Don't let the Pigeon leave the house!

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     We have found that often it’s easier to choose an author and take a trip through their characters, books and/or series. Educators call this an author study and if you Google the author’s name and “author study” you will get a plethora of activities to engage your child in from Scholastic to teachers to individual blogs. With this in mind, we have chosen to browse through the books of Mo Willems.  

     You may not recognize the name Mo Willems, but if you have kids, you’ve most likely heard of Elephant and Piggie and their adventures as well as Knuffle Bunny and Pigeon, who you shouldn’t let drive the bus. Willems’ books are fun, offer lessons and lend themselves well to discussions and extended activities. 

     If you don’t have any of Willems’s books, many are available to be heard as a read aloud on YouTube. Book activities can be found on Pigeon Presents as well as information and ideas for parents on the books, the characters and how best to utilize the activities. You can also have your child join Willems on his Lunch Doodles for more fun and creative activities.

     Introduce your child to Willems’s characters through:

• A simple craft to introduce Pigeon. Use a paper plate and some construction paper to make Pigeon and then read one of Pigeon's stories. We were inspired by The Pigeon Needs a Bath! and put a dirty pigeon in a bath made from paper plates my daughter painted blue.
  

• An Elephant and Piggie puppet made using a lunch bag. Have your child come up with their own Elephant and Piggie adventure and present it to you and your family or to friends. If they are old enough, have them write down the adventure and if not just have them use their puppets to act out the adventure. This will help build imagination, creativity and dialogue. (The templates can be found on Pigeon Presents.)
  

• A cautionary tale with a nod to the silent film, That is Not a Good Idea is a fun interactive story with a surprise ending. For ideas to further enhance the reading experience take a look at this guide from HarperCollins Publishers.
  

• Individual expression. Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed is a fun book for those who like to dress up and express themselves. Go to Pigeon Presents to find ideas for helping Wilbur dress and to bring out your child’s inner expressiveness.   
  

     In addition to Mo Willems’s books, author/illustrators have teamed up with Willems to offer the ELEPHANT & PIGGIE LIKE READING! early-reader series, where Elephant & Piggie introduce kids to the books they like to read. These books feature original stories and all new characters along with Elephant & Piggie story bumpers from Willems. Though recommended for grades 1-3, my four-year-old daughter enjoys these books, especially The Cookie Fiasco.

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Happy reading and crafting!

-Kate @ BTBL

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Author

We are three generations that seek a way to get back to basics. It’s not that we eschew technology, but sometimes simpler is better, especially in raising our children. Mom was a reading teacher, Amanda is an early childhood educator and Kate a children’s literature specialist and former school librarian along with the latest additions, a daughter (now 4) for Kate, and two sons (now 1 and a newborn) for Amanda. We advocate reading aloud, the simple toys that use imagination and encourage creativity and learning in the kitchen, which can be a fun mess but also teaches life skills. Join us in raising healthy, happy, inquisitive and intelligent children.