This Is Not My Hat

 

1.Bibliography

Willems, M. (2003). Don't let the pigeon drive the bus! Hyperion Books for Children. 078681988X

2. Plot Summary

A bus driver has to take a break and his one reminder before he leaves is to not let the pigeon drive the bus. Once the bus driver has left, the pigeon begins to ask to drive the bus. After being told no, the pigeon starts to negotiate, beg and even throw a tantrum to let him drive the bus. Once the bus driver returns, the pigeon finds a new mission when a red truck appears.  

3. Critical Analysis

Mo Willems hooks the reader into the story right from the beginning by making them a character. The bus driver asks us to make sure the pigeon doesn’t drive the bus and the pigeon asks us throughout the book if he can drive the bus. Letting us respond as characters gives the reader an interactive experience that makes the story enjoyable. 

The illustrations could be viewed as simple, but they do convey a lot of emotion. This emotion can especially be seen when the pigeon starts to show his anger and throws a tantrum. You see all the different emotions that he is feeling and can relate to these emotions. The pigeon starts to move in different directions and is sitting up, sitting down, laying down to show his emotions with his beak wide open letting the reader know how angry he is. Readers will be able to relate to this emotion by what they have experienced or seen.

4. Review Excerpt(s)

Kirkus- “Turn the page and readers see a close-up of the pigeon, who spends the next 13 well-paced pages begging, pleading, lying, and bribing his way into their hearts. The words “LET ME DRIVE THE BUS!!!” triple in size and leap from the page as the pigeon loses control, flopping across the bottom of the pages. Readers of all ages will nod with recognition of his helplessness and frustration.”

Caldecott Medal Nominee 2004

Flicker Tale Children’s Book Award 2005

Buckaroo Book Award 2004

5. Connections

• Write a story about a time you were told no when you wanted to do something. 

• Create a prediction of what you think would have happened if the pigeon was allowed to drive the bus. 

• Read the other Pigeon books by Mo Willems