The Pigeon Wants a Puppy!
![]() Front cover, designed by Mo Willems | |
Author | Mo Willems |
---|---|
Illustrator | Mo Willems |
Language | English |
Subject | Children's literature, Picture book |
Published | 2008 (Hyperion Books for Children, New York) |
Publication place | United States |
Media type | Print (hardback, paperback) |
Pages | 36 (unpaginated) |
ISBN | 978-1-4231-0960-0 |
OCLC | 213407281 |
Preceded by | Don't Let the Pigeon Stay Up Late! |
Followed by | The Duckling Gets a Cookie!? |
The Pigeon Wants a Puppy! is a 2008 children's picture book by Mo Willems. Published by Hyperion Books, it is about The Pigeon who really wants a puppy, but later has second thoughts about that idea.
Reception
Booklist, reviewing The Pigeon Wants a Puppy!, wrote "Willems skillfully executes the formula that made previous Pigeon titles so popular: minimal artwork that places all the attention on the cajoling little bird, whose words and body language will strike a chord of familiarity with every child. Once again, kids will reach the story's end wondering what Pigeon will want next."[1] and the School Library Journal wrote "Kids will love this perfectly paced picture book, which offers both the expected (breaking the fourth wall, Pigeon's classic temper tantrum) and a new twist (Pigeon actually gets what he wants? Impossible!). Willems's hilariously expressive illustrations and engaging text are cinematic in their interplay. Maybe kids won't appreciate the genius behind it the way adults will, but that won't stop them from asking for this book again and again."[1]
The Pigeon Wants a Puppy! has also been reviewed by The New York Times,[2] Publishers Weekly,[3] Kirkus Reviews,[4] and The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books.[5]
See also
- Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!
- The Pigeon Finds a Hot Dog!
- Don't Let the Pigeon Stay Up Late!
- The Duckling Gets a Cookie!?
References
- ^ a b "The Pigeon Wants a Puppy!". bepl.ent.sirsi.net. Retrieved April 18, 2017.
- ^ Daniel Handler (April 25, 2012). "Sunday Book Review: Children's Books - When We Last Saw Our Heroes ..." New York Times. Retrieved April 18, 2017.
Willems proves once more that crayoned ornithology and impassioned monologues to the reader — picture, if you possibly can, a production of Eugene O'Neill's "Strange Interlude," directed by Big Bird — can roost indefinitely in literature's rafters. ..
- ^ "The Pigeon Wants a Puppy!". Publishers Weekly. PWxyz LLC. April 7, 2008. Retrieved April 18, 2017.
While Pigeon is still a marvel of visual expression, Willems this time out has blunted his character's repertoire of persuasive tactics and with the pleading dialed down, there's not much else to enjoy. .. The core thrill of this series has always been offering kids the chance to experience pleading from the parental point of view and exercise the awesome power to say no. This time, the response may simply be, Whatever.
- ^ "The Pigeon Wants a Puppy!". Kirkus Media LLC. April 15, 2008. Retrieved April 18, 2017.
As in his previous outings, he [the pigeon] addresses the reader—"I'm fine. Thanks for asking"—and communicates a wide range of emotions through minimal words and a few deft pen strokes that brilliantly bring to life his one-of-a-kind personality. .. Even though the pigeon may get more than he bargained for, his many fans with find they get exactly what they've come to expect: lots of giggles.
- ^ Karen Coats (October 2016). "The Pigeon Wants a Puppy! (review)". Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books. 61 (9). The Johns Hopkins University Press: 405. doi:10.1353/bcc.0.0077. S2CID 144543347. Retrieved April 18, 2017.
This is another hit for our favorite blue daydream believer.