DON'T LET THE PIGEON DRIVE THE BUS!

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY:
Willems, Mo. 2003. Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! Ill.by Mo Willems. New York, NY: Hyperion Books for Children. ISBN 0796919881

2. PLOT SUMMARY:
The book begins with a bus driver introducing himself and asking for assistance as he takes a break from his route. He then entrusts the help of the readers to remember: “Don’t let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!” Pigeon, a lively and dramatic pigeon, begins by asking if he can drive the bus. He makes several heart wrenching requests to drive by pleading, begging, bargaining, and eventually throwing a feather flying tantrum before succumbing to his fate and sulking. His misery is quickly dissipated when he lays his eyes on a new conquest…a big red eighteen wheeler!

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS:
Mo Willems is a five-time Emmy Award winning writer and animator for Sesame Street. This is his first book for children and he was able to create a fun loving character that children will fall in love with. Pigeon is a rambunctious character who just wants to have fun. Pigeon begs, pleads, bargains, and eventually throws a huge tantrum as he tries to charm his way and plead his case to drive the bus. As you read through the book children are immersed into the story and begin to reply “No!” at Pigeon as he begs and pleads. You hear giggles and laughs as the children continue to hold firm in their position that Pigeon is not going to drive the bus. As an adult you can not help but enjoy listening to the interaction between the Pigeon and the children, it’s priceless. Pigeon ends up distraught at his failed attempt to convince the reader into allowing him to drive the bus. Pigeon’s attention to this problem is quickly diverted when he lays sight on a big red Mack truck.
Mo Willems illustrations of the pigeon are composed of line drawings. The pigeon is bluish grey with black crayon outline. The backgrounds are set to earth tone colors focusing on the pigeon and his expressions. As you turn each page the characterization of the pigeon is enhance by body gestures and facial features. Most noticeable is the movement and gesture of Pigeon’s eye. The text is written in old manual type writer style encased by a cartoon bubble. Mo Willems created a memorable character that will stay embedded in the hearts and minds of his readers.

4. REVIEW EXCERPTS:
Caldecott Honor Book
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.”
Horn Book starred: This well-paced story encourages audience interaction; in fact, like the wide-eyed pigeon, the book demands it.”
School Library Journal: “The genius of this book is that the very young will actually recognize themselves in it.”

5. CONNECTIONS:
*Discuss with children the last page and make predictions as to what will happen next.
* Have children name the pigeon (his cousins name is Herb) and give reasons for the name.
* Discuss what might have happened if the author had allowed the pigeon to drive the bus.
*Other books by Mo Willems:
Willems, Mo. The Pigeon Has Feelings Too! ISBN 0786836504
Willems, Mo. Pigeon Finds a Hot Dog. ISBN 0786818697
Willems, Mo. Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Tale. ISBN 0786818700