Mo Willems

         

 
Today I began author studies with all my classes.  With first grade, we are learning about Mo Willems.  Have you ever read a book by Mo Willems??  I know, you're not a kid.  But trust me!  He's hilarious!  With stories like Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus, Knuffle Bunny and Elephant & Piggie, you can't go wrong!

The first time I really looked at one of his books, I didn't really know what to expect.  Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus was a finalist in a contest we were participating in, so I had to read it to every class (19 in total).  I looked at it and wondered, "How the hell am I going to read this out loud?"  It just doesn't look like the type of book that would work that way.  But I had to do it.  And I did.  And the laughter!!  Holy crap!  I was laughing so hard at the kids laughing!  So I looked at the rest of his books and decided they were decent enough to make into a unit.

This year, I'm in a new school, and the kids knew the pigeon books, but they didn't seem to appreciate them.  So now we're at the time of the year for author studies.  I showed the kids a Barnes & Noble "Meet the Writers" video, where he talked a little about why he does what he does.  He also tells them a secret!  The pigeon is in EVERY Mo Willems book!  Even those not about the pigeon!  Let the fun begin!!

I don't think there are any Mo Willems books left on the shelf.  A shipment of new books just came in and there are a few in there, but they aren't quite ready for check out.  I have 4 more classes this week.  The first class seemed to take all of them.  To actually read or to find the pigeon, I'm not sure.  But I'm not sure it really matters.

5 stars out of 5.