The Pigeon Has Feelings, Too!

Pigeon #4

by Mo Willems

How does it feel to be a Pigeon? Well, the bus driver is trying to get him to act happy, but as we all know, this is one bird that is not going to be told what to do! Throughout this hilarious board book, Pigeon runs through his signature gamut of emotions while attempting to thwart his old nemesis.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Animals, Fiction, Humor, Emotion, Birds

12 pages, Board Book

First published May 25, 2005

About the author

#1 New York Times Bestselling author and illustrator Mo Willems is best known for his Caldecott Honor winning picture books Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus and Knuffle Bunny: a cautionary tale.

In addition to such picture books as Leonardo the Terrible Monster, Edwina the Dinosaur Who Didn’t Know She Was Extinct, and Time to Pee, Mo has created the Elephant and Piggie books, a series of early readers, and published You Can Never Find a Rickshaw When it Monsoons, an annotated cartoon journal sketched during a year-long voyage around the world in 1990-91.

The New York Times Book Review called Mo “the biggest new talent to emerge thus far in the 00's."

Mo’s work books have been translated into a myriad of languages, spawned animated shorts and theatrical musical productions, and his illustrations, wire sculpture, and carved ceramics have been exhibited in galleries and museums across the nation.

Mo began his career as a writer and animator for television, garnering 6 Emmy awards for his writing on Sesame Street, creating Nickelodeon's The Off-Beats, Cartoon Network’s Sheep in the Big City and head-writing Codename: Kids Next Door.

He lives in Brooklyn, New York with his family.

Reviews

[Sophia Triad · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute, but not as funny as the other Pigeon Books. I think it was my least favourite. Maybe because based on the title I was expecting too much from this book.
The pigeon expresses a range of emotions until he is finally happy. But he is not really satisfied that he is happy.
It looks as if he was tricked to be happy in the end and I am not sure that I liked that.
Not a happy ending for me.

[Ronyell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Man, how many “Pigeon” books are out there? It does not matter, because I have been enjoying almost all of the “Pigeon” books so far and I am so glad to find another “Pigeon” book called “The Pigeon Has Feelings, Too!” which happens to be in…BOARD BOOK FORMAT!

“Hey, Pigeon, why don’t you show everybody your HAPPY face?”

“Never.”

This is the opening statement of the book as it shows that the bus driver is trying to get the Pigeon to show his emotions to the readers. But, as usual, the Pigeon gives the readers reasons about why he refuses to show his emotions. But for anyone who has read the previous “Pigeon” series, we all know what is going to happen in the end…

Wow! Now, I will admit that when I picked up this book and it was in a board book format, I was a little surprised since this was the first time that I had read a “Pigeon” series in another format besides hardback. The board book format provided an interesting way to read this book as the story was much shorter than what your average “Pigeon” book usually is and it managed to convey some emotions that are felt by children and adults while providing some snarky humor to go along with it! Mo Willems has done a brilliant job at instilling humor in this book as the Pigeon is as funny as ever as he still tries to go against the bus driver’s wishes (despite the fact that it is quite obvious that he is showing many different emotions such as anger and happiness). Mo Willems’ artwork is as cute as ever, as we see images of the Pigeon showing various emotions throughout the book such as being sad and being angry. I especially love the images where the Pigeon waves his wings around frantically whenever he was angry since it was so hilarious to look at!

For anyone who is familiar with Mo Willems’ “Pigeon” series, you might be a bit disappointed that this book is extremely short compared to the other “Pigeon” books. It did seem like we were not getting enough story with this book as the pigeon only explored three emotions and I would have liked to see the Pigeon explore more emotions like “tired,” “excited” and “scared.”

Overall, “The Pigeon Has Feelings, Too!” is a cute and short little book that details the emotions that both children and adults feel and it is definitely a hilarious classic for both children and adults!

Review is also on: Rabbit Ears Book Blog

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Neo picked up this board book, as it was all about Pigeon. In this short book, the bus driver tries to get his feathered friend to show off his happy face. However, Pigeon is not one to fall for the antics of others and does everything he can to stop it, but is not always successful. Neo sped through this one, knowing it was geared more for little kids. But, with Mo Willems and the pigeon in play, anything can happen.

[midnightfaerie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute short board book that delighted both my 5 yr old and my twin 3 yr olds. The only bad thing about it was that it was too short. A wonderful story that encourages expressing feelings, we had fun making our own happy and sad and angry faces along with the characters/pigeon in the book. A great read and fun for the whole family.

[Renee Alberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

the bus driver: "Hey, Pigeon, why don't you show everybody your happy face?"

pigeon: "Never."

[Alicia Evans · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pigeon has feelings, but they seem to feel anger and frustration the strongest. I thought the book was cute, but it doesn't really cover multiple emotions. The book is just played as a funny addition to what we already know about the Pigeon, so it was enjoyable, but it isn't something I would use for discussing emotions.

For: fans of the Pigeon books; readers looking for a basic feelings book that doesn't go too in depth.

Possible red flags: some may feel that the book doesn't cover enough; anger/pouting.

[Connie T. · Rating 1 out of 5]

This short book starts with the bus driver telling the pigeon to show everyone his happy face. His response? "Never. Why should I? Do I get on your bus and tell you how to drive?" This just rubs me the wrong way. I was hoping for a simple book that discusses feelings, instead we're offered a nasty/ snarky attitude that doesn't get much better. It doesn't set a good example, doesn't talk about how to handle your feelings and isn't even funny. Don't bother reading this one.

[Brenda · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5

“Hey, Pigeon, why don’t you show everybody your HAPPY face?”

“Never.”

[Miri Gifford · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not my favorite of the Pigeon books (so it only gets four stars). But still fantastic Pigeonry. Mostly I think it just felt a little contrived for the purpose of showing Pigeon's feelings, but who cares, right? It's the Pigeon!

[Becky B · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Pigeon gets on the bus and takes offense when the bus driver asks him to show his happy face. Pigeon then proceeds through a whole range of emotions in the following discussion.

Ahh, Pigeon, there are definitely times when adults would like the freedom to express their emotions and thoughts about others' demands of them just as freely. Not my favorite Pigeon book, but it brought a smile to my face.

[Kris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another board book that my sister Karen had on her to-read list. This one was actually more enjoyable than the first one I read; it has more of the humor I love in Willems' books, and the Pigeon is a fuller character here, too. The bus driver uses tricky tricks to get the pigeon to show his happy face to the readers. Very cute, very entertaining.

[Heidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Age: 1 year; Board book
I love how it provides a story that accompanies the emotions appropriately, with opportunity for funny voices in a way that strangely, seems adult and toddler all at the same time.

[Eli Millette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mo Willems has a knack for being able to speak to the emotional experience of children in a light and funny way. This book, about stubbornness, is little a knock knock joke where the punchline is quality literature.
Would pair well with Grumpy Monkey and a quick lil shot of the Captain.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another cute pigeon book by Mo Willems. He's an artist my children love.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

This pigeon reminds me of myself.

[eleanor :) · Rating 5 out of 5]

NO COMPLAINTS 🤩🤩 10/10 🤪

[Ali Book&Seaglasshunter · Rating 2 out of 5]

Bleck. I guess I will never understand the cult following of these books. My kids usually think they are funny at least but this one is just not. The bus driver tries to convince the pigeon to show a happy face, and he instigated about every emotion from the pigeon before tricking him into showing happiness. Not a fan.

[Jamie Jessup · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very short addition to the pigeon series by Mo Willems. With only a few pages, I thought this book was a little bit lacking and could have expanded more on the different emotions. We see the pigeon angry, sad, and happy, but not really anything else. I think the book would be easy for beginner readers to finish, and it could help readers understand important details in the book (How can you tell the pigeon is happy? How can you tell the pigeon is sad?). The overall theme of the book was cute, but like I said before I think the author could have added a little more substance to introduce how the pigeon shows different emotions and what causes them. What would have really been interesting would be the pigeon explaining how different scenarios from the other books (finding a hot dog, not being able to drive the bus) made him feel. I would use this book as a read-aloud for pre-k or kindergarten.

[Shamaa Farah · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is the cute story of how the bus driver “tricks” the pigeon into showing his happy face. The pigeon doesn't want to show his happy face and is upset and shows the bus driver his angry and sad faces before finally revealing his happy face when the driver tells him he doesn't have to. This is a good message for children that it is okay to have different emotions and to feel different things they don't always have to be happy it is okay to be mad or sad sometimes. This book also can show readers that once they are not pushed to show their emotions that's when they feel more inclined to share them because it is not forced and people should have patience with other people's emotions and feelings.

[Britney · Rating 4 out of 5]

1.) The Pigeon Has Feelings, Too!
2.) Social Emotional Skill Taught: The skills being taught here are caring, compassion and empathy for others.
3.) I would use this book to help children not be so egocentric and to care about others in certain situations. I would also use this book to teach compassion for others in their time of need. In this book the pigeon is on the bus in an unhappy mood and the bus driver does things to cheer the pigeon up and I feel that that is wonderful. This book would be perfect for children who are arguing or who are going through the "mine" phase because it will show them that other people have feelings too.

[Nikki in Niagara · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's been a while since I read Mo Willems. I just love his books! This one is a board book written in speech bubbles. Pigeon and the Bus Driver (from the first book) star in this one and Pigeon goes through the gamut of emotions, teaching youngsters the natural feelings they will experience. Of course, the ending has pigeon being the one to realize he's been had. Very simple as expected for a board book so not as quality as his longer length books, but still adorable for the intended audience and beginning readers. The artwork is adorably fantastic as is to be expected. Fun!

[Suzanne Lorraine Kunz Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not just your typical book on emotions for children. Yes it has the concepts of happy and sad and mad. But it also shows that there is more than one way to get someone do something you want them to do.

**Talking points - show me a happy face. Mad face? Sad face? Excited face? How many emotions can you name in 5 minutes? What are good ways to get someone do to something for you that you want them to do? What are not good ways do get someone to do something for you that you wnat them to do?

[Sarah T. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a super-simple book about feelings and how a person doesn't have to feel what others say they should feel, i.e. you don't have to turn that frown upside down if you're actually feeling sad! I think this would be a good baby/toddler storytime book. Nice and short but it's Mo Willems so the parents would find it funny too.

[Ikayuro · Rating 4 out of 5]

So... I picked this book up at work because I've been seeing them around and got curious. Granted, I am not the target audience but... I loved it? It's just a small board book meant for children, but boy is that pigeon relatable! I loved this and might flip through some others.

[Julie]

My Grandaddy read this to me!

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everyone likes the pigeon

[Maggie Ignasiak · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an ideal storytime read for that toddler crew. It's great for learning about feelings and using exaggerated expression.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good for kids with a quirky sense of humor.

[Rubi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was so silly. The bus driver wanted fhe Pigeon to show the kids a "Happy expression", but of course, the Pigeon was being his usual grumpy self and didn't want to oblige, showing us a ton of different emotions to teach the kids, along with the Happy expressions he shows once he thinks he got his way lol

[Halina Hetman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Перша книжка від Мо про Голуба, яку я прочитала - і вона була доволі смішна, незважаючи на зовсім невеличку кількість сторінок. Як і The Serious Goose, її буде дуже весело читати вголос з дітками.