Mo Willems’s Pigeon Books: Who Doesn’t Love a Pigeon Craft?
Only Mo Willems can make a Pigeon endearing and hilarious in a children's book. I first met the Pigeon and the Duckling at a friend's house. Her son was cracking up over this crazy duo and the way Mo Willems brings their interactions to life.
I found a great selection of these Pigeon books at our local library, and my daughter loved introducing them to her Nana.
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I attempt to take every opportunity to instill pictures of virtue in my children. What I love about Mo Willems's Pigeon books is that they present a type. The Pigeon is like an "every child" type. He responds to things that don't seem fair in a very honest way, and as we read through the books, my daughter noticed that the Pigeon was very focused on himself all the time. Doesn't that sound like a typical kid?
Mo Willems's Pigeon Books Series
Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!
The Pigeon Loves things that Go!
Don't Let the Pigeon Stay Up Late!
When you have the opportunity to show your child what selfishness looks like in another person, they can see how undesirable that attitude can be. This provides a great opportunity for cultivating character....and sponge painting.
Crafting with Pigeons
Mo Willems takes simple shapes and puts them together to create whimsical characters that are endearing. My girls picked a scene from the book to recreate with their sponge paints.
Here's what you need:
- 12x18 sheet of manila or other construction paper
- 3 sponges (I got mine from Dollar Tree...a three pack for a dollar)
- Acrylic paint in light blue, light yellow, orange, brown, and white
- Paper plates for dipping sponges in paint
- Sharpie Marker
Step 1: Cut out Sponges
The first pink sponge was cut into the Pigeon's body. It took up the majority of the sponge, and then the leftover parts ended up working great as wings.
The second pink sponge made the Pigeon head, and the duckling body and beak.
The green sponge was cut into the neck and beak of the Pigeon, and the neck and head of the Duckling. It doesn't have to be perfect because the sponge paint will not be uniform. I just eyeballed the circles and adjusted until I was happy with the shape.
Step 2: Sponge Paint
Put some paint in the plates, dip your sponges into the paint, and place the shapes on your paper.
Step 3: Let the Paint Dry...and Clean Up
What's more fun than rinsing paint out of sponges?! What a great opportunity to show the opposite of selfishness by serving one another.
Step 4: Outline the Shapes with a Sharpie
Go back over your birds after they're dried and add a message to finish up the picture!
November is National Picture Book Month, and I'm excited to be participating. Check back tomorrow when I highlight another great picture book author and craft!
I'm linking up with Picture Book Month Linkup, Busy Doing Life, and Learning Kid Linkup.
Betsy Strauss is an unexpected homeschooler, mother of three, who is in a relationship with a sweet man for life. She loves reading books, drinking coffee, and learning anything with her kids.
That is so creative to use sponges as stamps like that. Never thought of it but I should now!
My kids are going to love this one! We’ll be picking up some sponges at the store for sure!
I never heard of the series but I love the activity you planned with the book. Looks like something my daughter could get into.
Wow! What a brilliant craft. Your kids are very artistic. I might try this at school. Thanks for the idea! #picturebookmonthbloggers
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