The Pigeon Wants a Puppy!

The Pigeon is back and up to his usual shenanigans! This time the pigeon desperately wants a pet puppy and is willing to beg, wheedle, manipulate, and melt down with the best of them to get his way. But when he sees a dog up close, he's terrified by its sheer size!

Once again, Mo Willems has written a hit. This is an exciting and fun book to read, and kids are highly entertained and amused by it. This is one I often bring with me anytime I know toddlers, preschoolers, or elementary school aged children will be in presence, and they all always love it and ask to hear it again! The older ones also enjoy taking a turn at reading it aloud themselves.

Although still a great book by Willems it has to be my least favorite of the pigeon book, but not really by much. In this book pigeon wants a puppy, then changes his mind and wants a walrus. The pigeon is still his usual character self but the plot does not seem very much pigeon like. He is still argumentative and defensive offering the reader to be interactive with the book but it is lacking the absurdity and humor of other pigeon books. If I were doing a collection of the pigeon books I think I would choose to leave this one out because it does not perfectly fit the mold of the others.

Pigeon wants a puppy.
Pigeon wants to drive a bus.
Pigeon wants to eat a whole hot dog.
Pigeon wants to stay up late.

Well, Pigeon wants a lot of stuff now, doesn't he? Pigeon has a large sense of entitlement now, doesn't he? Well, we want Pigeon to be happy now, don't we? We can't deny him anything now, can we? Would that break his little bird-heart to be told every now and then that he should have to work in order to get good things?

Wow. Pigeon is one self-entitled bird. I'm not certain if books like these are the right thing to be giving children. Actually, I'm fairly certain that they aren't. Pigeon realizes the gravity of his mistake only after guilt tripping the reader into getting him a puppy and then immediately latches on to the show more next "fad."

It's things like this and Elmo that are turning our anklebiters into annoying needy creatures.

Man. show less

Pigeon really wants a puppy but he quickly discovers that puppies are kind of scary and a lot of work in this amusing picture book from the fabulous Mo Willems. This book really captured the attention of kids and caregivers in Storytime.

I dunno. Nothing wrong with it, and of course if you're a fan of Mo Willems you must borrow it from your library... but just not one of his best, imo. I guess because the basic theme has been done *so* *often*....
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Reread. Ok, the twist strikes me harder this time. Be careful what you wish for! I love that Willems shows little kids that they can be smarter than a character who is basically their peer. Raising my rating from three to four stars.

This is great as an interactive read aloud for primary kids. As in other Pigeon books, kids know something unexpected awaits, and they are not disappointed. As for the greatest strength, it’s a tough call! The uncomplicated text is so precise in expressing the character and nature of pigeon. And, the simple kid-like illustrations are so expressive the reader is readily drawn into pigeon’s world.

A household favorite author! Mo Willems is exceptional with his illustrations and silly, engaging stories. The persistent Pigeon brings forth so much humor and keeps the readers hooked from start to finish. His pricutres are simple, but very expressive with such fun colors to draw the kids in. It's such a fun, relatable book that children love and parents enjoy too! His books can also help create discussions on responsibility and determination.