Mo Willems is the author of groundbreaking picture books,
including; Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Tale (Caldecott Honor winner
2004); Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! (Caldecott Honor winner
2003); Don't Let the Pigeon Stay up Late!; The Pigeon Finds a Hot
Dog!; Time to Say "Please"!; Leonardo, the Terrible Monster;
Edwina, the Dinosaur Who Didn't Know She Was Extinct; and the
Elephant & Piggie books, a new early reader series.
In his previous life, Mo was a six-time Emmy Award-winning writer and animator for Sesame Streetand the creator of Cartoon Network's Sheep in the Big City. He lives with his family in Brooklyn, New York.
same as above
The charming, exasperating pigeon returns, and this time he REALLY
knows what he wants-or at least he thinks he does. As in his
previous outings, he addresses the reader-"I'm fine. Thanks for
asking"-and communicates a wide range of emotions through minimal
words and a few deft pen strokes that brilliantly bring to life his
one-of-a-kind personality. Following his now-familiar routine, the
pigeon throws a tantrum and slyly attempts to manipulate the
reader's (listener's) emotions: "You don't want me to be happy, do
you?...You just don't understand." Be careful what you wish for
might well be the moral of this tale, since the reality of a puppy
turns out to be hilariously larger and more frightening than the
pigeon's or readers' expectations. Even though the pigeon may get
more than he bargained for, his many fans with find they get
exactly what they've come to expect: lots of giggles. Kirkus"
The heart wants what it wants, especially when that heart belongs
to Willems's impetuous Pigeon. In his sixth book, the Pigeon tries
to convince anyone within earshot that he should have a puppy.
Listeners will know it's a bad idea from the get-go, whether
they're already familiar with the bird's comic shtick or
encountering the character for the first time. As in the previous
books, the simple speech-balloon text and minimalist design put the
action squarely in the foreground, demanding attention for the
book's star-who scarcely needs any help in that department. The
Pigeon's direct address ("Oh...I get it. You don't want me to be
happy, do you?") encourages the audience to participate in the
story; his wrong-headed assumptions ("I promise I'll water it once
a month") spur kids to play the grownup. When the Pigeon comes beak
to muzzle with an actual dog, however, it's time to reassess his
dreams...sort of. Willems's feisty friend is as emotive as ever,
and his many fans will enjoy his latest outburst. Horn Book"
The incorrigible bird returns in his fourth full-length romp. This
time, Pigeon voices another common childhood dream: he wants a
puppy. And he wants it NOW. He even promises to take care of it:
"I'll water it once a month." He argues his case so forcefully that
a puppy appears, but it's more than he expects: "The teeth! The
hair! That wet nose!...I mentioned the teeth, right?" So he sets
his sights on a different pet. Kids will love this perfectly paced
picture book, which offers both the expected (breaking the fourth
wall, Pigeon's classic temper tantrum) and a new twist (Pigeon
actually gets what he wants? Impossible!). Willems's hilariously
expressive illustrations and engaging text are cinematic in their
interplay. Maybe kids won't appreciate the genius behind it the way
adults will, but that won't stop them from asking for this book
again and again. SLJ"
Unforgettably introduced in Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!
Willems's id-with-wings reveals that he's wanted a puppy
"forever.... At least since last Tuesday" and swears he's ready to
assume the responsibility of pet ownership ("I promise I'll water
it once a month"). But he soon discovers that reality, well, it
doesn't bite, exactly, but it has daunting teeth-and slobbers.
While Pigeon is still a marvel of visual expression, Willems this
time out has blunted his character's repertoire of persuasive
tactics-and with the pleading dialed down, there's not much else to
enjoy. There aren't enough examples of Pigeon's quick-thinking
tactical maneuvers or the comic punch that comes from the
cumulative onslaught. The core thrill of this series has always
been offering kids the chance to experience pleading from the
parental point of view-and exercise the awesome power to say no.
This time, the response may simply be, "Whatever." PW"
"Children will be charmed by this bedtime treat."
"Like Walt Disney and Charles Schulz before him, Willems
understands the primal power and allure of the circle . . . . The
Pigeon . . . can stand toe-to-ideographic-toe with Mickey Mouse and
Charlie Brown."
"Readers of all ages won't be able to resist miming the sly
conversation in this satisfying sequel."
"Readers will easily recognize themselves in the pigeon, even as
they will delight in sending him to bed."
"Willems's deceptively simple cartoon drawings convincingly portray
his protagonist's emotional dilemma."
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