Book Review: The Pigeon Needs a Bath by Mo Willems

Stars: 5 out of 5

Pros: Funny and charming

Cons: Only if Pigeon doesn't get in the tub

The Bottom Line:

A dirty Pigeon

Wanting out of needed bath

Will he stay dirty?

Can You Talk Pigeon into a Bird Bath?

Poor Pigeon.  It seems like no matter what he does, he wants to do things he shouldn't do (like driving a bus) and tries to avoid things he really needs to do.  He's facing another issue in his new book, The Pigeon Needs a Bath!

It seems that Pigeon has had a fun day, but as a result, he's pretty dirty.  He needs a bath, but he doesn't want to take one, so he's going to offer every excuse in the book to try to get out of it.  What will it take to finally get him in the bath?

I really don't see how Mo Willems does it.  His books contain nothing but dialogue, yet they tell a story while entertaining and charming along the way.  Making it even harder in his Pigeon books, Pigeon is the only character who really talks.  (There are a couple of exceptions in this book, but only for a page or two.)  It does help that Pigeon is carrying on his conversation with us as he attempts to get out of getting into the bathtub.  You can make this book more interactive with your kids as you read to them by asking them how they'd respond to Pigeon.  Maybe they can get him to take a bath.

Mo's illustrations are charming as well.  They are fairly simple, but they are perfect for helping to tell the story.  And if you pay attention, you'll get some laughs from them as well.

Yes, laughs.  Through exaggeration, you get some good laughs as you read about Pigeon's excuses to get out of taking a bath.  Even if your kid tries to get out of a bath, they'll still laugh at Pigeon's antics.

I'm not going to spoil the ending except for this tease.  Getting Pigeon out of the tub might be a good subject for the next in the series.

Whether you buy these books or stand there in a library or store and read them, you'll love The Pigeon Needs a Bath!