Willems, Mo. 2003. Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus. by Mo Willems. New York: Hyperion Books for Children. ISBN 978078681988
Plot Summary:
In this silly story, a bus driver decides he has to step away from his bus for a moment and asks his audience to watch over the bus for him. The audience’s only real job is to prevent the curious and persistent pigeon from trying to drive the bus. All throughout the story the pigeon desperately tries to convince the audience to let him drive the bus. The pigeon tries to do everything in his power, including bribery, to get his audience to let him drive the bus. Eventually the pigeon realizes he is not going to get to drive the bus and throws a temper tantrum, all the while screaming, “LET ME DRIVE THE BUS!!!” Finally the bus driver returns and thanks the audience for preventing the pigeon from driving the bus. In the last few pages as the pigeon walks away he spots another vehicle of interest and begins to dream about driving it.
Critical
Analysis:
Anyone who has been around toddlers long enough will recognize pigeon’s behavior. How many times have we seen a child whine about wanting to do something to the point of throwing a temper-tantrum and in the end the child gives up and finds something else more interesting to consider? As a mother, I have most definitely witnessed this behavior! Children will find amusement in Pigeon’s behavior throughout the book; you might be surprised to see the children telling the pigeon he cannot drive the bus rather than sympathizing with the pigeon and offering to let him drive the bus.
The text is easy to follow along with and gives children the opportunity to understand and recognize pigeon’s behavior. The illustrations are simple, effective and pleasing to the eyes. The pigeon’s body is made up of a strong, simple black line that is intentionally made to look as though the drawing was done by a preschooler.
This title is ideal for children ages 2 and up. Anyone who has been around toddlers long enough will recognize pigeon’s behavior. How many times have we seen a child whine about wanting to do something to the point of throwing a temper-tantrum and in the end the child gives up and finds something else more interesting to consider? As a mother, I have most definitely witnessed this behavior! Children will find amusement in Pigeon’s behavior throughout the book; you might be surprised to see the children telling the pigeon he cannot drive the bus rather than sympathizing with the pigeon and offering to let him drive the bus.
The text is easy to follow along with and gives children the opportunity to understand and recognize pigeon’s behavior. The illustrations are simple, effective and pleasing to the eyes. The pigeon’s body is made up of a strong, simple black line that is intentionally made to look as though the drawing was done by a preschooler.
Review Excerpt(s):
- Caldecott Honor Book (2004)
- American Library Association Notable Children's Book (2004)
- Added to the Indies Choice Picture Book Hall of Fame (2009)
- Starred Review (2003) School Library Journal "A brilliantly simple book that is absolutely true to life"
- Starred Review (2003) Booklist "Willems finds the preschooler in a pigeon: a cajoling, tantrum-throwing, irresistable bird"
- Number 18 on the National Association of Education's "Teachers' Top 100 Books for Children" list
- Number 3 on School Library Journal's "Top 100 Picture Books" list
- Pair this title with other great favorites such as:
Giggle, Giggle, Quak by Doreen Cronin
The Wheels on the Bus by Paul Zelinsky
No, David! by David Shannon - Have the child(ren) interact with the book as though the pigeon is talking to the child(ren).
- Create the pigeon using a child's handprint as the body of the pigeon.
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