Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Sleigh!
Pigeon Series
on Goodreads (1,457)
What’s inside...
From the #1 New York Times bestselling author and illustrator Mo Willems comes a new holiday classic, 'Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Sleigh!'. The story follows the eager pigeon who dreams of driving Santa's sleigh. Despite Santa's clear rule against it, the pigeon tries to navigate the situation in hopes of eventually getting a chance to drive. Throughout the humorous tale, the pigeon learns an important lesson. This book is a delightful addition to the Pigeon series by Mo Willems, offering laughter and holiday cheer.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
4-7
Length
40 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
Why do you think the pigeon wants to drive the sleigh?
What are some other solutions the pigeon could have thought of when told he couldn't drive the sleigh?
How do you feel when you're told you can't do something you really want to do, like the pigeon?
What could the pigeon have done differently to possibly change the outcome?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to think critically about the pigeon’s motivations and the consequences of his actions.
Discuss the importance of accepting 'no' for an answer and brainstorm other constructive ways to deal with disappointment.
Relate the pigeon’s experiences to your child’s own life by asking them about a time they wanted to do something but were not allowed to.
Focus on empathy by asking how they think the other characters in the book felt about the pigeon’s request.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of following rules
Explanation: The pigeon in the story repeatedly asks to drive the sleigh, despite being told no, illustrating the consequences of not adhering to rules.
Real-World Application: Children can learn the significance of obeying rules set by parents or teachers to ensure safety and order in various situations.
Example Lesson: Understanding the concept of responsibility
Explanation: The task of driving the sleigh is important and shows that some roles require specific responsibilities that the pigeon may not be ready for.
Real-World Application: This can help children understand why certain tasks or privileges are only given when they're ready to handle them responsibly.
Example Lesson: Persistence
Explanation: The pigeon's continuous attempts to plead his case to drive the sleigh shows persistence.
Real-World Application: Children can learn that being persistent in their goals is important, but it should be balanced with understanding and respecting the rules and decisions of others.
Example Lesson: Dealing with disappointment
Explanation: The pigeon experiences disappointment from not being allowed to drive the sleigh, which is a normal part of life.
Real-World Application: This teaches children that it's okay to feel upset when things don't go their way and that they should express their feelings in a healthy manner, learning to cope with these emotions constructively.