David goes to school --- when?

Two nights ago, I was reading "David Goes to School" by David Shannon to my own little kindergarten student.

We love David Shannon. "No David" is a pure example of a perfectly executed children's book. Even when my son was a baby he laughed out loud at the pictures and he appreciates it more every year.

But "David Goes to School?"

It doesn't work as well. It is -- dare I say it? -- dated.

Certainly some schools are more strict than others, but my son can't really relate to the school in the book, a place of drudgery and rules. There's not a single moment that seems joyful. My son LOVES school. At the end, when the teacher tells David he has to stay afterschool, my son shouted: "He gets to go to afterschool!" He thinks afterschool is cool and resents the fact that my job is flexible and I pick him up when school is out. He didn't even realize David was being punished.

Oh well. Maybe it works better for other kids!