I Don't Want to Go to School. Nancy Pando

      Table of Contents

       Title Page

       Dedication

      

       TIPS FOR KIDS

       TIPS FOR PARENTS

       Copyright Page

      To Greg, Dickie, Jacqui and Michael for being my heart and my funny bone. To Mom and Dad for their once upon a times. To my family, friends and the children who helped Honey to be, my love and gratitude.

      Honey Maloo, a little bee, lived with her mom in the knot-hole of a big oak tree. She loved to sing and tap dance. Most of all, she loved staying home with her mother every day and every night. Honey was a very happy bee.

      One September day her mother said, “Honey, tomorrow will be your first day of school.”

      “I don’t want to go to school!” shouted Honey. She ran to her room.

      Mom came in and sat on the bed. “Honey, do you remember when we met your teacher, Miss Daisy Petal? She seemed very nice.”

      “Yes, but I don’t want to go to school.” Honey hid her face in her pillow.

      “School will be fun, Honey. Your friends, Binky Bug and Tooty Beetle, will be in your class, too.”

      The next morning Honey’s mom helped the little bee pick out a pink dress and hair bow for her first day of school. Honey went downstairs for breakfast and slowly began eating a bowl of her favorite cereal, Flea Pops, and drinking a tiny glass of orange juice.

      “Honey,” her mother called. “You must finish your breakfast. We have to be at the bus stop at eight o’clock.”

      “I don’t want to go to school!” Honey said, stamping her tiny foot.

      “Honey, you will love school,” Mom said.

      “I love you better,” answered Honey.

      Mom stopped and gave Honey a big hug. “I love you so-o-o much, too, little bee.” Patting Honey’s head, Mom said, “We both have things we must do today—you have to go to school and I have work to do. If you feel sad, look at your watch. When the big hand points to the twelve and the little hand points to the three, it will be time for you to come home. I will sit and hold you just like I am now.”

      At the bus stop, Honey and her mother waited. The yellow bus came down the street and stopped. The black rubber doors snapped open. The bus driver got out to help Honey climb in. Mom waved good-bye to Honey and blew a kiss.

      The bus whooshed away.

      Honey flew right out the bus window and back to her house.

      The kitchen window was open. She hopped from the kitchen counter onto the window shade and rolled herself up in it.

      Honey whispered to herself, “Yikes! It is dark in here, but it’s a good hiding place. No one will be able to see me.” She waited and waited. Suddenly, Honey felt like she was going to sneeze.

      Ah-h-choo! Honey rolled out of the window shade and fell into the kitchen sink.

      Honey’s mom was wiping the kitchen counter and saw the little bee. “Honey!” cried Mom. “What are you doing here?” Mom scooped Honey into her arms and hugged her little bee. “I know you want to be with me, but you must go to school, Honey.”