Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!

Willems, Mo. 2003. Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus. New York, NY: Hyperion Press. ISBN-13: 978-0786819881

Plot Summary:

A determined pigeon is the main character of Mo Willems' book Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus. The story begins with a simple instruction from the bus driver as he takes a break: Watch things for a little bit and don't let the pigeon drive the bus. From the moment the driver goes off, the pigeon says everything he can to convince us that he can drive the bus. He asks politely, he begs, and at one point, he hilariously explodes. The bus driver's return settles the matter for the pigeon: he will not drive the bus, but the pigeon doesn't give us. The book closes with the pigeon wishing to drive a nearby tractor.

Critical Analysis:

Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus is funny and irreverent. Willems effectively evokes the mentality and sensibility of a toddler (and teenager, for that matter) that wants a toy and wants it NOW. Just like any pre-schooler, the pigeon tries to charm us. He starts off nicely and asks with a "please, I'll be careful," tells the reader a story about his cousin Herb, goes through a series of bribes, and throws a temper tantrum worthy of any toddler that is emphasized by the illustrations.

As the illustrator, Willems uses crayon like drawings of the pigeon that look like something a young child might draw. The drawings emphasize the childlike attitude of the pigeon. The details of pigeon's facial expressions allow the reader to see the attitude of the pigeon as he attempts to coerce permission to drive the bus. The double layout where the pigeon snaps and has a temper tantrum worthy of any child (or teenager) is brilliant in its use of color, detail of the pigeon, and highlighting of the words. Up until these pages, the colors of the pages and illustrations have been very light blues, greys, and soft yellows with black, crayon like, outlining. The temper tantrum is characterized by a tangerine orange that stands out in contrast to the softer colors of the pages before and after it. The oversized lettering is in black with yellow highlighting behind it so that the reader knows the pigeon is yelling at us. Then, there is the pigeon himself. The pigeon is still a slate blue color, but his eyes are oversized with hints of red, and of course, with feathers flying. My two year old loved this layout more than anything else in the book, and as my five year old put it, "Mommy, he looks CRAZY!"

The illustrations make the reader smile and laugh throughout the simple plot of the book right up to the end where the readers see the pigeon dreaming of driving a big red tractor. The readers can imagine what the pigeon's next adventure will be from the illustrations throughout the book by replacing the bus with images of the red tractor.

Review Excerpts:

"A brilliantly simple book that is absolutely true to life, as anyone who interacts with an obdurate three-year-old can attest...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." Dona Ratterree, New York City Public Schools --From School Library Journal

"In his winning debut, Willems finds the preschooler in a pigeon: a cajoling, tantrum-throwing, irresistible bird. Willems is a professional animator, and each page has the feel of a perfectly frozen frame of cartoon footage--action, remarkable expression, and wild humor captured with just a few lines. Preschoolers will howl over the pigeon's dramatics, even as they recognize that he wheedles, blows up, and yearns to be powerful just like they do." Gillian Engberg Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --From Booklist


Award:
2004 Caldecott Honorable Mention

Connections:
Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus is the beginning of a series of books that follow the pigeon. This book should be read in series with the other pigeon books to allow children a full view of the pigeon's adventures. Each of the books have their own draw for young children, and most children will find something to identify with as the pigeon tries to stay up late, finds a hot dog, and wants a puppy.