You may have guessed my favorite children's books come from one particular publisher...wink! But being a teacher, storyteller and of course Mom sends me off looking for books that delight and entertain both my children and myself. It is a very big plus around here when a book can make both the grown ups and kids crack up. This has always been the case with the books of Mo Willems
!We first discovered Mo with his breakthrough Don't let the Pigeon Drive the Bus. A wonderfully energetic and interactive story where the reader/listener is part of the story, stopping the pigeon in question from being naughty! The pigeon stars in more books...our favorite of all being Don't Let the Pigeon Stay up Late! A super bedtime book that gives the kids a taste of the shenanigans they might also pull at bedtime. The pigeon shows up somewhere in almost every book now, he's a sneaky bird, watch out for him!
Mo's sweet tale of Knuffle Bunny (pronounced we are told by Mo as Ka-nuffle) touched us and spoke to us as a family. My now almost 8 year old has clung to his (used to be) blue bunny since he was an infant. Bunny is as much a part of our family as anyone and losing him would be traumatic to say the least. Knuffle Bunny too is a reward to see the child and bunny have matured, of course just as my own bunny lover has done.
As our family is growing up, so is the humor and Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed
did not disappoint. Mo's latest offering had us all giggling.
"There is so much to learn about the fascinating little creatures known as naked mole rats.
But for this story you only need to know three things:
But for this story you only need to know three things:
- They are a little bit rat.
- They are a little bit mole.
- They are all naked."
Of course except for one, Wilbur, who is seeking his individuality. A great read aloud for all ages because who doesn't like jokes about being naked?
This past weekend we attended a reading and signing with Mo and had a blast. He is charming and energetic just like his books! He encourages his young readers to not just read his books but to "play" his books, changing the story, growing the characters and making them their own.
When it comes down to it, that's what makes a Mo Willem's book work for kids. They make a connection. Kids feel like they know the Pigeon, as if he was that kid at the playground that always cuts in line or spins the merry-go-round too fast or eats the last cookie. Saying "NO!" to the Pigeon gives them an opportunity to learn about the greater world through a fantastic one. Thank you Mo for giving kids and parents something to play with.
Lots of fun games and information, too at www.pigeonpresents.com
This past weekend we attended a reading and signing with Mo and had a blast. He is charming and energetic just like his books! He encourages his young readers to not just read his books but to "play" his books, changing the story, growing the characters and making them their own.
When it comes down to it, that's what makes a Mo Willem's book work for kids. They make a connection. Kids feel like they know the Pigeon, as if he was that kid at the playground that always cuts in line or spins the merry-go-round too fast or eats the last cookie. Saying "NO!" to the Pigeon gives them an opportunity to learn about the greater world through a fantastic one. Thank you Mo for giving kids and parents something to play with.
Lots of fun games and information, too at www.pigeonpresents.com
1 comment:
They had an excellent exhibit about Mo Willems at the Eric Carle picture book museum when we visited there a few years ago... It showed how Knuffle Bunny was created from concept to artwork to binding. Such a simple idea but a lot of work went into it!
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