The Big Winners ~ Picture Books - Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus

Book Cover Photo Source, Barnes and Noble: http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Dont-Let-the-Pigeon-Drive-the-Bus/Mo-Willems/e/9780786819881/?itm=1, accessed May 4, 2009.

Bibliography

Willems, Mo. 2003. DON'T LET THE PIGEON DRIVE THE BUS. New York: Hyperion Books for Children. ISBN 078681988X

Summary

In this funny story, a bus driver gets off the bus to take his break, and a pigeon steps up to take his place. As he begs to drive the bus, the children get a sense that he is talking to them and will love being able to answer back as he begs and pleads his was through the book. Mo Willems once again does a superb job using his cartoon-like illustrations, to capture what every young child resembles as he throws a temper tantrum. My favorite part of the books comes on the last pages, where feeling dejected, he sees a huge red tractor-trailer go by and begins to dream about driving it. This reminds us of how easily little ones forget about so many things!

Note: This book recieved the Caldecott Honor Award in 2004.

Reviews

PUBLISHER'S WEEKLY: "The plucky star peeks in from the left side of a page, and exhibits an array of pleading strategies against window-pane panels in mauve, salmon and willow ("I'll be your best friend," he says wide-eyed in one, and whispers behind a wing, "How 'bout I give you five bucks?"). Finally he erupts in a full-spread tantrum on an orange background, the text outlined in electric yellow ("Let me drive the bus!!!"). When the driver returns and takes off, the bird slumps dejectedly until a big red truck inspires a new round of motoring fantasies. Readers will likely find satisfaction in this whimsical show of emotions and, perhaps, a bit of self-recognition." Ages 2-6.

SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: "Like David Shannon's No, David (Scholastic, 1998), Pigeon is an unflinching and hilarious look at a child's potential for mischief. In a plain palette, with childishly elemental line drawings, Willems has captured the essence of unreasonableness in the very young. The genius of this book is that the very young will actually recognize themselves in it."

KIRKUS REVIEWS: "This cinematic adventure, with its simple retro-cartoonish drawings, begins on the opening endpapers when a pale blue pigeon dreams of driving a bus. On the title page, the profile of the strong-jawed bus driver notes in a word bubble that he has to leave for a little while and requests that the reader watch things for him. "Oh and remember: "Don’t let the Pigeon Drive the Bus." The text is a handwritten, typewriter-like hand in white word bubbles set on a background of neutral tones of lavender, salmon, celadon, and beige. With the bus in the reader’s care, the bus driver nonchalantly strolls away. Turn the page and readers see a close-up of the pigeon, who spends the next 13 well-paced pages begging, pleading, lying, and bribing his way into their hearts. The words "LET ME DRIVE THE BUS!!!" triple in size and leap from the page as the pigeon loses control, flopping across the bottom of the pages. Readers of all ages will nod with recognition of his helplessness and frustration."