Summary

When the bus driver has to leave for a bit, he makes one request, "Don’t let the Pigeon drive the bus." The Pigeon tries every tactic familiar to preschoolers and parents. The request is honored, the driver returns, and the Pigeon is dejected. But wait — is that a semi coming down the street?

Activities

1. Download and color the Pigeon Coloring Sheet (pdf). Prepare a display for your room.

2. Discuss: Why shouldn’t the Pigeon drive the bus?

3. Count how many arguments Pigeon uses for his getting to drive the bus.

4. Follow the directions from Mo Willems to make your own picture of the Pigeon (pdf).

5. Two books Mo Willems has written are this one named Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus and Don’t Let the Pigeon Stay Up Late. What else might the Pigeon want to do that he shouldn’t? Make up a story of your own.

6. Imagine that Mo Willems is thinking of writing a book named Don’t let the Pigeon Eat All the Candy. What would Pigeon say to try to get his way?

7. Sing The Wheels On the Bus.

8. Find out what each of these big-time words means. How does each fit Pigeon?
   
   • cajoling
   • argument
   • tantrum
   • overbearing
   • persistent

9. The Pigeon Finds a Hot Dog! is a sequel to Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!. Find out what a sequel is. Can you make up a sequel to tell?

10. Read another book about the Pigeon:
• Don’t Let the Pigeon Stay Up Late!
• The Pigeon Finds a Hot Dog!
• The Pigeon Has Feelings, Too (board book)
• The Pigeon Loves Things That Go (board book)
• No Dejes Que La Paloma Conduzca El Autobus! (Lectorum Publications, 2006)

About the Author

• Mo Willems Bio

• A Conversation with Mo Willems by Scholastic’s Parent & Child Magazine

• Interview with Mo Willems for Edge of the Forest

• Getting To Know Mo by Time for Kids

• Mo Willems interview by RIF

• Teaching Pre K-8 author interview

• USA Today article 5/8/2006

• BCCB: Rising Star—Mo Willems

Awards

• Caldecott Honor Book, 2004
• ALA Notable Book, 2004
• CCBC Cboices, 2004
• Kentucky Bluegrass Award Winner K-2, 2005
• Golden Archer Award Winner Primary, 2005 (Wisconsin)
• Maine Red Clover Award Winner, 2005
• South Carolina Picture Book Award Winner, 2005-2006

Related books

• Shannon, D. (2002). Duck on a bike. Blue Sky Press. grades preschool-3

More for the teacher

• Explore Mo Willems official website.

• Help advanced readers prepare the Sesame Street script as a Readers Theater.
  The Wubba Wubba Song is the chorus of Monster in the Mirror. Download song or lyrics only or select other songs to substitute.

• Check if the touring show will be in your area, and if not, consider talking with your local youth theater or other youth group about booking it.

Link to Hyperion teacher guide for Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus (pdf).

Assessment

Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus. Accelerated Reader: Quiz #72788EN; Book Level 0.9; Points= 0.5
Book Adventure (Sylvan): Quiz Level 2
Reading Counts: Reading Level 1.0; Points= 1.0
Lexile Level 120L
Guided Reading Level J
word count= 125