Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!
By Mo Willems
The Story
When the bus driver steps away and puts a young reader in charge, a persistent pigeon begs, bargains, and pleads for one thing: a turn behind the wheel.
Why It's Special
For the kid who's mastered every negotiation tactic in the book, watching the Pigeon try (and fail) to talk his way into the driver's seat feels like looking in a mirror.
- Big idea: Whining harder doesn't make the answer change to yes.
- Vibes: Silly, sly, and full of pleading energy that begs to be read out loud.
Perfect For Kids Who
- love saying no and feeling powerful about it
- are working on handling disappointment and hearing no
- like to talk back to characters in a book
- enjoy simple, expressive drawings with big personality
Ask Your Little Reader
- Story & problem-solving: What are all the different ways the Pigeon tries to convince you to say yes?
- Feelings & empathy: How do you think the Pigeon feels when you tell him no?
- Real-life connection: Can you think of a time you really, really wanted something and someone said no?
- Imagination: If you were the bus driver, would you ever let the Pigeon drive? Why or why not?
- Picture exploration: What does the Pigeon's face look like when he's begging versus when he's mad?
