The Pigeon Needs A Bath!

The Pigeon Needs A Bath by Mo Willems is a funny, delightful story that follows a stubborn and cranky pigeon. With flies buzzing around him, the pigeon insists it is "purely coincidental" and that he does not need a bath--but discovers otherwise once considering the joys that can be had at bath time!

The book is a blend of comic book and picture book, with panels at many points interspersed with funny dialogue. The illustrations match the narrative, with a comic-book like style of clean lines and impressionistic caricatures of the pigeon in all his sassy glory!

Activities:

1. How do we know the pigeon needs a bath? What signs are there? Make a list of all the things that tip us off he's dirty.
2. What things convince the pigeon to take a bath? Make a list of the good things he discovers.
3. Have you ever not wanted to take a bath? Describe a time when you had to be coaxed into the tub, and make sure to talk about the things that convinced you to take one! 
4. What is something else that sometimes takes convincing? Is there something you have to be convinced to do too? Make a miniature picture book where you are the pigeon, and your parents/guardians are trying to convince you to do something you don't want to do.
5. Shopping list: Make a shopping list of things to convince someone who doesn't want to do a chore. If they don't want to do their homework, what things can you buy to show them it's fun? What about the dishes? The laundry? Find fun things for different activities! 

Overall, the book is hilarious! The pigeon is misanthropic, and the writing itself does a great job of interspersing his unique personality throughout the plot itself. Some of the vocabulary is a little advanced for the recommended reading level of K+, but this can also be a good thing, as explaining new words assists in the development of the vocabulary. I loved the pigeon's unique and sassy personality, and how he's used to show the bright side of a seemingly awful activity. Other books that are similar include Don't Let The Pigeon Stay Up Late! by Mo Willems, a continuation of the pigeon's adventures, I Don't Want to Be A Frog! by Dev Petty (another tale of overcoming prejudices), and Time to Pee! also by Mo Willems, which takes another household drudgery and makes it into a fun adventure.

Bibliography:

Willems, Mo. The Pigeon Needs A Bath. (2014) Disney-Hyperion.