Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!

Tipping a hat to Mo Willems, who wrote "Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!"

I believe in the power of titles. A good title can hook you on a piece of writing; a good title can even paper over little flaws. To me, some of the most-potent titles are: "Kitten's First Full Moon," "Sex and the City" (so much stronger than "AJLT," the sequel's title), "Open Secrets," "Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant.," "Murder on the Orient Express."

It seems to me that "Don't Let the Pigeon Drive Bus!" is a title that deserves to be in the Title Hall of Fame.

We meet a driver, who urges us to prevent a pigeon from attempting to drive.

Then the pigeon arrives. He wines and dines, flirts and barters. He says he'll just steer. He has a cousin who drives, and that cousin is fine. The pigeon pouts and uses all-or-nothing language ("I never get to do ANYTHING!") He attempts a trick. He offers to do "just one trip around the block."

The pigeon uses a version of peer pressure -- "I bet your mom would let me" -- and finally he just screams, "LET ME DRIVE!" His dreams are thwarted, but not for long; as soon as the pigeon watches the bus drive away, another vehicle, a massive truck, arrives on the scene.

The End.

I think any kid can immediately see himself in the pigeon. And I like the pacing; not a word is wasted. I'm crazy about this book.

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