Be the Bus: The Lost & Profound Wisdom of The Pigeon

by Mo Willems

#1 New York Times bestselling author and illustrator Mo Willems shares wit and wisdom from The Pigeon in this one-of-a-kind humor book for adults.

Discover important tips, thoughts, opinions, quotes, complaints, and basic philosophical misunderstandings in this profound collection of Pigeon-isms. This 80-page, gift-sized collector’s title features all-new original art along with big (and little) Pigeon-y tidbits to ponder, such

Let me be the first to say that everything has already been said.
Surprises happen when you least expect them.
If I could change just ONE thing about myself, I'd be perfect.

A must-have book for grown-up Pigeon fans!

Genres: Humor, Picture Books, Nonfiction, Adult, Childrens, Inspirational, Philosophy

80 pages, Hardcover

Published April 4, 2023

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

[Scott · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Genius is seldom recognized . . . THAT is why I wear a name tag." -- The Pigeon

The title character (don't call him a bird-brain) from writer / illustrator Mo Willems' ever-increasing 21st century catalog - such as the kid-friendly favorites Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus, Don't Let the Pigeon Stay Up Late, et al. - imparts various thoughts and life lessons to the world in the compact Be the Bus. It was alternately amusing and occasionally slyly pertinent, and is squarely aimed and/or likely best appreciated by those parents and guardians that read Willems' books to their children.

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a cute read. Made sweeter because I have been unexpectedly, horridly sick and a friend read it to me to help distract me from feeling like garbage.

3, it was shorter than I expected but I appreciate my friend, stars.

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Genius is seldom recognized. THAT is why I wear a name tag." <3!

[Laela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hey there!
Why in the world are you squandering your time perusing this pointless blurb instead of diving headfirst into the enchanting pages of this marvelous book?
I mean, come on!
Get your priorities straight, buddy!
Trust me, the magic awaits!

[Eva B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

He's so real for this

[Carla · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not sure how to rate this book, or who this book is for. It's short and full of silly quotations, similar to a graduation gift book. I can see it as a K-3 teacher's or children's librarian's retirement gift. It's cute and light and very in keeping with Willems' sense of humor. Its short length definitely makes it a novelty book.

[Hannah D · Rating 5 out of 5]

best book I have read in a long time

[Tyler Bobbitt · Rating 5 out of 5]

YEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

[Mike S. · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Pigeon has got nothin' on Yogi Berra, except that Yogi Berra is dead and the Pigeon is fictional. I love Mo Willems but this wasn't all that funny. But, like his children's series, it was a quick read and there were a couple chuckles to be had. And any distraction is welcome when it's in the high 80s on the Bookmobile and business is slooooow.

[Victor The Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

If your familiar with Willems’ beloved “Pigeon” picture books, you’re probably familiar with the series’ hilariously star himself. In this unique book, he shares his profound wisdom through some funny words that are just like the ones you’ve found on motivational posters. Just a funny and silly bunch of illustrations and words that will definitely make you giggle for sure. Maybe even find some of your own greatness. A- (91%/Excellent)

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Honk like no one's listening. Dream like no one's thwarting."

[Mum Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute book with cute/funny sayings. Read it to my grandson, who is a fan of "the Pigeon" books.

[emilia borg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Money can’t buy happiness, but it can buy this book and a hot dog, so what’s the difference?

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, how the Pigeon makes me laugh!

[Amy S · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant.

Unplumbed depths of wisdom. Seriously. Bit of a leak. May want to call a plumber...

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adorable, like every other book by this author. I want to cut the book up and hang the pages on my wall as reminders (but the library probably wouldn't like that). Would make an excellent graduation gift for any "big kid" who loved the Pigeon when they were young (or young at heart).

[Becky Lockwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Pigeon's first book- the Pigeon plans on writing many more some day. Most importantly, just Be The Bus!

[Beckie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Be the Bus! Very cute, inspirational little book by The Pigeon. 🐦

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing. I need to buy this. Best coffee table book I've ever read in life I think.

[Natalie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Stupid and boring but at least the pigeon is cute. His children’s books contain far more valuable philosophical insights.

[Nadine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Any book that makes you laugh out loud at its double entendres is with 5 stars

[Josh Newhouse · Rating 4 out of 5]

Colorful Mo Willems visuals perfectly complement his uplifting, silly and thoughtful words to bring anyone up when reading it. And don’t get me started on the insights on apples and oranges! Another sweet and occasionally salty success from the Pigeon and Mo!

[L]

It is cute, but I expected a lot more, more profundity.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks Helen!

[Dolly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Witticisms from the pigeon, delivered with and appropriate level of snark and gravitas. The illustrations are colorful and offer an older fan of the books by Mo Willems a welcome bit of silliness.

interesting quotes:

"Dropped food is gravity's way of sharing." (p. 28 - unpaged)

"Sometimes I take a good hard look at myself and ask...
Wait. Has that weird little bump always been there?" (p. 52 - unpaged)

[Ana Banana · Rating 5 out of 5]

be the bus? im gonna busz 🤩🙌

[Stacey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Silly book a la Yogi Berra as another reviewer suggested…as in, I feel like I’ve seen these blurbs before. Kinda cute, I do love Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus…just not sure who this book is for? I foresee a lot of these in upcoming library book sales

[Mompop · Rating 2 out of 5]

a bit too didactic for me.

[Julie Bestry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Equal parts dumb and goofy and charming and delightful.

If you've ever read (and re-read, and re-read, ad nauseam) Mo Willems' Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus to the tiny humans in your life, you also ready The Pigeon. If your life is child-free, you're ready to make the acquaintance of the bus driving aspirant, puppy-fearing philosopher, The Pigeon.

Some of the pages are covered with quirky bon mots suitable for a coffee mug. "Genius is seldom recognized. THAT is why I wear a name tag." "The early bird gets the worm. NOW do you get why I sleep in?" (That just tickles me.)

But some of the pages have the potential to be perceived as surprisingly deep. "Drive like no one is watching. Honk like no one is listening. Dream like no one is thwarting." Indeed. "There is a simple solution to not always finding things in the last place you look: KEEP LOOKING." It's funny, but also deep and philosophical if you apply it philosophically to the areas of our lives where we don't re cognize we already have what we're looking for.

And for pure giggles, "Also, it's better to say 'I love you more than ever.' than 'I used to love you less." Cracks me up.

This would make a cute stocking stuffer or gift for folks heading into grandparenthood and getting read to read Mo Willems all over again.

[Meredith · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a collection of "wisdom" from the beloved children’s book character The Pigeon.

This book features "deep thoughts" from Mo Willems’s famous character The Pigeon accompanied by bold colorful illustrations. All of the content is new rather than being excepts from books in the series.

As a librarian, I appreciated the praise of librarians.

I also had to laugh at the statement, "... better to say: 'I love you more than ever' than 'I used to love you less.' But my young children didn't understand why I was laughing.

The advice to "Never, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever give up ... for at least a month or so" reminded me of the advice from W.C. Fields, “If at first you don't succeed, try, try again. Then quit. No use being a fool about it.”

Overall, this book had its moments, but it never rose to the level of The Tao of Pooh.