Reviews

Booklist

"Like many first-time students, Davy is afraid to go to class. So on the first day of school, he simply doesn't make the full journey. Instead, he fashions his own rickety school in the woods nearby. When his mother asks how his day at school went, he truthfully says, ‘It was lots of fun,‘to which mum replies, ‘you'll go far.' Eureka, young Davy seems to say. If I put wheels on my schoool, Ill go far. When his mobile house of education crashes into Mr. Stern's traditional school, Davy's enthusiasm quickly spreads. The illustrations, freewheeling cartoons with lots of variety in size and perspective are as quirky as the story, which injects a nice element of humor into a common situation."

Horn Book Guide

"The protagonist's creativity and the narrative insouciance is reminiscent of Hoban or Dahl, while the illustrations resemble a painterly Blake."

Library Talk

"Every student has daydreamed about what's beyond the classroom walls. Young readers will enjoy the premise of this story and the vicarious journey. Older children will find the word play humorous. Teachers will appreciate the subtle message that children who take charge of their own learning will go far. Recommended."

Booklist

"Like many first-time students, Davy is afraid to go to class. So on the first day of school, he simply doesn't make the full journey. Instead, he fashions his own rickety school in the woods nearby. When his mother asks how his day at school went, he truthfully says, ‘It was lots of fun,‘to which mum replies, ‘you'll go far.' Eureka, young Davy seems to say. If I put wheels on my schoool, Ill go far. When his mobile house of education crashes into Mr. Stern's traditional school, Davy's enthusiasm quickly spreads. The illustrations, freewheeling cartoons with lots of variety in size and perspective are as quirky as the story, which injects a nice element of humor into a common situation."

Horn Book Guide

"The protagonist's creativity and the narrative insouciance is reminiscent of Hoban or Dahl, while the illustrations resemble a painterly Blake."

Library Talk

"Every student has daydreamed about what's beyond the classroom walls. Young readers will enjoy the premise of this story and the vicarious journey. Older children will find the word play humorous. Teachers will appreciate the subtle message that children who take charge of their own learning will go far. Recommended."

Children's Literature

"It is Davy's first day of school, and he isn't sure that he wants to go. He has heard of stern teachers, homework and bullies. He decides to build his own school instead, and adds wheels so that he will go far (as his mother told him he would if he went to school). When he accidentally crashes into the real school and meets his teacher, Mr. Stern, he realizes his fears were well-grounded. … The story is reminiscent of a Roald Dahl adventure."

Through the Looking Glass Children's Book Review

"This remarkable story about a child who decides to create his own school is both delightful and funny. The artwork is deliciously expressive and the artist has carefully chosen when he should use color to best effect to complement the story. The combination of the minimal text and the illustrations makes this a one of a kind picture book. Children nervous about their first day of school will laugh and be comforted by the image of little Davy on his mobile school."