by Mo Willems
Part of Pigeon, book 1
First published 2004
The bus driver steps away from his vehicle and leaves behind one simple instruction: don't let the pigeon drive the bus. But this particular pigeon has other plans. He immediately begins his campaign to get behind the wheel. The pigeon tries every trick in the book. He pleads with readers directly. He wheedles and cajoles. He throws what can only be described as a full-scale tantrum when his requests go unanswered. The pigeon's desperation grows with each page as he pulls out increasingly dramatic arguments for why he should be allowed to drive. Young readers become active participants in the story, empowered to say no to the pigeon's relentless requests. The book captures the familiar dynamic of a child pushing boundaries and testing limits. Mo Willems creates a character who embodies pure want and determination, making readers both the authority figure and the audience for an epic meltdown.
Genres: contemporary, picture-books, comedy
Vibes: whimsical
Tropes: animals-as-characters, breaking-the-fourth-wall
40 pages · Hardcover · Walker Books Ltd