Don't Let the Pigeon Stay Up Late
By Mo Willems
Hyperion, $12.99
36 pages, ISBN 0786837462

Review by Carol Ann Chybowski

Parents and children want different things from the books they borrow from the library or bring home from the bookstore. Children want to have fun. They want to see something new, feel something new, and share something new. Most of all, they want to be entertained. Parents want their children to learn something from the books they read, a desire that often places them at odds with their children’s’ wants. But what if parents could have books that both entertain and teach? Mo Willems, in three picture books featuring a sassy pigeon, delivers just that.

The latest installment, Don’t Let the Pigeon Stay Up Late, will be familiar to children on many different levels. The author uses the same simple line drawings and creative dialogue that will enchant young readers and parents alike. This time the pigeon lives out every child’s fondest wish -- to be allowed to stay up for just five more minutes. Youngsters will laugh with delight as the pigeon uses every device they have ever tried to be allowed to stay up past bedtime. 

The book opens with the parent leaving the story and telling the young reader that he or she is in charge, and that under no circumstances is that pigeon to stay up past his bedtime. Of course that is exactly what the pigeon wants, and he tries to take advantage of the parent’s absence to get his own way. As the story continues, the pigeon’s pleading becomes rapid fire, and the line drawings shrink down into cartoon style panels. Rather than distracting children, or frustrating them with a sudden jump in text per page, this technique adds to their enjoyment. When all is said and done the pigeon, like any overtired child, falls asleep. The parent returns to the story, sees the pigeon sleeping, and assumes that the young reader has done an excellent job as babysitter. Authority is upheld, but in such a way that children think it is their own idea.

In Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus, Willems introduces a pigeon with a very unique desire. This little guy wants to drive the bus more than anything in the world.  One day the driver leaves on break and the pigeon sees his chance. The pigeon hops onto the driver’s seat and begins pleading to be allowed to drive. But the pigeon does not beg the driver, or any other authority figure in the story. The pigeon addresses the young reader directly, with progressively creative whining that resembles nothing more than a buildup to a giant tantrum. One can almost hear children shouting “No!” to each request. The fun comes to a stop when the bus driver returns from break and shoos the pigeon from the driver’s seat. This story time favorite allows the child to experience tantrums from a position of authority and to act out the role of parent.

The second book in the series, The Pigeon Finds a Hot Dog!, is similar in style to the first. This time however, the pigeon finds a hot dog that he intends to keep all to himself. However, a smaller bird has also spotted the treat and literally angles onto the page to get himself a share. What follows is a hilarious back and forth battle over the hot dog as the smaller bird tries to manipulate the pigeon into sharing. While this storyline is a bit more complex than the first book, it is still suitable for all young readers. Toddlers will again enjoy the line drawings and the snappy dialogue. Older readers, particularly those with younger siblings, will recognize the way the smaller bird manipulates the pigeon. Both age groups will learn a valuable lesson about sharing as they imagine themselves in the pigeon’s place.

Fans of Willems' earlier work will be delighted to find references to them in this latest book. Children will laugh out loud with delight when the pigeon asks to stay up late so he can have a hot dog party. Others have been equally delighted to discover that the pigeon sleeps with a knuffle bunny, the title character in another Willem’s picture book.

Don’t Let the Pigeon Stay Up Late is the perfect book for parents and children to enjoy together.  

Don’t Let the Pigeon Stay Up Late
Mo Willems
Hyperion Books for Children
Hardcover, 36 pages
ISBN # 0786837462

The Pigeon Finds a Hot Dog!
Mo Willems
Hyperion Books for Children
Hardcover, 40 pages
ISBN #0786818697

Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus                   
Mo Willems
Hyperion Books for Children
Hardcover, 36 pages
ISBN # 078681988X

Knuffle Bunny
Mo Willems
Hyperion Books for Children
Hardcover, 40 pages
ISBN # 0786818700