This was a fun story and is a great conversation starter for those kiddos that are not sure they are wanting to go school. Fun illustrations and bright colors draw kids in as they listen to a story about 2 animals not wanting to go to school.

This is a cute book full of bright and fun illustrations that addresses an important topic in a child's life: starting school. It talks about the anxiety and fears that come along with it and things that might come up, but also about the good things that can happen at school. It also addresses the fact that teachers can be nervous about the first day, too!

I read this book to my grandchildren back in the summer, before school started for the year. It was going to be a new start for them as most of the previous school year was online. They were a little worried about the new school year and new friends. This picture book follows Mouse and Dinosaur as they prepare for their first day of school. They are both scared, with Mouse worried that the children won't like her, and Dinosaur worried that the teacher might be mean. But there is a huge surprise waiting for the class when they arrive at school! Mouse and Dinosaur learn to love school and not be so nervous. There is a plot twist that we loved and made us smile. The illustrations were wonderful. Every page is popping with brightness and characters having fun. The art is really expressive, done in a crayon style. This is a great book that could be read anytime school has been out for awhile, like after holidays and definitely a great one for anyone beginning a new year. My youngest grandchild starts school in September 2022 and I look forward to reading this one to him.

This book was received as an ARC from Publisher Spotlight - Tiger Tales in exchange for an honest review. Opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own.

This book is perfect for our Toddler Time program or for any child going to daycare or preschool. Being a former teaching assistant at a daycare center and a camp counselor at the same institution, I know how much children are scared on their first day and this book is a great representation of how school is not that scary and they are capable of anything. I also absolutely love the illustrations, colors, and execution of the pictures. Children will go crazy for them and see that school can be fun.

We will consider adding this title to our Picture Book collection at our library. That is why we give this book 5 stars.

I liked this book because it's about the first day of school jitters and not wanting to go and try something new, but it's also about making new friends in the process and how new things can be the beginning of new stories.

My daughter needs no help going back to school. She loves it! She skips off happily and barely says goodbye as she's running inside. Now my son, on the other hand, doesn't love school as much - he's just starting preschool and there have been many, many tears every day at drop off. Even though the school year has already started, any help couldn't hurt.

We've tried Sesame Street going to school, and comic book children heading to preschool for the first time. Those books didn't work. This time, I thought that a dinosaur might be a good try (until someone makes a monster truck goes to school story!)

My son loved the dinosaur pictures, as he immediately began to roar. We talked about how both Mouse and Dinosaur were scared, like him. After every page he would declare, "like me!" Afterwards, we spoke about what makes him scared. He didn't cry when going to sleep like he usually does, so a teeny bit of progress has been made! We will try and read this again tomorrow night - wish us luck!

The mouse doesn't want to go to school. She is nervous and afraid that nobody will like her.

The dinosaur doesn't want to go to school. He is afraid and concerned that nobody will like him.

Both find that they are not the only one to have these feelings. When they get to school, they find it is fun and make new friends. The surprise is that the mouse is the teacher and the dinosaur the student.

The illustrations are fantastic. They are fun, colorful and creative.


I received an ARC from Tiger Tales through NetGalley. This in no way affects my opinion or rating of this book. I am voluntarily submitting this review and am under no obligation to do so.
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4 stars

A sweet story for any kids anxious about the beginning of a new school year. Cute twist involved! Bright illustrations sure to be a hit with 2-4 year olds.

'I Don't Want to Go to School' was such a refreshing read! I adored the fact that it followed both a teacher, and a student. Young readers will surely feel at ease reading this relatable story.

I absolutely love this book. I babysit little ones in my home, and as with school there's often some fear and anxiety when they start. I Don't Want To Go To School stands out because it doesn't just tell the story of one little one being afraid to go to school, it shows 2.completely new friends who were who both nervous about new things but ended up loving it.
The illustrations are gorgeous and wonderfully colorful and the book is short enough that my toddlers (2 1/2 and 1 1/2) have remained engaged through the entire book.

I Don't Want to Go to School by Lula Bell made a great addition to our week of new schedules and routines. I don't have overly anxious children, but this book reminded me of a comment my first-grader made on his first day. Before school, he told he was "nervous about everything," except his cousin in the same program. When I picked him up, he cheerfully said, "Now I'm not nervous about anything!" Kids just need a little space to feel comfortable, and then school is such an exciting and wonderful thing.

We're all a litlte nervous about the unknown - this book shows two characters, a mouse and dinosaur, worried about their first day of school. I loved the juxtaposition of the mouse's worry, next to the worry of the bigger dinosaur. They are both afraid of the same things, and realize that perhaps they aren't the only one who is scared. When they are brave together, they find it's a wonderful and exciting place to be. The illustrations are bright and clear, the text is easy, and there is a twist reveal toward the end that makes you laugh (not every small mouse would dare go to a school full of dinosaurs). This is one teachers and students alike will enjoy.

Young mouse and young dinosaur, each begin their first day of school; reluctant and a little afraid as they get ready. But when they arrive, they have something in common!

A story that reminds us of times when we were nervous or scared, not just the first day of school. New things can be difficult because of uncertainty, but a little mutual support can help us be brave.

This would be a fun gift for anyone beginning something that could make them nervous--if they didn't know you understood, and would be there with them (at least in spirit)!

Short, easy to read, cheerfully presented, and brightly illustrated with a variety of creatures (dinosaurs and mice).

5/5 Stars

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the preview of this fun ebook!

#IDontWanttoGotoSchool #NetGalley

This is a good book for parents to read to their children when they are hesitant about going to school.
It is mouse and gator's first day of school and neither one want to go. They were too nervous to eat their breakfast. And they still do not want to go to school. Their imagination takes over: what if the kids don't like me, what if my teacher doesn't like me. Everything looks scary. I don't want to go to school. Then they think maybe I'm not the only one scared. I'll be brave if you will be brave. I don't know what I was afraid of there's lots of fun things to do. I can't wait to come back tomorrow.

This is a great book for a child’s first day of school. A mouse and an alligator share the same fears about going to school. Once they get there they realize that others are also afraid. They enjoy their classmates and activities and are anxious to return. I thought the messaging was well conveyed and the illustrations were excellent. This would be a good addition to a preschool, lower elementary classroom or a school library.

I loved the topic of this book. I was a kid who had severe anxiety about going to school, and I feel like this book would have helped me! I love that it gave the point of view from a student, and the teacher! Anxiety is something that needs to be talked about more, and I think this is a great way to talk about it with your children. The illustrations were also amazing and colorful!

What a sweet, easy to read book about the anxiety about starting school! I love the color palette and the animals...so engaging for rich ones!

This is a great book for children going to school for the first time or to a new school. It shows that it's okay to feel nervous or anxious, and that others often feel the same way. I would highly recommend this book for younger children that may feel some anxiety about going to school, but also to children who are excited about going to school, so they can see that some of their peers may be a little scared at first. I love the illustrations as well. Well done.

Mouse and Dinosaur are both starting school today and both are on the same page.... they DON'T want to go! They feel upset, nervous and dread heading off into a new school year. What awaits them they wonder? Will the kids like them? Will they like the kids or will the teacher be mean? Everything about starting seems so scary. The two are living in the land of "what ifs, " imagining everything that possibly can go wrong. Will their worst nightmares come true or will a lovely surprise await them as they engage themselves in a new adventure?

This is the perfect book to read ( and discuss ) for apprehensive kids who are dreading that very first day of school. It will spark conversations that will encourage and dispel feelings of fear and anxiety before the event begins. The illustrations are very well done and I am sure a lot of little ones can relate to how Mouse and Dinosaur are feeling. The happy ending with a twist is that Mouse is actually the teacher! Who knew? Kids will smile when they learn that yes, teachers get nervous too on the very first day of school. I personally know as I was a teacher and a principal for many years and I always had butterflies in my tummy and heart palpitations when that first bell of the semester rang. I highly recommend this book.

This book was narrated by 2 different characters, who are hesitate to go to school. Initially i assumed that the dinasoaur and the mouse were students, but towards the end of the book, I noticed that the mouse was a teacher! Ha! The reveal had me laughing for few seconds!  This book shows that it is OK to be nervous to attend the first day of school This cute book is easy to read and is ideal for early readers, and for little readers who are preparing for school.

A very simple, cute book about two new students who are nervous about starting school. This would be a great read for kids heading back to class this year, even if they haven't expressed anxiety about school. It's a light, easy way to get a conversation going about any fears they might have and also to encourage empathy toward other kids who might be feeling fears.

The story touches very relatable kid fears in a way that should resonate with young readers. I also really liked that the two characters who were scared were a tiny mouse and a big dinosaur, just to underscore the message that we all can have fears or worries no matter who we are.

Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review!