Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!

Your mission, fellow readers, should you choose to accept it, is as follows: don't, I repeat, don't let the pigeon drive the bus. Oh, I know, it seems like a simple mission as these things go. Most pigeons like to fly after all, and most of them aren't very talkative anyway. But be warned, this is no ordinary pigeon! This unusual bird possesses all the guile and determination of a toddler angling to get a cookie before dinner.The formula of this book will quickly become familiar to any reader or listener: the pigeon wants to drive the bus, he NEEDS to drive the bus, and he's DRIVEN to drive the bus!! And nasty hobbitses want to keep him from the precious bus . . . oops, wrong story. ^_^ But, you get the picture. Your job, and your audience's job, is to say "No!" every time and for every ploy. No matter what that pigeon says or does, you can't give him an inch. Cuz you know he'll drive a mile! Kids especially know this routine by heart. After all, they're usually in the pigeon's shoes, thwarted time and time again from getting their momentary heart's desire. This allows them to try out the other role, to see what it's like to be the authority, to set the boundaries and delightfully shout "No!" every time. They aren't fooled for one minute by this pigeon.I'd really hesitate to call this book a storybook. Because this book really isn't one in the traditional sense. The audience does not sit quietly and wait to see what happens next. They make it happen. Without audience response, this book is only half a story. All of our crafty pigeons comments are directed outward, to the audience. He knows the reader is there and is ready to bargain with him and wear him down with his dreams of bus driving. Likewise, the pictures are simple, unadorned and angular. These are not misty and gorgeous pictorial masterpieces like Mary Grandpre might draw. But another illustrator's work would not have fit the book and created the delightfully subversive book that this has turned out to be. Like some of the best comic strips, our characters don't have to be realistic or elegant to get their point across and display a wide range of emotion and reactions. The books convey that information readily and simply, without anything to clutter or distract the reader from those actions. This is not art that is dressed up to the nines. This is art that gets down to work: casual, direct and very effective at what it does. Taken out of context, the pictures may be uninspiring and seem crude. In context, they make the story come to life and jump off the page.This is a modern tale and a modern classic. Particularly appropriate for kids in urban settings who may have never seen a barnyard or a cow, but sure as heck know what a pigeon and a bus is! There's no fancy prose or cutesy sweetness here, instead we find wry intelligence and a subtle charm that hits home with its target audience. If you have preschoolers I suggest you check this book out, despite your reservations. Probably best for a preschool to kindergarten age group, since kids much older than this will be looking for more complex reads and longer stories.If you like this, there are more books in store in the Pigeon series, but this one-to my mind-is the best. You might also want to check out CLICK, CLACK, MOO. COWS THAT TYPE by Doreen Cronin, or if your child is a bit older, perhaps THE STINKY CHEESE MAN AND OTHER FAIRLY STUPID TALES by John Scieszka. It's definitely worth a try with a child, and great for a whole group of kids. Give it a read, let your children give it a listen . . .but don't, and I repeat, DON'T let the pigeon drive the bus!Happy reading! Shanshad ^_^

Kids love this book. But the secret is just like many books parents need to help the books come to life. My 1 1/2 year old great niece loves the part that she can shout “NO” . Her dad reads it to her and he really gets her into the book. The illustration are simple but are perfectly done and are effective. And the thing is this book is 20 years old.

My daughter is 2 and a half and we love reading this book! It’s super cute and silly.

The pastor of my church used it in a service. He used to read it to his daughter when she was little. He amplified the meaning to associate with scripture. It’s a fun story. It’s a great little book. And I bought one for my son to come grandchild.

My grandsons favorite book!

I love all of Mo Willems' books. This particular one is very entertaining for young children because they respond to the pigeon all throughout the book. It reminds me of a young child questioning his parents over and over and each time they say "No." Only this time the child is the adult and the pigeon is the one asking over and over again. The illustrations are wonderful, funny and entertaining and they draw lots of comments from the kids. These are great for pre-school, reluctant readers in first and second grade, and once in a while, you will find an older child reading it. Or me.

Best. Book. EVER!!!!

What really drew me to this book - other than the fact that it's a Caldecott Honor Award winner - was knowing the author, Mo Willems, has been a Sesame Street writer and animator, and I have so much respect for the value of that show in finding fun and thought-provoking ways to teach youngsters.Though we're giving this book to our 2 year old grandson on his birthday, I wish I'd had it when I was full-time babysitting our 4-1/2 year old grandson at that age! Just love him to pieces, all of that spunk and fire, but - out of our three grandsons - he's the one who seemed to be "pushing the limits" from Day 1! This is an interactive type of book, beginning with a bus driver telling your child that he has to leave for a bit, asking that your child keep an eye on things while he's gone and to - above all - "Don't let the Pigeon drive the bus!" Now what child isn't going to be immediately drawn into a book that puts HIM/HER in charge?!Throughout the book (with VERY simple, pale illustrations - not a lot of busyness on each page), the Pigeon looks directly at and speaks directly to your child, using all of the methods of pleading to get your little person to give in to letting him drive the bus that he/she might typically use to try to get his/her way with YOU (i.e."Please?", "I never get to do anything!", "How 'bout I give you five bucks?", "No fair!", etc.) The Pigeon finally resorts to throwing a physical and verbal tantrum... "LET ME DRIVE THE BUS!!!" and then sulks when he's still not allowed to. The driver returns, thanks your child, and then it ends with a big semi-trailer arriving, the Pigeon eyeing it and saying, "Hey...", ready to begin the whole scenario again - as children will do!This is a silly little book where it'll be interesting to watch your child's reaction to having the tables turned!