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Mo Willems
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Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! Hardcover – Picture Book, April 1, 2003

by Mo Willems (Author, Illustrator)
4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 5,388 ratings
Teachers' pick
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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 preschooler's temper tantrum.
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  1. Reading age
    2 - 5 years, from customers
  2. Print length
    40 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Lexile measure
    280L
  5. Dimensions
    9.35 x 0.45 x 9.25 inches
  6. Publisher
    Hyperion Books for Children
  7. Publication date
    April 1, 2003
  8. ISBN-10
    078681988X
  9. ISBN-13
    978-0786819881
  10. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review


Amazon Exclusive: The Pigeon: A Life in Pictures
(Click on images to enlarge)

Back in 1993, I was cartooning for a ’zine. Due to a lack of other material, we decided to make the December issue a sketchbook with just my cartoons. I have been producing small cartoon and story sketchbooks for clients and pals every year since then. In 1998, my sketchbook featured a new character, the Pigeon. Born in the margins of a 1997 notebook filled with potential picture book ideas, he was complaining that his ideas were better than mine. To mollify him, I put him in that year’s sketchbook. The original sketchbook was much longer than the final published volume, but some of the lines were the same. In late 1999, an agent essentially agreed with the Pigeon and rejected my picture book ideas. She suggested I revisit my sketchbook with an eye to turning it into a picture book. My wife was working at a school library at the time and had read the sketchbook to her kids, who had enjoyed it. So I suppose it wasn’t too crazy an idea. I started to revise the layout and work with color. At the end of 2001, after several dozen rejections because the book was “unusual,” an editor decided that “unusual” was a good thing. Plus, it made her laugh. I began reworking and rewriting. The Pigeon was now starting to look more like his mature self. Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! was published in April 2003 and, to my surprise, proved to be popular quite quickly. Thankfully, that Pigeon doodle in the notebook back in 1997 was so insistent. He was right!

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 2-A brilliantly simple book that is absolutely true to life, as anyone who interacts with an obdurate three-year-old can attest. The bus driver has to leave for a while, and he makes one request of readers: "Don't let the pigeon drive the bus." It's the height of common sense, but the driver clearly knows this determined pigeon and readers do not-yet. "Hey, can I drive the bus?" asks the bird, at first all sweet reason, and then, having clearly been told no by readers, he begins his ever-escalating, increasingly silly bargaining. "I tell you what: I'll just steer," and "I never get to do anything," then "No fair! I bet your mom would let me." In a wonderfully expressive spread, the pigeon finally loses it, and, feathers flying and eyeballs popping, screams "LET ME DRIVE THE BUS!!!" in huge, scratchy, black-and-yellow capital letters. The driver returns, and the pigeon leaves in a funk-until he spies a huge tractor trailer, and dares to dream again. Like David Shannon's No, David (Scholastic, 1998), 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
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Hyperion Books for Children; First Edition (April 1, 2003)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 40 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 078681988X
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0786819881
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 2 - 5 years, from customers
  • Lexile measure ‏ : ‎ 280L
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.31 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 9.35 x 0.45 x 9.25 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 5,388 ratings

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Mo Willems

Mo Willems

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Mo Willems (born February 11, 1968) is an American writer, animator, and creator of children's books.

Bio from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Customer reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars
5,388 global ratings

Customers say

Customers find the book fun and memorable for young scholars. They also appreciate the awesome illustrations and the fact that it fascinates young children. Readers describe the book as easy to catch on reading and simple. They appreciate the great humor and wit. They love how interactive the book is. Opinions differ on the content, with some finding it great and modern, while others say it's lame.

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Reading levelIllustrationsChildren's booksComplexityHumorInteractivityCharactersContent
277 customers mention "Reading level"277 positive0 negative

Customers find the book fun and memorable for wee scholars. They also say it's great for reading aloud to children, holds a child's interest again and again, and is humorous for any age. Readers also mention that the font gets larger for louder reading.

"...It's definitely worth a try with a child, and great for a whole group of kids. Give it a read, let your children give it a listen . ...." Read more

"...Super cute and fun book." Read more

"...Kids love this book. It gets them involved in reading the book." Read more

"...This is a silly little book where it'll be interesting to watch your child's reaction to having the tables turned!" Read more

118 customers mention "Illustrations"110 positive8 negative

Customers find the illustrations in the book awesome, simple yet expressive. They also say the pictures are not distracting, and the soft colors create a lovely overall look.

"...Likewise, the pictures are simple, unadorned and angular. These are not misty and gorgeous pictorial masterpieces like Mary Grandpre might draw...." Read more

"...They love how interactive it is and being able to yell out “no!” Super cute and fun book." Read more

"Beautiful cute book!!" Read more

"...Throughout the book (with VERY simple, pale illustrations - not a lot of busyness on each page)..." Read more

111 customers mention "Children's books"107 positive4 negative

Customers find the children's books fascinating, perfect for beginning readers, and instantly relatable. They also say the books are interactive and encourage connection between the parent and the child.

"...This is a modern tale and a modern classic. Particularly appropriate for kids in urban settings who may have never seen a barnyard or a cow, but..." Read more

"...This is our 6th book and just as great as the others. Good for beginner readers." Read more

"...A great way to engage kids when, frankly, some don't give a damn about bus safety...." Read more

"...Each book helps teach your child something and they absolutely love reading & learning!..." Read more

45 customers mention "Complexity"35 positive10 negative

Customers find the book easy to catch on reading for early readers. They also appreciate the awesome illustrations, which are simple yet expressive. Overall, customers find the story quick, but captivating.

"...The books convey that information readily and simply, without anything to clutter or distract the reader from those actions...." Read more

"...Throughout the book (with VERY simple, pale illustrations - not a lot of busyness on each page)..." Read more

"7 yo loves that crazy pigeon! Fun, easy to read stories that he discovered at the library, and I have started to invest in because he just keeps..." Read more

"...And "funny" -- this book is totally overrated!..." Read more

44 customers mention "Humor"40 positive4 negative

Customers find the humor in the book great, witty, and endearing. They also appreciate the relatable pigeon whining and the range of emotions the pig shows.

"4 year old grandson has read this book so many times. He laughs a lot at the pigeon. Great book. He asked for all the other books in the series...." Read more

"...The pigeon is hilarious. His expressions, his attitude, and his body language is awesome. He's basically yelling the whole book...." Read more

"...The words on the page are to the point and easy enough for even the youngest to recognize them and join in on the reading...." Read more

"...His books are funny, engaging, entertaining, and just long enough to have content without overwhelming our toddler...." Read more

38 customers mention "Interactivity"38 positive0 negative

Customers find the book interactive, clever, and fun. They say it gets them involved and gives them a chance to interact with the reading.

"My niece and nephew love this book! They love how interactive it is and being able to yell out “no!” Super cute and fun book." Read more

"...This is an interactive type of book, beginning with a bus driver telling your child that he has to leave for a bit, asking that your child keep an..." Read more

"...out loud reader will fascinate young children and allow them to interact with the story. And remember Don't let the Pigeon drive the bus..." Read more

"My child loves this book, even though it’s a quick read, it’s interactive when you read to your child...." Read more

17 customers mention "Characters"12 positive5 negative

Customers find the characters in the book memorable, hilarious, and wonderful.

"...It's great for reading aloud to children -- lots of opportunities for the actor in you...." Read more

"...all the time to my kiddo, its funny, well illustrated and the characters are memorable." Read more

"...The question has been answered...move on. This bird is annoying and is teaching a behavior that is unacceptable in my home...." Read more

"...The pigeon, while not a model of proper behavior, is a fun character whose dramatic reactions mimic the responses of young kids...." Read more

56 customers mention "Content"33 positive23 negative

Customers are mixed about the content. Some mention that the premise is great, the drawings are priceless, and the stories are the best. They also say the book is interactive, exciting, and incredibly clever. Readers also mention that it's a cute read about a persistent pigeon that wants to drive the bus. However, some customers feel the story is somewhat lame and completely boring.

"...This is a modern tale and a modern classic...." Read more

"...That said, the story is too simple for the sophisticated crowd of fowl-experts at my house...." Read more

"...For lack of a better term, it is a great call-and-response story. The pigeon asks, they shout "No!"'..." Read more

"Story is not great for kids. For us, the biggest problem is the authors constant use of contractions and non-standard spellings...." Read more

Love this book!
5 out of 5 stars
Love this book!
I love the Pigeon serious and my son enjoys story time with this book. It’s a cute, humorous story.
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Top reviews from the United States

Shanshad
5.0 out of 5 stars Just Say NO to the Pigeon!
Reviewed in the United States on May 26, 2005
Verified Purchase
Your mission, fellow readers, should you choose to accept it, is as follows: don't, I repeat, don't let the pigeon drive the bus. Oh, I know, it seems like a simple mission as these things go. Most pigeons like to fly after all, and most of them aren't very talkative anyway. But be warned, this is no ordinary pigeon! This unusual bird possesses all the guile and determination of a toddler angling to get a cookie before dinner.

The formula of this book will quickly become familiar to any reader or listener: the pigeon wants to drive the bus, he NEEDS to drive the bus, and he's DRIVEN to drive the bus!! And nasty hobbitses want to keep him from the precious bus . . . oops, wrong story. ^_^ But, you get the picture. Your job, and your audience's job, is to say "No!" every time and for every ploy. No matter what that pigeon says or does, you can't give him an inch. Cuz you know he'll drive a mile! Kids especially know this routine by heart. After all, they're usually in the pigeon's shoes, thwarted time and time again from getting their momentary heart's desire. This allows them to try out the other role, to see what it's like to be the authority, to set the boundaries and delightfully shout "No!" every time. They aren't fooled for one minute by this pigeon.

I'd really hesitate to call this book a storybook. Because this book really isn't one in the traditional sense. The audience does not sit quietly and wait to see what happens next. They make it happen. Without audience response, this book is only half a story. All of our crafty pigeons comments are directed outward, to the audience. He knows the reader is there and is ready to bargain with him and wear him down with his dreams of bus driving. Likewise, the pictures are simple, unadorned and angular. These are not misty and gorgeous pictorial masterpieces like Mary Grandpre might draw. But another illustrator's work would not have fit the book and created the delightfully subversive book that this has turned out to be. Like some of the best comic strips, our characters don't have to be realistic or elegant to get their point across and display a wide range of emotion and reactions. The books convey that information readily and simply, without anything to clutter or distract the reader from those actions. This is not art that is dressed up to the nines. This is art that gets down to work: casual, direct and very effective at what it does. Taken out of context, the pictures may be uninspiring and seem crude. In context, they make the story come to life and jump off the page.

This is a modern tale and a modern classic. Particularly appropriate for kids in urban settings who may have never seen a barnyard or a cow, but sure as heck know what a pigeon and a bus is! There's no fancy prose or cutesy sweetness here, instead we find wry intelligence and a subtle charm that hits home with its target audience. If you have preschoolers I suggest you check this book out, despite your reservations. Probably best for a preschool to kindergarten age group, since kids much older than this will be looking for more complex reads and longer stories.

If you like this, there are more books in store in the Pigeon series, but this one-to my mind-is the best. You might also want to check out CLICK, CLACK, MOO. COWS THAT TYPE by Doreen Cronin, or if your child is a bit older, perhaps THE STINKY CHEESE MAN AND OTHER FAIRLY STUPID TALES by John Scieszka. It's definitely worth a try with a child, and great for a whole group of kids. Give it a read, let your children give it a listen . . .but don't, and I repeat, DON'T let the pigeon drive the bus!

Happy reading! Shanshad ^_^
32 people found this helpful
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Zoya Raskina
5.0 out of 5 stars Kids love it
Reviewed in the United States on May 14, 2024
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My niece and nephew love this book! They love how interactive it is and being able to yell out “no!” Super cute and fun book.
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Jan Godfrey
5.0 out of 5 stars My granddaughters loved this book when they were younger
Reviewed in the United States on May 26, 2024
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Bought this as part of a baby shower gift. Kids love this book. It gets them involved in reading the book.
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Marciax
5.0 out of 5 stars Great
Reviewed in the United States on June 26, 2024
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My almost 6 year old grandson loves books by this author. This is our 6th book and just as great as the others. Good for beginner readers.
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Margaret
5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic book - kids love it
Reviewed in the United States on February 28, 2024
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They love recognizing the crazy things the pigeon does and yelling "no" when the pigeon asked if he could drive the bus. I highly recommend it.
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Kimberly Roby
5.0 out of 5 stars So cute!!
Reviewed in the United States on July 11, 2024
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Beautiful cute book!!
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Scott Raskin
5.0 out of 5 stars Read these every night
Reviewed in the United States on April 14, 2024
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My kids love them!
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Grandma Zizzy
4.0 out of 5 stars OK... now your CHILD'S in charge! How will children react to the Pigeon's pleas, bribes and demands when THEY'RE the boss?
Reviewed in the United States on August 29, 2016
Verified Purchase
What really drew me to this book - other than the fact that it's a Caldecott Honor Award winner - was knowing the author, Mo Willems, has been a Sesame Street writer and animator, and I have so much respect for the value of that show in finding fun and thought-provoking ways to teach youngsters.

Though we're giving this book to our 2 year old grandson on his birthday, I wish I'd had it when I was full-time babysitting our 4-1/2 year old grandson at that age! Just love him to pieces, all of that spunk and fire, but - out of our three grandsons - he's the one who seemed to be "pushing the limits" from Day 1! This is an interactive type of book, beginning with a bus driver telling your child that he has to leave for a bit, asking that your child keep an eye on things while he's gone and to - above all - "Don't let the Pigeon drive the bus!" Now what child isn't going to be immediately drawn into a book that puts HIM/HER in charge?!

Throughout the book (with VERY simple, pale illustrations - not a lot of busyness on each page), the Pigeon looks directly at and speaks directly to your child, using all of the methods of pleading to get your little person to give in to letting him drive the bus that he/she might typically use to try to get his/her way with YOU (i.e."Please?", "I never get to do anything!", "How 'bout I give you five bucks?", "No fair!", etc.) The Pigeon finally resorts to throwing a physical and verbal tantrum... "LET ME DRIVE THE BUS!!!" and then sulks when he's still not allowed to. The driver returns, thanks your child, and then it ends with a big semi-trailer arriving, the Pigeon eyeing it and saying, "Hey...", ready to begin the whole scenario again - as children will do!

This is a silly little book where it'll be interesting to watch your child's reaction to having the tables turned!
102 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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Kathryn Kay
5.0 out of 5 stars Great story
Reviewed in Canada on October 9, 2023
Verified Purchase
I love this book and the others by the author.
Using different voices as you read to children is fun.
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Dodora B.
5.0 out of 5 stars Recomendo
Reviewed in Brazil on February 5, 2022
Verified Purchase
Livro de acordo com o anunciado. Sem problemas e recomendo.
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Isabella
5.0 out of 5 stars ESILARANTE!!!
Reviewed in Italy on November 14, 2022
Verified Purchase
Tutto è iniziato dopo aver preso in prestito dalla scuola inglese il libro THE PIGEON NEEDS A BATH, dopo di chè abbiamo dovuto comprarli tutti!
E' una collana esilarante!!!
Semplice, pieno di immagini, la grafica e la mimica del piccione sono meravigliosi!!
Penso che questo sia probabilmente il libro illustrato per bambini, che più di tutti ho amato, tra quelli presi per mia figlia!

(alla pagina dove scopriva i suoi "wriggly toes" ho pianto dal ridere!!!)

Consegna come sempre perfetta di Amazon, nei tempi previsti ed accuratezza impeccabile!
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K
5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful
Reviewed in India on December 23, 2020
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Such a wonderful book! We ended up buying the entire Mo Willems collection in order to read it to our little one.
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Ivan Rodriguez
5.0 out of 5 stars Libro muy recomendable
Reviewed in Spain on November 5, 2020
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La historia es muy entretenida y diferente, y a los niños les encanta. Las ilustraciones son simples pero muy bien hechas. La tapa dura hace el libro resistente. Muy recomendable.
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