Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!

( 106 )

Overview

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.

A 2004 Caldecott Honor Book

...
See more details below
Hardcover
$9.99
BN.com price
(Save 37%)$15.99 List Price
Pick Up In Store

Pick Up in Store

Reserve and pick up in 60 minutes at your local store

Other sellers (Hardcover)
  • All (35) from $2.62   
  • New (20) from $9.49   
  • Used (15) from $2.62   
Note: Kids' Club Eligible. See More Details.
Sending request ...

More About This Book

Overview

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.

A 2004 Caldecott Honor Book

Read More Show Less

Editorial Reviews

Publishers Weekly
The premise of this cheeky debut is charmingly absurd. When a bus driver goes on break, he asks the audience to keep an eye on his vehicle and the daft, bug-eyed pigeon who desperately wants to drive it. The pigeon then relentlessly begs readers for some time behind the wheel: "I tell you what: I'll just steer. My cousin Herb drives a bus almost every day! True story." Willems hooks his audience quickly with the pigeon-to-reader approach and minimalist cartoons. The bluish-gray bird, outlined in black crayon, expresses countless, amusing emotions through tiny shifts in eye movement or wing position. The plucky star peeks in from the left side of a page, and exhibits an array of pleading strategies against window-pane panels in mauve, salmon and willow ("I'll be your best friend," he says wide-eyed in one, and whispers behind a wing, "How 'bout I give you five bucks?"). Finally he erupts in a full-spread tantrum on an orange background, the text outlined in electric yellow ("Let me drive the bus!!!"). When the driver returns and takes off, the bird slumps dejectedly until a big red truck inspires a new round of motoring fantasies. Readers will likely find satisfaction in this whimsical show of emotions and, perhaps, a bit of self-recognition. Ages 2-6. (Apr.) Copyright 2003 Cahners Business Information.
Children's Literature
In this picture book with simple pictures and lots of empty space, a cute blue pigeon begs the reader to let him drive the bus while the bus driver is gone. He implores, promises, whines, begs, bribes (like I don't get enough of this from my kids) in order to get his chance. He says things like, "I bet your mom would let me" or "I have dreams you know." This could actually be a sad book (hey, I was always the kid who wanted the Trix rabbit to actually get some Trix) except for the last two pages. After the bus drives off leaving the pigeon looking dejected, a semi drives up, the pigeon looks at it, and says, "Hey..., and the end papers of the book have the pigeon smiling, eyes closed as he envisions himself driving a semi. Nice touch. 2003, Hyperion Books, Ages 5 to 7.
— Sharon Levin
School Library Journal
PreS-Gr 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.
School Library Journal
PreS-Gr 2—Take a multiple award-winning book (Hyperion, 2003) written and illustrated by Mo Willems, add the author's and Jon Scieszka's voices, Peter List's animation, and Scotty Huff's lively jazz music, and the result is a tremendously captivating film. The well-loved tale of a pigeon who dreams of driving a bus, and who pleads and cajoles for the opportunity, is brought to life. The DVD opens with a choice of a Karaoke version, or one in which youngsters supply a resounding "NO!" in response to Pigeon's unrelenting bargaining to be allowed to drive the bus. Read-along subtitles, in which the words are highlighted as they are spoken, are optional. Each version opens with extra scenes of Pigeon driving a bus and delighting in the havoc he wreaks along the route. A jazzy beat sets the lively tempo of the scenes, and crazy cartoon sound effects add even more humor to Pigeon's crazy antics. The pages have been fully animated; Pigeon's expressions after each denial are priceless, and the framing of the simple bird on blank pastel pages makes his reactions even more effective. As credits roll, Pigeon and the driver discuss bus models and Pigeon's inability to actually drive. In the bonus interview, Willems offers background for the story and shows highlights of his visit with first-graders. He also teaches the children to draw Pigeon, since he thinks that books should be objects of play and doorways to creativity. Pigeon and Willems will enchant viewers.—MaryAnn Karre, Horace Mann Elementary School, Binghamton, NY
Kirkus Reviews
This cinematic adventure, with its simple retro-cartoonish drawings, begins on the opening endpapers when a pale blue pigeon dreams of driving a bus. On the title page, the profile of the strong-jawed bus driver notes in a word bubble that he has to leave for a little while and requests that the reader watch things for him. "Oh and remember: "Don’t let the Pigeon Drive the Bus." The text is a handwritten, typewriter-like hand in white word bubbles set on a background of neutral tones of lavender, salmon, celadon, and beige. With the bus in the reader’s care, the bus driver nonchalantly strolls away. Turn the page and readers see a close-up of the pigeon, who spends the next 13 well-paced pages begging, pleading, lying, and bribing his way into their hearts. The words "LET ME DRIVE THE BUS!!!" triple in size and leap from the page as the pigeon loses control, flopping across the bottom of the pages. Readers of all ages will nod with recognition of his helplessness and frustration. The bus driver returns, thanks the readers, and drives away, leaving the pigeon with his head hanging in sadness. And just like any young person, he’s quickly distracted from his disappointment when a huge truck tire zooms into view. In the end, the pigeon dreams of driving the big red tractor-trailer truck. A first picture book by an Emmy Award–winning writer and animator, listeners will be begging, pleading, lying, and bribing to hear it again and again. (Picture book. 3-5)
Children's Literature
When a Caldecott Honor Book comes alive with the voices of two of today's most prominent children's authors, the publisher has a winner on its hands. Scieszka plays the bus driver and Willems plays the pigeon, and a wonderful horn section imitates the audience reaction to the pigeon's begging and pleading. Other noises, like rumbling trucks and joyous jazz, express the emotions and other action played out in the text. The pacing of the narration is good and since the pages are so sparse, the music and narration are as well, never overshadowing the book in the hands of the reader. The most enjoyable spread is, of course, the pigeon's temper tantrum, with suggested bribes and pouting followed by angry yelling and winded silence. Willems makes a wonderful pigeon and children will delight in hearing his interpretation. An author interview is included in the recording and is just as entertaining as the text. Willems explains how he wants children to use the pigeon for their own stories and learn to create on their own. This is a must for library collections everywhere. Reviewer: Tiffany Erickson
Read More Show Less

Product Details

  • ISBN-13: 9780786819881
  • Publisher: Disney-Hyperion
  • Publication date: 4/1/2003
  • Series: Pigeon Series
  • Pages: 36
  • Sales rank: 40
  • Age range: 3 - 5 Years
  • Lexile: 120L (what's this?)
  • Product dimensions: 9.25 (w) x 9.25 (h) x 0.50 (d)

Meet the Author

Mo Willems
Mo Willems
Mo Willems, a number one New York Times best-selling author and illustrator, has been awarded a Caldecott Honor on three occasions (for Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!, Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Tale, and Knuffle Bunny Too: A Case of Mistaken Identity). Other favorites include Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed and Leonardo, the Terrible Monster. Mo began his career on Sesame Street, where he garnered six Emmy Awards. Visit Mo on the web at www.pigeonpresents.com.
Read More Show Less

Customer Reviews

Average Rating 4.5
( 106 )
Rating Distribution

5 Star

(76)

4 Star

(13)

3 Star

(11)

2 Star

(6)

1 Star

(0)
See All Sort by: Showing 1 – 20 of 106 Customer Reviews

  • Anonymous

    Posted Wed Dec 17 00:00:00 EST 2008

    A fun book to read

    this book is one of my 3 year old's favorites. We have so much fun reading it together. He gets a kick out of telling Pigeon "No" after every attempt he makes to try and convince you to let him drive the bus. It is a lot of fun to read with your child and act out the emotions.

    5 out of 5 people found this review helpful.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Posted Tue Mar 31 00:00:00 EDT 2009

    I Also Recommend:

    Don't Let the Pigeon Stay Up Late!

    A Fun Read!

    I originally heard this story in my college course. It was a elementary education course in teaching language arts and at the start of each class our professor would read to us as if we were children. We all thought it was adorable and fit for young children. Its simple illustrations simply came alive with the book's main character the pigeon! I thought to myself how I would love to have it in my future classroom but first I must get passed the real test...my three year old daughter! Needless to say after reading it once to her during bedtime, she was hooked! In fact during her show and tell at school, she demanded that this book be her choice to show to her friends!

    3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Posted Wed Jun 17 00:00:00 EDT 2009

    A Fun Read Aloud Story

    Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! is an engaging interactive read aloud story. The bus driver talks directly to the audience and tells them not to let the pigeon drive the bus. The children will answer "no" to the pigeon's pleas to drive the bus as you read along. The story is funny and the pictures are simple yet captivating for young children. Ages 3-6.

    2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted Sun Apr 01 00:00:00 EDT 2012

    I've read this book (with FULL expression for the temper tantrum

    I've read this book (with FULL expression for the temper tantrum) to my first graders. They delighted in the book, and it is always (no hyperbole) always the first book they pick when we have free reading time. It has proven motivational for my students who are finding learning to read difficult - they will persist and work their way through this book as no other. It's a winner! (Thanks, Mr. Willems, for making my job just a little easier and a lot more fun!)

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Posted Thu Nov 04 00:00:00 EDT 2010

    more from this reviewer

    LoL!

    Pigeon goes on and on trying to persuade the reader to let him drive the bus, like so: "I tell you what: I'll just steer", "Hey, I've got an idea. Let's play `Drive the Bus'. I'll go first". And the kids get to say . NO! That makes them feel superior, grown up, and responsible (since the bus driver asks everyone not to let the pigeon drive the bus while he is away). It almost lets kids to be parents for a while! And they love it. Nothing can be more entertaining to the little ones as to boss around the poor pigeon, while they learn how to say no to manipulating and may be . even may be... recognize themselves in a fussy pigeon.
    Besides great interaction with reader, this small book is full of fun and deceptively simple artwork that looks like it was drawn by the kids themselves. But don't let the simplicity fool you - the pigeon's eyes are drawn very expressively and full of emotion, which only more delightful to the readers. Large letters are great for preschoolers to let them learn letters and new words.

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Posted Sat Feb 20 00:00:00 EST 2010

    I Also Recommend:

    The Pigeon Finds a Hot Dog!

    So Cute

    My 7 year old neice loves the Pigeon books. This one is cute, not as good as the hotdog one, but good.

    1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Posted Wed Nov 11 00:00:00 EST 2009

    I Also Recommend:

    I Will Surprise My Friend! (Elephant and Piggie Series)
    Watch Me Throw the Ball! (Elephant and Piggie Series)
    Are You Ready to Play Outside? (Elephant and Piggie Series)
    I Love My New Toy! (Elephant and Piggie Series)
    Pigs Make Me Sneeze! (Elephant and Piggie Series)

    Laugh out loud!

    What a fun book to share with your little one! He will enjoy shouting "no!" in a playful way in this adorable story and will want to read it again and again.

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Posted Mon Mar 09 00:00:00 EDT 2009

    Engaging and Funny

    My 2 and 3-year-old grandchildren love this book. It captures their attention, makes them laugh out loud and provides a wonderful source of play-acting -- they love to act out the story of the hapless pigeon who so desperately wants a chance to drive that bus!

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted Thu Apr 25 00:00:00 EDT 2013

    We like this book because it had lots of details and silly and f

    We like this book because it had lots of details and silly and funny things. This book inspired us to write books like this on our own. You should read this book because it has very funny things and makes people laugh a lot.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted Fri Mar 01 00:00:00 EST 2013

    A good reality check for kids

    Interesting idea, good for kids who are eager to try things beyond their capabilities. But I'd be careful giving it to a child who has self confidence issues.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Posted Wed Jan 16 00:00:00 EST 2013

    Both my 5 year old son and I love the pigeon books! We love read

    Both my 5 year old son and I love the pigeon books! We love reading them together, and he finds so much enjoyment in telling Pigeon 'NO!'

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Posted Fri Jan 11 00:00:00 EST 2013

    more from this reviewer

    Hurrah for Pigeon!

    We cannot get enough of Pigeon's adventures, and this was a great start to them all. (We're also delighted every time Pigeon shows up in the Elephant and Piggie books.) Mo Williams is a family favorite -- a kid and adult pleaser at the same time.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Posted Fri Jan 04 00:00:00 EST 2013

    more from this reviewer

    Fun for toddlers

    Lots of repetition, perfect for toddlers.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Posted Wed Sep 05 00:00:00 EDT 2012

    A huge hit!

    When I received it (mail order) I thought it might be a little too simple, and wouldn't hold a child's interest. However my 2 1/2 year old granddaughter absolutely loves it - we've been reading it constantly, and now she sees buses and screams "don't let the pigeon drive the bus!" The build-up to the poor pigeon's melt-down moment gets her every time. Strongly recommend this for very young children.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Posted Mon Jul 02 00:00:00 EDT 2012

    Great book for kids to read aloud

    Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! is a great read aloud story for you and your kids. Mo Willems is great at creating an interactive story for parents and children who want to read together.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Posted Sun Jun 24 00:00:00 EDT 2012

    Great fun!

    This book allows the child to yell out commands to the Pigeon. Pigeon uses every tactic known to children to get his way....even a full blown tantrum! My 4 year old grandson loves this one!

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Posted Thu Apr 26 00:00:00 EDT 2012

    I love the pigeon books because my daughter can read them to me.

    I love the pigeon books because my daughter can read them to me. And she loves them because of the pigeon's reactions in the book.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Posted Sun Apr 08 00:00:00 EDT 2012

    Our Favorite !!

    Mo Willems is a genius !!! My daughter LOVEs all his pigeon books and the Gerald & Piggy books ... very funny & easy to read !!

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted Thu Dec 15 00:00:00 EST 2011

    Simple, but AMAZING!

    I'm a nanny and my little ones LOVE this book. The 3 year old loves telling the pigeon "no" after he persistently asks to drive the bus. The 6 year old is able to read it, so it is a perfect choice for both ages. (And I have to admit its one of my favorite kids' books!) Its also a great length: not too short and not so long that kids (and I) start to get a little distracted.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Posted Wed Aug 17 00:00:00 EDT 2011

    Please make "Pigeon" a NookBook

    I was in Barnes & Noble yesterday and one of the workers at the information desk told me that there is an option you can select to ask to make a book a Nook Book. If there are enough requests "Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus" will be made into an eBook.
    In my senior year of college my children's literature teacher read this book to our class and it was fantastic. Making "Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus" into an eBook for children will make it even more delightful, so please ... send in a request to make this wonderful book an eBook so children readers can enjoy it as much as I did when it was read aloud.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.
See All Sort by: Showing 1 – 20 of 106 Customer Reviews
If you find inappropriate content, please report it to Barnes & Noble
Why is this product inappropriate?
Comments (optional)