We Don’t Eat Our Classmates

By Ryan T. Higgins 
Disney-Hyperion, 2018
Picture book, 48 pages, ages 3-6

Penelope Rex is starting school, and she’s got a case of the first day jitters. When she gets to school, she’s surprised. All of her classmates are CHILDREN. Turns out, children are delicious. But it’s not nice to eat your classmates. Will Penelope learn how to get along with them? And what happens when she meets Walter?

Read this book – you’ll laugh, you’ll chuckle, and laugh some more. 

Penelope’s attempts to fit in and make friends are hilarious. This is one of the funniest children’s books of all time. Kids love the humor. Adults love the humor. Basically, almost everyone finds this book funny. (There might be some readers who don’t find the consumption of classmates humorous, even if no children are actually in peril, only slimed. And there might be some readers who prefer more serious books, or books that don’t feature adorable T. rexes.)

We Don’t Eat Our Classmates is relatable on so many levels. Readers will connect with Penelope’s anxiety about starting something new and going someplace she’s never been before. They’ll relate to her awkwardness and yearning to find a friend. They’ll understand what it feels like to be afraid (really afraid) of something. Penelope is sometimes naughty when she doesn’t mean to be – what kid can’t relate to that?

There are teachable moments and discussion opportunities cleverly woven into the story. But no overt morals hit you over the head. This isn’t that kind of book. It’s just plain fun, and a great story. A must-have for any library. 

We Don’t Eat Our Classmates by Ryan T. Higgins gets 5 stars from this reviewer.