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55th out of 2,284 books
—
3,582 voters
Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! (Pigeon)
by
Mo Willems
When a bus driver takes a break from his route, a very unlikely volunteer springs up to take his place-a pigeon! But you've never met one like this before. As he pleads, wheedles, and begs his way through the book, children will love being able to answer back and decide his fate. In his hilarious picture book debut, popular cartoonist Mo Willems perfectly captures a presch...more
Published
(first published April 1st 2003)
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3.5 STARS. I thought this was a well thought out book, but I'm not sure how much of dear little Pigeon I'll be able to take. Initially, I thought he was cute if rather whiny (The Pigeon Wants a Puppy!) This time, I thought he was borderline obnoxious and manipulative. Which, of course, is the point, I think! Maybe it's to illustrate the absurdity of kids trying to get their parents to let them do things that there is absolutely no way they can/should do!
It was, perhaps, just my mood and perhaps...more
It was, perhaps, just my mood and perhaps...more
Jul 23, 2007
Jenny
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Those working with 2-5s
A short but snappy story from popular cartoonist Mo Willems. 'Don't Let The Pigeon Drive The Bus' is guaranteed to leave you with a big smile on your face! I am not ashamed to say that this story brought out the dramatist in me as I read it out loud to a mother and toddler group!
The best part had to be the glorious double page spread of illustrations showing all of the pigeon's techniques to convince you to let him drive the bus... "Your MUM said that I could...", "I'll give you five pounds!" (...more
The best part had to be the glorious double page spread of illustrations showing all of the pigeon's techniques to convince you to let him drive the bus... "Your MUM said that I could...", "I'll give you five pounds!" (...more
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...more
7 likes · like · see review
The illustrations and text will make children laugh hysterically as the pigeon gets more and more frustrated. This is an excellent book for demonstrating expressive reading.
Received starred reviews in SLJ and Booklist.
Received starred reviews in SLJ and Booklist.
2 likes · like · see review
- ages 2-6 -
Former Sesame Street writer Mo Willems's first children's book in a series starring the delightful blue pigeon. I liked the participatory element - story begins with the bus driver asking us to watch the bus for him while he takes a break. Also love the drawings and text - simple, yet really fresh and unique.
The rest of the line-up: Don't Let the Pigeon Stay Up Late!, The Pigeon Finds a Hot Dog!, The Pigeon Has Feelings, Too!, The Pigeon Loves Things That Go! and The Pigeon Wants a...more
Former Sesame Street writer Mo Willems's first children's book in a series starring the delightful blue pigeon. I liked the participatory element - story begins with the bus driver asking us to watch the bus for him while he takes a break. Also love the drawings and text - simple, yet really fresh and unique.
The rest of the line-up: Don't Let the Pigeon Stay Up Late!, The Pigeon Finds a Hot Dog!, The Pigeon Has Feelings, Too!, The Pigeon Loves Things That Go! and The Pigeon Wants a...more
Mar 31, 2012
Tatiana
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
childrens-picture-books
Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! is an excellent example of a dialogue-driven children's book. You can't help but smile as the pigeon in question pleads his case for taking the giant vehicle around the block, perhaps because his reasonings are so similar to that of young kids' arguing style. The double-page, irreverent illustrations only add to the comedy of the pigeon's situation. A must for read-alouds in the primary grades.
Cute interactive book for older preschoolers. Your child needs to have a grasp of right and wrong and a sense of humor to appreciate this book. In other words it's probably not so great for toddlers. The reason is that your child has to "get" that the pigeon in this book is being obnoxious and naughty. The pigeon tries to wheedle, wine and bargain his way into driving the bus (which has been left in your care by the bus driver with the explicit instructions NOT TO LET THE PIGEON DRIVE THE BUS) s...more
2 likes · like · see review
Called "one of the great read aloud books" by Steve Barancik of Children's Book Review¹, this picture book uses simple line drawings and a minimal amount of dialogue to create a sweet and entertaining story. It features a pigeon who begs and pleads to be allowed to drive a bus using common childhood arguments. The audience get to say 'no' over and over again, putting them in the role of the parents. The pigeon is denied from driving the bus, showing children that incessant begging is not effecti...more
Genre: Picture Book
Reading Level: Early
Topics & Themes: Persistence and manipulation: Not taking no for an answer.
Curricular Use: Read aloud.
Literary Elements: Humor. Strong example of voice. Personification.
Text & Pictures: Interaction of text and pictures. The pictures convey the pigeons tone and expression, especially by the use of his eyeball. (And when he gets mad you know it).
Reading Level: Early
Topics & Themes: Persistence and manipulation: Not taking no for an answer.
Curricular Use: Read aloud.
Literary Elements: Humor. Strong example of voice. Personification.
Text & Pictures: Interaction of text and pictures. The pictures convey the pigeons tone and expression, especially by the use of his eyeball. (And when he gets mad you know it).
I think this book would be a great choice for a read aloud to young children because of its simple illustrations and premise. The book provides an opportunity audience participation. The story commences with a bus driver asking the audience to keep an eye on his bus while he’s away and warning the audience (or reader) not to let the pigeon drive the bus. As soon as the driver is out of sight, the pigeon (who to me, resembles more of a duck in the book’s illustrations) appears attempting to befr...more
A school bus driver leaves his bus for a while and tells the readers "Don't Let the Pigeon Drive Drive the Bus!" A pigeon begs to be able to drive the bus even just for a little bit. The cartoons are simple yet hilarious.
My response: I never read this book before but I re-read it a couple of times and got some good laughs. It reminds me when I was a kid when I would always beg my parents to do something even after they said no. I found the book to be entertaining.
Classroom Connections: Students...more
My response: I never read this book before but I re-read it a couple of times and got some good laughs. It reminds me when I was a kid when I would always beg my parents to do something even after they said no. I found the book to be entertaining.
Classroom Connections: Students...more
1 like · like · see review
Annotation:
The book is a well-written, dialogue-driven book, the writing is all done using a one-sided conversation. It involves a very persistent pigeon who wants to drive a bus. The story starts with the bus driver leaving instructions for the reader to not let the pigeon drive the bus. As the story progresses the pigeon whines and complains until the bus driver returns and drives the bus away. The story ends with a semi truck driving up and the pigeon dreaming about driving it. The illustrati...more
The book is a well-written, dialogue-driven book, the writing is all done using a one-sided conversation. It involves a very persistent pigeon who wants to drive a bus. The story starts with the bus driver leaving instructions for the reader to not let the pigeon drive the bus. As the story progresses the pigeon whines and complains until the bus driver returns and drives the bus away. The story ends with a semi truck driving up and the pigeon dreaming about driving it. The illustrati...more
This is a story about a pigeon who is determined to drive a school bus. While the bus driver goes on break, he asks the reader to pay careful attention to the bus and not allow the pigeon to drive it. The pigeon then proceeds to beg and plead the reader to allow him to drive the bus. When the bus driver returns he then thanks the reader for not allowing the pigeon to drive the bus.
Response:I thought this story was adorable. I loved all good humor and creative illustrations that the author inclu...more
Response:I thought this story was adorable. I loved all good humor and creative illustrations that the author inclu...more
Summary
This book is about when a bus driver takes a break. The bus driver tells the audience that they cannot let the pigeon drive the bus. Throughout the different illustrations, you see the pigeon keep begging to drive the bus and it is implied that the listener keeps saying no.
Responses
I gave this book five stars because I thought it was cute. It made me laugh multiple times throughout the book, too. All the pigeon wanted was to drive the bus and no one gave him a good reason why he couldn...more
This book is about when a bus driver takes a break. The bus driver tells the audience that they cannot let the pigeon drive the bus. Throughout the different illustrations, you see the pigeon keep begging to drive the bus and it is implied that the listener keeps saying no.
Responses
I gave this book five stars because I thought it was cute. It made me laugh multiple times throughout the book, too. All the pigeon wanted was to drive the bus and no one gave him a good reason why he couldn...more
In this delightfully upbeat picture book, a bus driver steps away from the wheel of his bus for a minute and asks the reader to pay careful watch of the bus. However, before leaving he warns readers to not allow the pigeon to drive the bus! Of course after the driver leaves, the pigeon pleads with readers to allow him to drive the bus.
The humor of this book would draw in even the most lackluster reader. With short sentence structure and a variety of picture frames with extreme movement, Mo Wi...more
The humor of this book would draw in even the most lackluster reader. With short sentence structure and a variety of picture frames with extreme movement, Mo Wi...more
1 like · like · see review
I find this book interesting. The illustrations are sparse, yet cartoon-like- the face of the bus driver reminds me of the faces Hanna-Barbera cartoon characters such as Officer Dibble from Top Cat, or Barney Rubble from The Flintstones. However, the colours in Don't Let The Pigeon Drive The Bus are quite muted; beige-pink and pale blue, and there is a lot of space in them, focusing the reader on the character of the pigeon and his pleading.
The narrative is very simple: a bus driver goes for a b...more
The narrative is very simple: a bus driver goes for a b...more
I must say that when this book first came out I had my doubts. Now this was because when it came out I was 16 and reading it to my little brother....every...single....day. However, this only goes to show what an awesome book it is. It really captures children's imaginations. I like how the pictures are so simple and can be rather easily interpreted by children who cannot read yet. Also the interactive nature of the book is guaranteed to get children involved in the reading. Now to me the pigeon...more
This book is about a bus driver who has to leave and tells the readers to not let him drive the bus. Of course the determined pigeon ends up negotiating with the reader trying to get the okay to drive the bus. By the time the bus driver returns the pigeon screams “LET ME DRIVE THE BUS!” and stalks off the bus. The illustrations in this book go along with the mood of the pigeon so well. The pictures are so sweet in the beginning and start to slowly look meaner.
I gave this book 5 stars because it...more
I gave this book 5 stars because it...more
Genre: Other
Summary: The bus driver needs to take a quick break and just as he walks away, a pesky pigeon appears and desperately begs and pleads with the reader to allow him to drive the bus. However, the driver gave the reader specific instructions: “Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!”
A. Area for comment: Illustration and tone
B. Willems skillfully uses his illustrative technique along with the use of expressive dialog to convey meaning and express the tone of the text. Though the formation o...more
Summary: The bus driver needs to take a quick break and just as he walks away, a pesky pigeon appears and desperately begs and pleads with the reader to allow him to drive the bus. However, the driver gave the reader specific instructions: “Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!”
A. Area for comment: Illustration and tone
B. Willems skillfully uses his illustrative technique along with the use of expressive dialog to convey meaning and express the tone of the text. Though the formation o...more
Summary
Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus was a picture book about a bus driver that has to leave his bus for a moment and leaves the reader in charge of making sure the pigeon does not drive the bus. The pigeon is begging us readers to let him drive the bus, he pleads and begs, along with bribing, but you as the audience do not let him drive the bus! The illustrations add to the story in simple drawings yet they say so much.
Response
I gave Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus 5 stars simply becaus...more
Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus was a picture book about a bus driver that has to leave his bus for a moment and leaves the reader in charge of making sure the pigeon does not drive the bus. The pigeon is begging us readers to let him drive the bus, he pleads and begs, along with bribing, but you as the audience do not let him drive the bus! The illustrations add to the story in simple drawings yet they say so much.
Response
I gave Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus 5 stars simply becaus...more
Summary:
Don’t let the Pigeon Drive the Bus is an interactive book. The bus driver had to leave his bus and asked if we would make sure the pigeon does not drive his bus, and the pigeon tries everything to make you let him drive the bus. The illustrations go along very well with the story, and the pigeon always has a different facial expression on that corresponds to what he is asking and how he is feeling.
Response:
I had heard bad things about this particular book, however after reading it, I...more
Don’t let the Pigeon Drive the Bus is an interactive book. The bus driver had to leave his bus and asked if we would make sure the pigeon does not drive his bus, and the pigeon tries everything to make you let him drive the bus. The illustrations go along very well with the story, and the pigeon always has a different facial expression on that corresponds to what he is asking and how he is feeling.
Response:
I had heard bad things about this particular book, however after reading it, I...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
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Summary
The story starts as a bus driver telling the reader to watch for the bus and not to let the pigeon drive the bus. At the beginning the pigeon starts to ask nicely if he could drive the bus, in this part the students say no, the pigeon gradually starts to ask again, then tells a story about his/her cousin, who once drove the bus, then he starts to bribe the reader. The pigeon gets really mad and demands to drive the bus. However, as a reader we continue to say no. In the end the bus driver...more
The story starts as a bus driver telling the reader to watch for the bus and not to let the pigeon drive the bus. At the beginning the pigeon starts to ask nicely if he could drive the bus, in this part the students say no, the pigeon gradually starts to ask again, then tells a story about his/her cousin, who once drove the bus, then he starts to bribe the reader. The pigeon gets really mad and demands to drive the bus. However, as a reader we continue to say no. In the end the bus driver...more
Sep 18, 2012
Christina Baldridge
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
picture-storybooks
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
Sep 18, 2012
Alli
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
picture-book,
read-aloud
Mo Williams, WOW, what an astonishing writer. I truly cannot think of a children’s picture book that I enjoy more than “Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus”. The simplicity and the humor are enjoyable for all ages. I would recommend this for ages 4+ because of the humor, but all ages enjoy the silly pictures inside. The drawling insides are simple yet eye catching from the color contrast and also the expression of the frustrated pigeon. Children enjoy the concept that the pigeon is asking them fo...more
Don't Let The Pigeon Drive The Bus! written and illustrated by Mo Willems is a wonderful, modern, and interactive book written as half the dialogue between the audience and the main character Pigeon. The entire story line is about this Pigeon asking the audience to allow him to drive the bus after the audience was given specific instructions by the bus driver to not let the pigeon drive the bus!
The illustrations are muted colors and very simplistic, on nearly every page, only the pigeon is prese...more
The illustrations are muted colors and very simplistic, on nearly every page, only the pigeon is prese...more
This book is absolutely hysterical. The random nature of the plot and the simple, yet active illustrations move along with the story, making it an interesting read aloud choice. I mean, who knew that pigeons had so many emotions? I enjoyed this book, as it is a great choice for adults who want children to interact with them as they read the story. It will make kids shout, "NO!" at the pigeon as he teeters on the edge of harassment to convince you to let him drive the bus, providing a parallel to...more
Summary
When the bus driver leaves you in charge to watch the bus it can be challenging when you have a pigeon asking you constantly if he could watch the bus. Throughout this book the pigeon is begging children to let him drive the bus, but you cannot let him because the students have to follow the directions of the bus driver. This book is unlike most picture books. This book is open ended so that when the pigeon asks to drive the bus the children can say no, so not only are they listening to t...more
When the bus driver leaves you in charge to watch the bus it can be challenging when you have a pigeon asking you constantly if he could watch the bus. Throughout this book the pigeon is begging children to let him drive the bus, but you cannot let him because the students have to follow the directions of the bus driver. This book is unlike most picture books. This book is open ended so that when the pigeon asks to drive the bus the children can say no, so not only are they listening to t...more
Sep 12, 2012
Barbara
added it
This book is about a pigeon who is on a bus where the driver gets off for short moment. The pigeon so desperately wants to drive the bus but no one will let him drive it. He begs and pleads, yells, and screams, but its up to the reader to respond. The whole book shows pictures of the pigeons actions and his temper tantrum. In the end everyone wonders if he will be able to drive the bus. The poor pigeon never gets to drive the bus. After all, pigeons cant drive buses. This book is a great tool fo...more
The front cover is a simple drawing of a pigeon with a speech-bubble. Children should/could recognise that image. The pigeon has a child-like quality to its depiction, especially in the way the feet are drawn (ie there is missing accuracy and perception compared to the angle of the rest of its body). The book is aimed at the reader being asked for permission to drive the bus and therefore places responsibility on the reader.
The first page is a double page spread with images in thought-bubbles of...more
The first page is a double page spread with images in thought-bubbles of...more
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PIGEONS CAN DRIVE??? | 23 | 96 | 13. September, 21:36 Uhr |
#1 New York Times Bestselling author and illustrator Mo Willems is best known for his Caldecott Honor winning picture books Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus and Knuffle Bunny: a cautionary tale.
In addition to such picture books as Leonardo the Terrible Monster, Edwina the Dinosaur Who Didn’t Know She Was Extinct, and Time to Pee, Mo has created the Elephant and Piggie books, a series of early r...more
More about Mo Willems...
In addition to such picture books as Leonardo the Terrible Monster, Edwina the Dinosaur Who Didn’t Know She Was Extinct, and Time to Pee, Mo has created the Elephant and Piggie books, a series of early r...more
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“I bet your mom would let me."
-Pigeon, Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus-”
—
49 people liked it
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-Pigeon, Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus-”
08. August, 10:33 Uhr
17. Februar, 13:41 Uhr