The Pigeon Wants A Puppy!

Written and Illustrated by: Mo Willems

Recommended for: Children Ages 4-8 years old

Theme: Fiction

Summary:

     Pidgeon very enthusiastically describes how very badly he wants a pet puppy of his very own. He describes all the fun activities that he could enjoy if only he had a puppy of his very own, like: riding on it's back. That is until he actually comes face to face with a real live puppy and quickly changes his mind to really wanting a walrus of his very own.

     Children would enjoy in Preschool and Kindergarten will really enjoy this story because they can identify with the pigeon's enthusiasm for puppies. They will also enjoy identifying the pidgeon's misconceptions about having a puppy and pointing them out as you read. The children will enjoy the simple vocabulary that will allow them to read this book independently as they get into grades 1 and 2.

Suggestions for the Classroom:

     This would be an excellent book to use with children when discussing the difference between wants and needs. It is a wonderful example for children of taking time to decide if a pet woud be the best fit for your home, before you do get it home. It allows for wonderful conversation about what types of responsibilities are involved with caring for a pet.

*Pre-Reading Activities: Create a web with students using what it is that they know about puppies to activate their prior knowledge (schema). Show the students the cover of the book and ask them to predict what it could be about.

* During Reading: Give students opportunities to comment on Pigeon's reasons for wanting a puppy. What would happen if the Pidgeon did ride a puppy?

* Post-Reading Activities: Introduce the students to a picture of a Walrus. Ask the students if they think that a walrus would make a good pet for Pidgeon? Record their answers in a new web. Give the students a chance to pretend that they are Pidgeon and to write a journal entry about a pet that they want, complete with at least one reason why they want that pet and a picture.

About the Author:

     Mo Willems has had a successful career in writing and animating children's television shows: Sesame Street, Codename:Kids Next Door. He has written and illustrated several popular children's literature series which include popular character such as: Pigeon, Elephant and Piggy ans Knuffle Bunny. He also enjoys creating and showcasing his art peices and occasionally gueststars on NPR Radio. He maintatins his own website, complete with a blog and games for children to pay.