Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!

                                         

                                                 Image courtesy of Hyperion Books for Children

Bibliography

            Willems, Mo. Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! New York: Hyperion Books for Children, 2003. ISBN 9780786819881

Plot Summary

You are given the responsibility of watching the bus while the driver is away along with a warning. All you have to do is make sure the pigeon doesn’t drive the bus. Seems easy enough, but soon you realize this is one annoying, nagging, manipulative pigeon. The pigeon does anything and everything to persuade you. When the driver returns, he thanks you, and you witness the pigeon’s sadness. Fortunately for pigeon, sadness quickly disappears with the arrival of a new challenge – a big red truck!

Critical Analysis

Anyone who has ever cared for children will feel a déjà vu here, but for children this is a brand new experience. Since they are usually on the other side of this experience, it gives kids a chance to empathize with adults. Children love this book, and from what I can tell it’s because they like to feel they are in charge of someone else. Or maybe, children see themselves and laugh because they are portrayed so accurately in this pigeon’s personification. Pigeon’s character is definitely well developed taking on the perspective of a young child. I love the way the resolution of the story is brought on suddenly with red trucks zooming out, leading the reader to infer what the pigeon is thinking next.

The illustrations with their simple outlined style and contrasting colors attract kids to the book. Coloring flows with the emotions of the main character throughout the story, moving from soft to bold colors. Perhaps children identify with the artwork, feeling it is similar to their own. The popularity of Mo Willem’s books in kids’ hands on a daily basis is a testament to the illustrations and well-loved characters.

Honestly, there are many picture books that I enjoy reading with or without a child around. This book is not like that for me, but I think it is because Willems is so in tune with what the child wants out of a story. So, it is truly a book designed for kids, and I say give them what they want!

Review Excerpts

2004 Caldecott Honor Award

2003 SLJ Top 100 Picture Books #3

2009 SLJ Top 100 Picture Books #5

2009 Inducted into the Indies Choice Book Awards Picture Book Hall of Fame

From Kirkus Reviews: “A first picture book by an Emmy Award–winning writer and animator, listeners will be begging, pleading, lying, and bribing to hear it again and again.”

From Publisher’s Weekly: “Readers will likely find satisfaction in this whimsical show of emotions and, perhaps, a bit of self-recognition.”

From School Library Journal: “Another book that reflects the experience of childhood.  Kids just don’t get things their way very much – although they try!”

From Booklist: “Preschoolers will howl over the pigeon’s dramatics, even as they recognize that he wheedles, blows up, and yearns to be powerful just like they do.”

Connections

Read to students of any age to engage students in inferencing skills.

Use in a discussion on emotions. This could help kids talk about their feelings.

Use to introduce a lesson in responsibility or integrity.

Gather other Mo Willems’ books.

• ·       Don’t Let the Pigeon Stay Up Late ISBN 9780786819881
• ·       The Pigeon Want’s a Puppy ISBN 9781423109600
• ·       The Duckling Gets a Cookie!? ISBN 9781423151289
• ·       The Thank You Book ISBN 9781423178286

Pair with Doreen Cronin’s books of animals taking charge.

• ·       Click Clack Moo Cows that Type ISBN 9780689832130
• ·       Giggle Giggle Quack ISBN 9781442408913
• ·       Duck for President ISBN 9780689863776
• ·       Click Clack Quackity Quack ISBN 9780689877155