Preschool Storytime Ideas
Pigeons
Here are some ideas to accompany DON’T LET THE PIGEON DRIVE THE BUS, the award-winning book by Mo Willems. These ideas sound perfect for preschool and family storytimes, because the “Pigeon” books have such a wide age appeal – toddlers to parents laugh out loud at the books! Sing “Wheels on the Bus,” of course!
Books
Willems, Mo. DON’T LET THE PIGEON DRIVE THE BUS. (also available in Spanish). DON’T LET THE PIGEON STAY UP LATE! PIGEON FINDS A HOT DOG! The simple cartoon art and dialogue balloons create a storyboard that invites the reader into the book, almost like watching a movie. Also look for the board books starring Pigeon.
Baker, Jeannie. HOME IN THE SKY. The three-dimensional art appears to be done with cut paper and clay, showing a homing pigeon exploring New York City.
Simmons, Steven. PERCY TO THE RESCUE. The sights of London are a main feature of this story about a pigeon who rescues two boys, stuck on a island in the park.
Myers, Christopher. FLY. A lonely young boy befriends an old man who trains pigeons in their urban apartment building.
Macauley, David. ANGELO. A man restoring an old church finds an injured pigeon he names Sylvia, who he nurses back to health.
Freeman, Don. FLY HIGH, FLY LOW. Set in San Francisco, pigeons Sid and Midge must find a new place to nest when the electric sign where they make their home is torn down.
Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus Program Ideas Compiled from PUBYAC:
Teacher’s guide compiled by Judy Freeman.
Celebrate National Hot Dog Month in July:
National Hot Dog Month Planning Guide.
As a prop make red circles with NO! written on them. Glue a popsicle stick as a handle. Read the story, the kids answer the pigeon with their sticks. For a craft you will need toilet paper roll, printer, glue, scissors, something to color with and a piece of paper. Find the template here.
