Module 5/SLIS 5420/September 28th

Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!
by Mo Willems

Bibliography

Willems, M. (2003). Don’t let the pigeon drive the bus. New York: Hyperion Books for Children.
ISBN 0-7868-1988X


Summary
The bus driver asked the reader to watch over his bus while he is gone and make sure that the pigeon does not drive it. The pigeon then enters on the scene and tries to persuade the reader to let him drive the bus in a series of humorous pleas.

My Impression
This is a book I personally would easily overlook based on the cover art and title; but it is written to the audience and I appreciate its participative quality. It has a very short story yet lends itself to several writing curriculum extensions. The simplistic drawings are sure to encourage the budding illustrator to take a chance.

Reviews

From School Library Journal
A brilliantly simple book that is absolutely true to life.. 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 (2003).

From Booklist
Willems finds the preschooler in a pigeon: a cajoling, tantrum-throwing, irresistible bird… the design is refreshingly minimal, focusing always on the pigeon; he's the only image on nearly every earth-toned spread. Willems is a professional animator, and each page has the feel of a perfectly frozen frame of cartoon footage--action, remarkable expression, and wild humor captured with just a few lines. Gillian Engberg

Suggested Activities
Children can create a class book the reinforce school rules writing and illustrating new pigeon sentences, starting with, “Don’t let the pigeon _____ because. . .” For example, “Don’t let the pigeon draw on the desk because we need to respect school property.” Or “Don’t let the pigeon run in the hallway because he could fall and get hurt.”

Write and illustrate sequels such as “Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Ice Cream Truck!” Or relate it to school with such stories as “Don’t let the Pigeon sit in the Principal’s chair!” Using speech bubbles, students can show the pigeon trying to talk his way into being allowed to do whichever activity they choose.

Module 5/SLIS 5420/September 28th

Old Bear
by Kevin Henkes

Bibliography

Henkes, K. (2008). Old bear. United States of America: http://www.harpercollinschildrens.com/
ISBN 978-0-06-155226-9


Summary

Old bear goes to sleep to hibernate for the winter and dreams about the beauty seen within each season until he awakes in the spring.


My Impression

I was surprised to find this was a recently written book because the style and colors used in illustrations resemble that of older works. I like the author’s approach of taking one through the seasons with a mix of true elements and whimsical.

Reviews

From School Library Journal
Henkes cleverly begins his story on the front jacket. Against a backdrop of red leaves and drifting snowflakes, a large and endearing molasses-colored bear, defined by sturdy dark brown lines, strides across the page. His journey continues through the opening spreads: it is obvious that this creature knows exactly where he is heading…Henkes has created a thoroughly delightful character filled with curiosity and sweetness and placed him in a simple tale that unfolds with a natural, rhythmical pace. And to fill out his cyclical story, the artist provides autumnal front endpapers and contrasting vernal back endpapers. Opportunities to introduce the seasons, colors, and animal hibernation abound. Old Bear will enrapture young listeners for years to come.—Barbara Elleman, Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, Amherst, MA

From Booklist
Henkes returns to the artistic style of his Caldecott Medal winner, Kitten’s First Full Moon (2004), and A Good Day (2007) in another picture-book celebration of simple, pure joy…They’ll want to linger over the scenes of Old Bear’s whimsical dreams, rendered in bold outlines and color washes that move with the seasons from pastel spring through icy-blue winter. Young children already know what Old Bear discovers: the lines between imagined and real worlds are blurry, and each place is filled with wonderment. --Gillian Engberg

Suggested Activities

Revisit the text and make a t-chart for which things in the story really happen or can be seen within each season and which are fantasy. (If you are a Texas teacher this goes along with the K-2 TEK of students knowing the difference between fiction and non-fiction, including fact and fantasy).

Use this book as an introduction to explain hibernation. Have students search non-fiction animal texts and create a list of other animals that hibernate.