From Pigeon to Knuffle Bunny: A List of Books By Mo Willems

My children never really enjoyed Sesame Street. Trust me there was others, some PBS, some Nickleodeon, but none Sesame Street.

I tried to sneak in an episode when they first woke up on Saturday Mornings. I thought maybe their tired just waking up minds would accept and learn to love. I was mistaken.

We bought little Sesame Street items here and there, a Cookie Monster toy that eats cookies and speaks, a Tickle Me Elmo. They liked the toys enough but not the show.

So why was I so dedicated to the cause of Sesame Street? It is not the primary educational show for young children. There are plenty to choose from these days, with Netflix, and Amazon, and everything else available.

Well, I loved Sesame Street as a child and for some odd reason I felt the need to share my love. I have learned though that our children are their own and have their own likes and dislikes. You cannot expect everything you share with them to stick.

Actually it is easier to not expect them to like anything you show them.

Then on vacation in New York my Sister-in-Law introduced us to Knuffle Bunny, Pigeon, and Elephant.

After reading to our children these great books I realized that Mo Willems wrote and animated for Sesame Street from 1993-2002.

He won six Emmy's almost one for each of the years he worked for the show.

I would have my children love Sesame Street through the books of Mo Willems.

When one gets to the brass tacks Mo Willems is one incredible guy! He has received so many Caldecotts and Geisels I have a picture of him in my mind having to walk slightly hunched over to carry the burden of all these awards.

Awards are awards, and his books really speak for themselves, they have great playful illustrations and wonderful interactive stories that relate to the world of my children.

When we read a Mo Willems book at bedtime, or whenever the desire to read overcomes our family, I know that we are in for a treat. The kids they seem to jump into the stories and fill in the blanks with their own imagination.

I guess all I really have to say is Thank You Mo Willems for knowing their language and giving some insight into how those internal kid gears keep running.

When I introduced "Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus" into our nighttime line up it became a repetitive occurrence for what seemed a lifetime.

We read this book so many times that the kids took the book, under my radar, and filled in responses to Pigeon as he begs to drive the bus.

When Pigeon would beg the kids would yell "NO" to Pigeon.

Poor brow beaten Pigeon.

Knuffle Bunny was the first book of Mo Willem's that my family read. My Sister-in-Law introduced us while on our vacation in New York.

This cautionary tale led to our decision to not allow our daughter to take her blankie outside of the home for any reason. Which seems cruel at first, but really saved us from potential blankie loss heartache.

Mo Willems took black and white photographs from different areas of New York and used these photos as backdrops to the story. So not only did we have a great story of the sadness of loss and the happiness of recovery but we had reinforcement to the memories of the days we spent walking the streets of New York.

• Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!
• The Pigeon Finds a Hot Dog!
• The Pigeon Loves Things That Go!
• The Pigeon Has Feelings, Too!
• Don't Let the Pigeon Stay Up Late!
• The Pigeon Wants a Puppy! (I Really Do!)
• The Duckling Gets a Cookie?
• Don't Let the Pigeon Finish this Activity Book!
• The Pigeon Needs a Bath! (I Do Not!)
• Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Tale
• Knuffle Bunny Too: A Case of Mistaken Identity
• Knuffle Bunny Free: An Unexpected Diversion
• Edwina, the Dinosaur Who Didn't Know She Was Extinct
• Leonardo, the Terrible Monster
• Time to Pee!
• Time to Say "Please"!
• You Can Never Find a Rickshaw When It Monsoons
• Today I Will Fly!
• My Friend is Sad
• There is Bird on Your Head!
• I Am Invited to a Party!
• I Will Surprise my Friend!
• I Love My New Toy!
• Are You Ready to Play Outside?
• Watch Me Throw the Ball!
• Pigs Make Me Sneeze!
• Elephants Cannot Dance!
• I Am Going!
• Can I Play Too?
• We Are in a Book!
• I Broke My Trunk!
• Should I Share My Ice Cream?
• Happy Pig Day!
• Listen to My Trumpet!
• Let's Go For a Drive!
• A Big Guy Took My Ball!
• I'm a Frog!
• My New Friend Is So Fun!
• Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed
• Big Frog Can't Fit In
• Goldilocks and the Three Dinosaurs
• That is NOT a Good Idea!
• Don't Pigeonhole Me!
• Hooray for Amanda and Her Alligator!
• Cat the Cat, Who Is That?
• Let's Say Hi to Friends Who Fly
• What's Your Sound, Hound the Hound?
• Time to Sleep, Sheep the Sheep!
• City Dog, Country Frog

I forgot to mention that the book "Time to Pee" helped my daughter through her potty training issues.

This was only a short hub to introduce families to this wonderful children's book author and illustrator.

For more information and to read Mo Willem's blogs go to www.mowillems.com.

Goodbye and happy family reading.