Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus

Just the sort of silliness that will appeal to a preschooler.

Author: Mo Willems Illustrator: Mo Willems Pages: 32 Publisher: Hyperion Books for Children Published Date: 02/01/2004 Genre: Fiction - Picture Book HC Price: $12.99 Publisher's Recommended Reading Level: 2-6 Read Aloud: 2+ Read Alone: 6+ Awards: Caldecott Honor

Common Sense Note

With cartoon style pictures and an interactive story, this is just the sort of silliness that will appeal to a preschooler or lower elementary school age child with a sense of humor.

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Common Sense Review

Reviewed By: Marigny Dupuy

Minimalist in approach, the author/artist uses a limited number of very pale colors, and most pages in the book have a single image (usually the pigeon) and a bubble of text. Yet like Crocker Johnson's Harold and the Purple Crayon or A Seed is to Grow the strength of the story is in its simplicity. The conflict between the two main characters, the bus driver and the pigeon, is one of the most basic in early childhood: it is "yes I will" versus "no you won't." Things gets interesting, however, when each character appeals directly to the reader. This direct discourse from the bus driver and the goofy, wide-eyed pigeon draws the reader, or listener in the case of young children, right between the opposing parties. For young children (who think magically anyway), this is bound to be flattering and fun.

Mo Willems' credentials for entertaining children are impeccable. He has won an Emmy five times as a writer and animator of Sesame Street and he created "Sheep in the Big City" for Cartoon Network. DON'T LET THE PIGEON DRIVE THE BUS is a fine debut for Willems into the world of children's books.

From the book:
Hi! I'm the bus driver. Listen, I've got to leave for a little while, so can you watch things for me until I get back? Thanks. Oh, and remember: Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!

Plot Summary:

On the title page the bus driver addresses the reader directly. He says that he has to be gone for a while and asks if the reader can watch things, but not to let the pigeon drive the bus. As the driver walks off one page, the pigeon walks on the next asking if he can drive the bus. He begs, makes deals, pretends, complains, cajoles, bribes, and then insists that he be allowed to drive the bus, but his wish is not granted; so he fumes. The bus driver returns, thanks the reader, and drives off. The pigeon then spies a truck and a new fantasy takes hold of his imagination.

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