Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!

Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!
By Mo Willems


The pigeon wants to drive the bus. Plain and simple. In this story the pigeon engages with the reader, trying to convince the reader that he should have a chance to drive the bus. He plays it cool. He tries to sweet talk. He throws a tantrum. Finally the bus driver comes back and asks the reader, "You didn't let the pigeon drive the bus, did you?"


This 2003 Caldecott Honor book looks deceptively simple at first glance. The pigeon is drawn with thick black lines, and there is very little in the way of background scenery. However, what appears to be almost too simple quickly becomes genius if the reader looks a little closer. The pigeon's bug-eyes and postures convey a wide range of emotion effectively. (The one critique I could make of the illustrations is that, for children at least, a little more detail to catch their eyes would be nice.) Parents will find much in this book to make them laugh out loud, and children will enjoy it too. Parents can allow their children to answer every wheedling request of the pigeon with a loud, "No!" Children will enjoy finally getting to be in the position of their parents, saying no to someone else!


Mo Willems has quickly become one of my favorite picture book authors, and I look forward to sharing his books with the young children in my life!


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