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There Is a Bird on Your Head! (by Mo Willems)

common sense media says

Tender comedy is great for beginning readers.

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What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this is another one of the very funny books in Mo Willems' Elephant and Piggie series. Kids will laugh themselves silly when reading it.

Positive messages: Not applicable.
Violence & scariness: Not applicable.
Language: Not applicable.
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More on There Is a Bird on Your Head!

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about and play the two main characters. Members in the family can take the part of Gerald the elephant, or his friend Piggie, and act out this story, which almost sounds like a Laurel and Hardy comedy routine. Beginning readers can handle the text, and everyone in the family will love the expressively comic drawings.

What's the story?

What's the story?
When a bird lands on Gerald the elephant's head, the trouble begins. One thing leads to another, with Gerald freaking out and Piggie trying to help out, or at least explain what is going on. Things go from bad to worse, but always in fun, until a surprising solution is found.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 
Anyone familiar with Mo Willems' Don't Let the Pigeon… books will recognize the simple but expressive lines of his drawings, as well as those of his text. Both are funny in a quiet way that creeps up on you until you're laughing yourself silly. Bespeckled and a little stressed out, pessimistic Gerald the elephant has the look of a worried old man while his upbeat friend Piggie is much more kid-like and exuberant. Together they make a great pair, in much the same way as Frog and Toad.

The language is simple and repetitive enough for beginning readers to enjoy. And the humor will hold their interest while they struggle with the harder parts. This book is so much fun that even struggling readers will want to read it over and over again, especially if they are able to share parts with another reader. And, happily, this is only one of several in the Elephant and Piggie series.

Book themes & details

Book Details
Author: Mo Willems
Illustrator: Mo Willems
Publisher: Hyperion Books for Children
Publication date: July 31, 2007
Number of pages: 64
Hardcover price: $8.99
Read Aloud: 4
Read Alone: 5
This review was written by Patricia Tauzer
 
 

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Most useful reviews by all members

Leenah
adult
3
 
Found it to be a very entertaining story.
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helped me decide (12) | had useful details (13) | read my mind (12)
jameehubbard
parent of 3 year old
2
 
Great book for my 2 year old!
Easy to keep my 2 year old son's attention. He asks for this book time and again! Great drawings! I recommend for any age, but particularly for 2 years and up, as they are beginning to understand some of the concepts and terms in the book - like "love."
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helped me decide (10) | had useful details (10) | read my mind (10)

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