Director of Learning Jennifer Gallop recommends We Don’t Eat Our Classmates by Ryan T. Higgins to kick off the 2026/27 school year.
For my first Friday Reads in my new role as director of learning, I couldn’t resist choosing We Don’t Eat Our Classmates.
It’s the perfect book for the beginning of a new school year, especially when we’re all meeting new people, learning new routines and trying to remember where we’re supposed to be!
Penelope T. Rex is excited for her first day of school, but quickly discovers that making friends is a little harder when your classmates look like snacks.
Not only is it hilarious, but this story is also a great reminder of empathy, self-control and the importance of making space for others.
As I begin this new chapter, I think there’s something fitting about a book that reminds us that we’re all new somewhere. Here’s to a school year filled with curiosity, connection, a little laughter and absolutely no eating our colleagues or friends.
Happy new school year, SD42!
We Don’t Eat Our Classmates is available in SD42 libraries.
