[BOOK REVIEW] Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! by Mo Willems

Title:  Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!

Author:  Mo Willems


Genre: Animal / Humor / Manners


Year Published: 2003


Year Read: 2011


Series: Pigeon

Publisher:  Walker Books Ltd

Source:  Library

Content Rating:  Ages 3+  (Some Rude Behavior)

Buy on:  Amazon  //  Book Depository 

 

I have read many books by Mo Willems that have been honored with the Caldecott Honor award, which included the “Knuffle Bunny” series.  Now I have recently read “Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!” which is actually Mo Willems’ first children’s book and is a Caldecott Honor book and it is about how the Pigeon keeps asking the audience if he could drive the bus after the bus driver leaves to run an errand.  “Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!” is truly a memorable book that children can read over and over again!

At the beginning of the book, a bus driver comes by and tells the audience that he has to leave to do something, but before he leaves, he warns the audience, “DON’T LET THE PIGEON DRIVE THE BUS!” After the bus driver leaves, the pigeon comes by and starts asking the audience if he could drive the bus.

Wow!  I never would have thought that a book a pigeon just asking the audience if he can drive the bus throughout the book would be so interesting to read!  Mo Willems has done an awesome job at both illustrating and writing this book about the pigeon asking everyone if he could drive the bus.  What I found so interesting about this book was the fact that the only illustrations shown in this book were mainly of a blue pigeon and a bus driver in a grey and green uniform who only shows up at the beginning and end of the book, but Mo Williems did a great job at making this book extremely hilarious by giving out different expressions for the pigeon which ranges from excitement to anger.  Mo Williem’s writing is extremely simple yet witty at the same time as it goes to show that you do not have to have long sentences to make a great book!  What I really loved about Mo Williems’ writing is the dialogue that the Pigeon is given as it is hilarious and witty to listen to and my favorite quotes from the pigeon were, “Pigeon at the Wheel!” and “No? I never get to do anything!”

All in all, “Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!” is truly one unique and hilarious children’s book that every child who love witty humor will definitely get a kick out of it! I would recommend this book to children ages three and up since there is nothing inappropriate in this book and the format is simple enough for small children to understand.

* 2004 An ALA Notable Children's Book for Younger Readers
* 2004 Buckaroo Book Award
* 2004 Caldecott Honor
* 2004 Charlotte Zolotow Award Nominee for Highly Commended Title
* 2005 Flicker Tale Children's Book Award
* 2005 Golden Archer Award for Primary
* 2005 Kentucky Bluegrass Award for K-2
* 2005 Vermont's Picture Book Award: Red Clover
* 2006 South Carolina Book Award for Picture Book Award
* 2009 Indies Choice Book Award for Picture Book Hall of Fame