Don't let the pigeon stay up late!

The frantic feathered star of Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! and The Pigeon Finds a Hot Dog! (also available from Weston Woods) returns in this enjoyable animated presentation of Mo Willems' picture book (2006), in which the titular character tries to avoid bedtime. The pajama-clad bus driver (voiced by Jon Scieszka) pops up in a silly prologue, asking viewers to resist the sneaky pigeon's persistent pleas. Pigeon (energetically voiced by illustrator and author Willems) offers many reasons why he should stay up late, and an offscreen chorus of giggling elementary-school children shoots down each plea with a resounding "No!" Hilarious sound effects and jubilant background music enhance the action. Pigeon bounces across the screen, ending with an epic yawn, proving he definitely needs some rest. The program animates Willems' simple illustrations (figures and pastel-colored backgrounds), adding such whimsical touches as amusingly shaped constellations. Includes an interview with Willems. Also available in read-along ($29.95) and CD-only ($12.95) versions. Copyright 2011 Booklist Reviews.

The frantic feathered star of Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! and The Pigeon Finds a Hot Dog! (also available from Weston Woods) returns in this enjoyable animated presentation of Mo Willems' picture book (2006), in which the titular character tries to avoid bedtime. The pajama-clad bus driver (voiced by Jon Scieszka) pops up in a silly prologue, asking viewers to resist the sneaky pigeon's persistent pleas. Pigeon (energetically voiced by illustrator and author Willems) offers many reasons why he should stay up late, and an offscreen chorus of giggling elementary-school children shoots down each plea with a resounding "No!" Hilarious sound effects and jubilant background music enhance the action. Pigeon bounces across the screen, ending with an epic yawn, proving he definitely needs some rest. The program animates Willems' simple illustrations (figures and pastel-colored backgrounds), adding such whimsical touches as amusingly shaped constellations. Includes an interview with Willems. Also available in read-along ($29.95) and CD-only ($12.95) versions. Preschool-Kindergarten. Copyright 2019 Booklist Reviews.

PreS-Gr 2—Oh that pigeon—the embodiment of every kid's secret desires. Now he wants to stay up late. The bus driver, in nightcap and pajamas, warns children not to be swayed by the pigeon's arguments. That doesn't stop our plumed persuader from trying to have his way. The book by Mo Willems (Hyperion, 2006) is the third of the popular Pigeon series. In this production, Willems is the pigeon, while Jon Scieszka pops in for a brief stint as the bus driver. The book, while delightful, is very short. To expand it for this production, it has been animated and somewhat augmented with additional illustrations and a tad more text. Be sure to watch the end which goes off on a fun hotdog/bus/bunny tangent. Children's reactions are part of the audio and will encourage young audiences to participate. An interview with the author provides insights and shows him reading the book to a group of children. Subtitles are optional. The book/CD combination would be a great reading center for kindergarten or first-grade classrooms. This delightful production will have viewers giggling even as they begin to yawn.—Teresa Bateman, Brigadoon Elementary School, Federal Way, WA [Page 61]. (c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.