Don't let the pigeon drive the bus

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Willems, Mo. 2003. DON’T LET THE PIGEON DRIVE THE BUS Ill. by Robert McCloskey. New York, NY: Hyperion Books. ISBN 078681988

PLOT SUMMARY

“Don’t let the pigeon drive the bus!” The bus driver warns as he leaves you in charge. As soon as the bus driver leaves, a pigeon asks if he can drive the bus. As you follow the warning of the bus driver and tell the pigeon “No” a tantrum ensues. The pigeon tries everything in his power to get you to let him drive the bus. He asks nicely, pleads, begs and grovels for his chance to drive the bus. At the last moment when it seems you might give in and tell him yes the bus driver returns and thanks you for not letting the pigeon drive the bus.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Mo Willems expertly crafts the meltdown of a toddler in his book “Don’t let the pigeon drive the bus.” The title of the book serves as the warning that you, the reader gets when you open the cover of the book and promise and promise to follow through. What you don’t know is that it will be very hard to keep that promise.

The drawings in this book look hand drawn as if by a child. The lines look as if they have been drawn in crayon on the pale pink background. Throughout the book you are given no background images. It is just you and the pigeon. The book begins with the simple question “Hey! Can I drive the bus?” The pigeon is drawn very sweetly and looks very child-like as he looks at you with one side of his face. You’re answer of course is “No.” Just as the bus driver warned you. The pigeon then starts on his quest of getting you to let him drive the bus. What starts out as a sweet pigeon turns into a tantrum throwing child who just wants to drive the bus. He begins with "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." All of this negotiating ends with a blow up. "LET ME DRIVE THE BUS!!!" in huge lettering that take up most of the page in a final plea to drive the bus.

This book will be extremely relatable to young children but the themes can be felt by any adult that was once a child. Almost everyone at one point in their life has negotiated with a parent or guardian with this much passion. Children might like the idea of getting to be the one who says “No” in this sort of situation. This book can also serve a parent by letting their children know just how frustrating a tantrum, can be.

REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

• Caldecott Medal Award
• Starred review in SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: 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.
• Starred review in BOOKLIST: “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.”

CONNECTIONS

• “I have done this like a million times. It doesn’t work.” -Trent, 2nd Grader
• If you liked this story you may like another of Mo Willem’s books:
• Willems, Mo. DON’T LET THE PIGEON STAY UP LATE. ISBN 0786837462
• Willems, Mo. THE PIGEON NEEDS A BATH. ISBN 1423190874