A review by davidscrimshaw
Marco Goes to School by Roz Chast

4.0

I love Roz Chast and her cartoons, but I cannot give this book 5 stars.

Marco is a talking bird who goes to his first day of school. The day had ups and downs. From what I remember of kindergarten back in 1965, some of it seems to be similar - nap time? what self-respecting 5-year-old takes naps when there is so much to do.

For Marco, he would rather get started on his plan to get to the moon.

So here is why I can't give 5 stars:

(1) Marco is a talking bird. Which is okay. But I just prefer talking rodents. I don't know why, but I do.

(2) [Spoiler warning] Marco does not get to the moon. This may be realistic and it could be that the kids who read this need to know that while they might meet other kids in kindergarten who will help them make enormous block towers, they won't be reaching the moon.

The message is clear. I should write a story about a talking rat who goes into outer space.