Marco Goes to School

Marco the red parrot wanted to do everything (except sleep) in Too Busy Marco. His mind is still awhirl in this school-themed follow-up: while Marco’s teacher, Mrs. Peachtree, drones on (“Monday Tuesday Chewsday Chumday Humday Doo-dah-day”), his thoughts are on becoming the first bird on the moon (“Must get to moon,” reads the wired bird’s thought bubble at naptime). Chast isn’t interested in messages or lessons—Marco daydreams, has fun at school, and that’s about it—and her scribbly ink-detailed watercolors and Marco’s left-field observations convey his singular perspective with abundant humor. Ages 4–8. Agent: Jin Auh, the Wylie Agency. (July)