Don't Let the Pigeon Stay Up Late!

Book review by Patricia Tauzer, Common Sense Media
Don't Let the Pigeon Stay Up Late! Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 2+

The perfect go-to-bed book for stalling kids.

Mo Willems Picture Book 2006
Rate book

Parents say

not rated for age

Based on 1 review

Kids say

age 3+

Based on 2 reviews

Common Sense is a nonprofit organization. Your purchase helps us remain independent and ad-free.
Rate book

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

A Lot or a Little?

The parents' guide to what's in this book.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that many of the pigeon's bedtime stalling tactics will sound familiar to most parents, and the book may even get kids to laugh at and acknowledge their own behavior. Nothing objectionable is presented.

Community Reviews

Sharon M
Sharon M Adult
April 9, 2008
not rated for age

Puts your preschooler in your shoes!

If you have any theatrical flair at all for reading aloud, this book is guaranteed to provoke giggles in anybody over the age of eighteen months. For kids at that challenging "I don't WANT to go to bed!" stage, it gives them a chance to see all the fussing, excuse-making, "just one more glass of water" whining from your point of view, with hilarious results. Even the most recalcitrant three year old will be in full agreement by the end that, despite the protests, that pigeon is sleepy and really needs to get to bed on time!
See all 1 parent review

What's the Story?

On the very first page, the same bus driver from the earlier Pigeon books again asks the child reader to be in charge. This time the request is to get the pigeon to bed while the driver brushes his teeth. From then on, even as the pigeon yawns and yawns some more, the sleepy bird tries one diversion after another to avoid his bedtime. Everything works out in the end and the reader is congratulated on a job well done.

Is It Any Good?

Short but funny, Don't Let the Pigeon Stay Up Late! is the perfect go-to-bed book, especially for the reluctant sleepy kid. The simple drawings of a big-eyed, two-dimensional pigeon, painted in pastel blue and outlined with strong black lines, will be familiar to anyone who has read Mo Willems' previous Pigeon books. With an easy shift of the eye, lift of a wing, turn of the beak, or droop of the neck and eye-lid, the cartoon pigeon, coupled with large-print words and plenty of exclamation points, gets his story across with an easy humor that kids will enjoy. He is lovable, exasperating, and so kid-like.

Mo Willems knows kids. Not only has he won six Emmy awards as a writer and animator for Sesame Street, but he also won Caldecott Honors for Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus and Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Tale.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the different tactics the pigeon uses to put off his bedtime. Do any of them sound familiar? The pigeon seems tired, so why do you think the he doesn't want to go to bed?

Book Details

Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.

See how we rate