THE PIGEON WANTS A PUPPY! By: Mo Willems

Bibliography
Willems, Mo. 2008. THE PIGEON WANTS A PUPPY! Ill. by Mo Willems. New York, NY: Hyperion Books for Children. ISBN 1423109600

Plot Summary
Mo Willems tells a story about a pigeon that really wants a puppy. He goes from telling how he wants a puppy to describing how he will take care of it. Finally, when the pigeon is confronted with a real puppy he gets scared and changes his mind.

Critical Analysis
Willems uses a conversation type narrative by having the pigeon speak directly to the readers. He uses short sentences, exclamation points, and sentences in all capital letters to show emotion in his writing. He also uses questions and cues (ie his discussion of how to care for the puppy) to allow readers to respond and/or guess what is going to happen next. By using these methods the author is able to convey meaning and emotion and gain reader interaction through text.

Willems's simple drawings are fun and imaginative. He uses text bubbles, facial expressions, gestures, and color to convey emotions throughout the book. This method correlates with the text and help sthe reader truely understand the emotions that he wants to convey. It is also interesting that the author/illustrator made good use of the endpages by having the beginning show shipping boxes that show the pigeon getting a dog and the end showing shipping boxes that show a walrus (the pigeon's new choice for a pet).

Overall, this is a well-written book that engages the reader in pigeon's pursuit of a puppy where the marriage of text and illustration form a complete vision.

Review Excerpts
BOOKLIST: "Once again, kids will reach the story's end wondering what Pigeon will want next."
100 SCOPE NOTES: "An outstanding example of humor, story, and illustration all working together."
Starred review in SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: "Willems hilariously expressive illustrations and engaging text are cinematic in their interplay."

Connections
*You can discuss Mo Willems and compare him to other illustrators that convey emotion through color
*Compare/contrast simple illustrations and ones that are very detailed (ie Mo Willems and Chris Van Allsburg) and discuss which method is better or when you would use detailed illustrations versus simple illustrations.
*Gather several of the Pigeon books. Have students look through Pigeon's different adventures. Then have them create a character and have them write/illustrate an adventure for their character.
*Related Books
Willems, Mo. DON'T LET THE PIGEON DRIVE THE BUS. ISBN 078681988X
Willems, Mo. DON'T LET THE PIGEON STAY UP LATE. ISBN 0786837462