Don't let the pigeon drive the sleigh! by Mo Willems

Santa has to go and wrap presents, but as he leaves he has a last warning - "Don't let the pigeon drive the sleigh!"   And so begins a conversation between the pigeon and the reader as the pigeon begs, pleads, cajoles and even attempts to bribe the reader into letting him get into the sleigh!  It's all the pigeon wants to do and he has some very convincing arguments that he is well-qualified to take on this task.  Until... 

The action is carried along entirely in the pigeon’s appeals but it is clearly intended that the young child put on the “parent’s” hat to say no, much like a role-reversal of when they themselves want something and the parent has to withstand all the child’s reasoning and promises, making it an interactive read that is lots of fun. Not only can they stretch their imaginations to suggest why the pigeon shouldn’t drive the sleigh but they can put themselves in the pigeon’s place and also think of arguments they might use to  get their own way.  The only issue is, that in the child’s denials to the pigeon, the parent might hear themselves echoed! Children learn what they live!

Continuing the series that has enchanted children for decades, this has the charm, humour and appeal of the original as well as the format and instantly recognisable illustrations, and the twist in the tale will delight them.  They might even like to predict what the pigeon might get up to next! 

Themes: Santa Claus, Christmas, Pigeons.

Barbara Braxton