READ ALOUD | Don’t Let The Pigeon Drive The Bus by Mo Willems

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In today’s storytime, we explored “Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus” by Mo Willems, where a friendly bus driver leaves us in charge with one important rule: the pigeon cannot drive the bus. Despite the pigeon’s silly attempts to convince us otherwise, we learned that some things, like driving a bus, are just not meant for pigeons, and it’s important to stick to the rules for safety. Ultimately, we enjoyed the fun and imagination of the story while celebrating the pigeon’s ability to fly instead!
  1. Why do you think the pigeon wants to drive the bus?
  2. What do we learn about rules from the bus driver?
  3. Can pigeons drive buses? What can they do instead?

Welcome to Storytime!

Hello there! Today, we’re going to have some fun with a story called “Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus,” written and illustrated by Mo Willems. Are you ready? Let’s dive in!

Meet the Bus Driver

Once upon a time, there was a friendly bus driver. He had to leave for a little while and asked us to watch the bus. He had one important rule: Don’t let the pigeon drive the bus!

The Silly Pigeon

Suddenly, a funny pigeon appeared! The pigeon had a big idea. “Can I drive the bus, please?” he asked. “I’ll be very careful!”

Why the Pigeon Can’t Drive

But wait! The pigeon doesn’t have a driver’s license. That means he can’t drive the bus. Even if he promised to be careful, it’s just not safe!

Pigeon’s Stories

The pigeon tried to convince us by saying, “My cousin Herb drives a bus almost every day!” But we know that’s just a silly story. Pigeons can’t drive buses!

Stick to Flying

We told the pigeon, “You can fly high in the sky, and that’s amazing! But driving a bus is not for pigeons.”

Let’s Play a Game!

The pigeon had another idea. “Let’s play ‘Drive the Bus.’ I’ll go first!” he said. But we all know that letting a pigeon drive the bus is just too silly!

Remember the Rule

So, remember the bus driver’s rule: Don’t let the pigeon drive the bus! It’s fun to imagine, but some things are just not meant for pigeons.

The End

And that’s the end of our story! Wasn’t it fun? Remember, even though the pigeon can’t drive the bus, he can still have lots of fun flying and being a silly bird. Thanks for joining storytime today!

  • What do you think would happen if the pigeon actually drove the bus? Can you imagine a funny story about it?
  • Have you ever wanted to do something that you weren’t allowed to do? How did you feel, and what did you do instead?
  • Why do you think it’s important to follow rules, like not letting the pigeon drive the bus? Can you think of any rules that help keep you safe?
  • Activity 1: Draw Your Own Story

    Imagine if the pigeon could do something else instead of driving the bus. What would it be? Draw a picture of the pigeon doing something fun and safe. Maybe it’s riding a bicycle or flying with friends. Share your drawing with the class and tell everyone about your story!

  • Activity 2: Pigeon Puppet Show

    Let’s make a pigeon puppet! Use paper, crayons, and sticks to create your own pigeon character. Once your puppet is ready, act out a scene where the pigeon learns about different jobs that are safe for him to do. Maybe he can be a mail carrier or a chef! Perform your puppet show for your friends and family.

  • Question: What Can Pigeons Do?

    Think about all the things pigeons can do. Can they fly? Can they sing? Talk with your classmates about what makes pigeons special and why they are better at flying than driving a bus. Share your thoughts with the class!

Here’s a sanitized version of the transcript:

Hey, I’m Rick Tobey, and welcome to Storytime with Ryan. Today’s book is “Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus,” words and pictures by Mo Willems. Let’s get started!

Hi, I’m the bus driver. Listen, I’ve got to leave for a little while, so could you watch things for me until I get back? Thanks! And remember, don’t let the pigeon drive the bus.

That came out of nowhere! Yeah, clearly I’m not going to let a pigeon drive the bus. Insane! Never leave a chance.

Hey, can I drive the bus, please? I’ll be careful! I’ll just steer.

No way! He doesn’t have a driver’s license; he’s not getting behind the wheel. Not even if he sat on my lap and I was like, “I control the pedals.” Nope!

My cousin Herb drives a bus almost every day. True story!

That’s not a true story! There’s no way your cousin Herb drives a bus. And if it’s a pigeon, it might be “Nerve Herb.”

I don’t care who in your family drives a bus; no way!

No, no at the wheel! I never get to do anything.

Okay, pity’s going to get you nowhere. You can fly, pigeon. Stick to flying!

No, no, unacceptable!

Hey, I’ve got an idea! Let’s play “Drive the Bus.” I’ll go first!

There’s no way we are going to agree to let a pigeon drive the bus. Not in this lifetime!

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