Don't let the pigeon drive the bus!

Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!The pigeon wants to drive the bus, and whines and pleads until the end of the book. Children seem to recognize themselves in his creative pestering. They love telling the pigeon "no" every time he asks to drive the bus, and they love the "Driven to Read" shirt available from Wonder Shirts which also has shirts for many other children's books. When I was a school librarian, I read this book to all the elementary grades. With the older kids, I used it to introduce a discussion of persuasive writing. I have heard of teachers making a reader's theater play from the book. And, if you want coloring sheets for the pigeon, or instructions on how to draw him just like Mo Willems does,just look at the Hyperion Books site.
Have you seen Knuffle Bunny? This book, also by Mo Willems, was a Caldecott Honor book. Kids think it's hilarious, and if they know "Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus" they will go nuts when they see the man wearing the pigeon shirt in Knuffle Bunny ! And for more essential information about the pigeon, read Don't Let the Pigeon Stay Up Late! and The Pigeon Finds a Hot Dog!

Let's go to the beach!

It may have been a long time since hot weather, when your child was outside playing in the sand, in the backyard or at the beach. Here is something to do to recapture that feeling: Start with a 40 pound bag of white rice from the Chinese grocery, Sam's club, or wherever you can get a bargain. Mix a tablespoon of rubbing alcohol and a few drops of food coloring in a large ziploc bag, then add a few cups of rice and shake it around to color it. Color as much rice as you like in different colors. Place the colored rice on an old plastic shower curtain to dry. When it is dry, mix it with any white rice that is left and put it into a large plastic underbed storage container. Put the container on top of a low table so it is easy to reach, and add sand toys. A sheet or shower curtain under the table will help with cleanup!