of Monster and of Bird’s growing exasperation. While books about going to school are perennial favorites, this one’s focus on simply getting there sets it apart from other picture books about school readiness. It’s just the right weekday morning story for children who are delaying their own walks to school … and looking for ways to make them more fun!
It’s eight o’clock, Bird tells Monster ― time to walk to school. Monster stays in bed. It’s not school he’s resisting. He loves school! It’s the getting there he hates. And, today, Monster declares, he will not walk to school. Will Bird’s cajoling help? Nope. How about Bird’s reminder that the pancake breakfast is today? Hmm. Will there be pepperoni and pineapple on those pancakes? Erm … yes? With maple syrup on the side? Yes. Okay. Monster will drag himself out the door. But, no matter what, he will not walk to school!
Author Naseem Hrab’s hilarious story, told entirely in speech balloons, is sure to resonate with young children everywhere (and their grown-ups!). Who hasn’t had one of those days? With an absurdity and nuttiness reminiscent of Mo Willems, this book will keep readers laughing out loud, unable to resist Monster’s hilarious antics as he sticks to his promise! Kelly Collier’s playful illustrations perfectly capture the emotional state of Monster and of Bird’s growing exasperation. While books about going to school are perennial favorites, this one’s focus on simply getting there sets it apart from other picture books about school readiness. It’s just the right weekday morning story for children who are delaying their own walks to school … and looking for ways to make them more fun!
40 pages, Hardcover
Published May 5, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
July 20, 2026
wasn't my favorite.
May 16, 2026
Monster loves going to school, but the motivation to actually get there is a little hard for him. His friend, the bird who is very patient, encourages him along the way and reminds him about Pancake Day at school!
August 13, 2026
You know this is my kind of funny 😁
May 20, 2026
Monster is excited about pancake breakfast day at school today but is not looking forward to the commute. He hates walking to school. It's so boring. Monster only gets a move on when friend Bird tells him that, not only is it pancake breakfast day, it's pepperoni pineapple pizza day! Then, of course, is the battle to get out of the house. There are last minute bathroom trips and favorite toys that must go to school with us. Bird must remember that Monster will NOT walk to school today. So there is jumping, skipping and scootering until they finally arrive at school...only to find that there is no pepperoni or pineapple for the pancakes. However, friends save the day bringing the missing items with them!
Kids will love the silliness of the story while parent's will appreciate the relatableness of trying to get out of the house on time. Drawback: Monster doesn't bring anything to share for pancake breakfast day.
Kids will love the silliness of the story while parent's will appreciate the relatableness of trying to get out of the house on time. Drawback: Monster doesn't bring anything to share for pancake breakfast day.
May 19, 2026
I Will Not Walk to School by Naseem Hrab and Kelly Collier. PICTURE BOOK. Kids Can Press, 2026. $20. 9781525314391
BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K, EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE
APPEALS TO: SEVERAL
Monster is not interested in walking to school today - even with the promise of pepperoni pineapple pizza pancake Breakfast Day. Reluctantly he starts on his way, finding excuses and methods to avoid going any faster.
Monster will appeal to any student who wants to sleep in rather than go to school today. He is very silly, a bit sarcastic, and Collier’s illustrations give him just the right atmosphere.
Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS
BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K, EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE
APPEALS TO: SEVERAL
Monster is not interested in walking to school today - even with the promise of pepperoni pineapple pizza pancake Breakfast Day. Reluctantly he starts on his way, finding excuses and methods to avoid going any faster.
Monster will appeal to any student who wants to sleep in rather than go to school today. He is very silly, a bit sarcastic, and Collier’s illustrations give him just the right atmosphere.
Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS
June 20, 2026
Author: Naseem Hrab & Kelly Collier
Title: I Will Not Walk to School
Publication date: 2026
Category: Picture Storybook
Interest level: Kindergarten to 1st grade
Brief Annotation: Monster does not want to go to school, but his friend is trying to convince him to walk to school for the Pancake Breakfast.
Themes: Monster, walking, commuting, school, pancakes
Ways to use this book with children: This could be for reader's advisory for kids who like monsters, pancakes, or do not want to go to school. It could be used for read aloud.
Diversity: N/A-different monsters
Where/how you found the book: I found it through the public library, but I have no clue on why.
Title: I Will Not Walk to School
Publication date: 2026
Category: Picture Storybook
Interest level: Kindergarten to 1st grade
Brief Annotation: Monster does not want to go to school, but his friend is trying to convince him to walk to school for the Pancake Breakfast.
Themes: Monster, walking, commuting, school, pancakes
Ways to use this book with children: This could be for reader's advisory for kids who like monsters, pancakes, or do not want to go to school. It could be used for read aloud.
Diversity: N/A-different monsters
Where/how you found the book: I found it through the public library, but I have no clue on why.
August 10, 2026
It’s Pepperoni Pineapple Pizza Pancake Breakfast Day!
The only problem is that Monster doesn’t want to walk to school (He likes school, just not the commute). Will Bird be able to get Monster out of the house and to school on time?
It’s funny seeing Monster procrastinate, delay, and make repeated use of mode-of-transportation loopholes —the final resolution was low-key hilarious— but the ending itself was just okay.
The only problem is that Monster doesn’t want to walk to school (He likes school, just not the commute). Will Bird be able to get Monster out of the house and to school on time?
It’s funny seeing Monster procrastinate, delay, and make repeated use of mode-of-transportation loopholes —the final resolution was low-key hilarious— but the ending itself was just okay.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
The author does a great job of describing what it’s like to get a child ready to go anywhere. Monster likes school but doesn’t want to walk there. He can hop and skip though. I’m not sure the ending really wraps the story up well but the struggle is cute.
June 17, 2026
This book had a silly concept, yet it was a little tricky to read aloud and follow and my kindergartener didn't have much patience to sit through and learn if he made it to eat the pepperoni covered pancakes or not.
August 10, 2026
Monster loves school but hates the commute. In this fun and silly read, Monster heads to school to enjoy Pancake Breakfast day featuring pepperoni pineapple pizza pancakes. His only issue is that he refuses to walk to school. Read to discover how Monster actually gets to school.
September 1, 2026
So weird, but you know what? In elementary school I developed a complex plan to build a ski-lift that would take me to and from school because I hated the walk (especially when cold or hot or snowy). So I do think this hits the kid-humor nicely.
May 26, 2026
Super cute. "I do love school, Bird. But I hate the commute. I wish I could just be there already." Same, Monster. Same.
Read
July 17, 2026I liked this book, though I don't know if kids will pick up on the irony.
July 28, 2026
This hilarious picture book, brought to you by an incredible team, is sure to entertain and resonate with kids and parents alike! Monster’s comments and illustrated antics will leave you giggling.
August 15, 2026
I normally enjoy both the author and the illustrator's work, but this one didn't quite do it for me.
September 3, 2026
This book gave me anxiety.
September 8, 2026
Loved this one! The monster's face on the cover pulled me in. I need a sequel! Kids can relate to the monster's situation.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews