Book Review: Don't Let Pigeon Drive the Bus!
Don’t Let Pigeon Drive the Bus (Book Review)
Bibliography. Willems, Mo. 2003. Don’t Let Pigeon Drive the Bus! Ill. Willems, Mo. Glendale, CA. Hyperion Books. ISBN 978-0786819881.
Plot/Summary. At the very beginning of the book, the only human in sight leaves to take a small break from driving his bus. A pigeon comes along and breaks the fourth wall (as many children’s books do) to interact with the reader. The pigeon desperately wants to drive the bus, even though the bus driver specifically instructed the reader not to allow the bird to drive the bus. There are several pages that follow wherein the pigeon begs, threatens, and throws a tantrum over how badly it wants to drive the bus, while the reader is inferred to be saying no to the pigeon’s demands. At the very end, the pigeon catches sight of an eighteen-wheeler, and his attention is diverted to a new desire.
Critical Analysis. While humorous and engaging for young readers, this book also has some larger messages that it addresses. It delves into the inner persistence that is inherent within all children when they have a strong will to do something. We see this storyline complimented by Mo Willems beautifully rendered, although simplistic, stylized illustrations. It allows the readers of the book (who are more than likely reading along with an adult) to understand and accept the importance of there being rules followed, doing as instructed and that you shouldn’t give in, all while maintaining a playful, fun and positive tone throughout the storyline. It may even allow children to see a piece of themselves, asking for something that a parent or teacher has said no to, which is an added layer to the story that might make them smile at the pigeon's antics. The irony of this is that they themselves probably ask for things all the time that they know they shouldn’t be able to do (that third cookie, staying up late, games before homework, etc.) but they often tend to cut the poor pigeon no slack when he wants to do something just as off-the-wall.
Review Excerpts/Awards
ALA Notable Children’s Books
2004 Caldecott Honor Book
Booklist Best Book of the Year
Child Magazine Best Book of the Year
School Library Journal Best Book of the Year
“Like Walt Disney and Charles Schulz before him, Willems understands the primal power and allure of the circle. The Pigeon can stand toe-to-ideographic-to with Mickey Mouse and Charlie Brown.”--The New York Times Book Review
“A brilliantly simple book that is absolutely true to life.”--School Library Journal
Connections. This book is reminiscent of other repetitive question and answer type books, like Dr. Seuss’ famous “Green Eggs and Ham.” It opens discussion with young readers for what rules are, why we need them, and how we can follow them to the best of our ability in a silly and fun way. This is also a great book to work on skills like prediction, character motivation, and literary terms like monologue. If a reader looks closely, they will even find an Easter egg that the pigeon carries with it from one of Mo Willems other books.
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