The Pigeon Finds a Hot Dog by Mo Willems

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY Willems, Mo. 2004. THE PIGEON FINDS A HOT DOG. New York, NY: Hyperion Books for Children. ISBN 0-7868-1869-7
2. PLOT SUMMARY
In The Pigeon Finds a Hot Dog, Mo Willems writes and illustrates a story that is entertaining for young readers, as well as readers of all ages. In this story, Pigeon finds a hot dog and is intent on enjoying it. However, there is one hindrance to Pigeon’s enjoyment; a very cute little duckling who obviously wants the hot dog as well. Pigeon’s struggles between his selfish desires to singlehandedly consume the hot dog and his growing guilt over his refusal to share his treasure result in a very funny tale.
3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
In The Pigeon Finds a Hot Dog, Mo Willems’ writing and illustrations are simple, hilarious and engaging. There are two characters in the book, a pigeon and a duckling. The conflict in the story stems from a hot dog that Pigeon has found and duckling’s refusal to leave him alone to enjoy it. Young children will relate to Pigeon’s struggle between eating the hot dog and sharing with his little friend.
The author’s style encourages interaction between the audience and the pigeon. Young readers can easily relate to pigeon’s joy when he finds a hot dog. The simple yet dramatic illustrations show Pigeon delightfully dancing around singing, “Oooooh! A hot dog! Yummy! Yummy! Yummy!” A young audience` can relate to the pigeon’s stance that the hot dog belongs to him because he found it. They witness his struggle between wanting to greedily consume the hot dog and feeling uneasy about doing so because he knows that sharing is the right thing to do. Duckling never asks pigeon to share his hot dog. He understands that the hot dog does indeed belong to Pigeon. Instead, he states that he only seeks to know what the hot dog tastes like. He calls himself “a curious bird.” However, the sweet duckling does indeed succeed in eliciting sympathy from readers who know what it’s like to be on the short-end of the sharing stick. Due to the self-centered nature of early childhood, young readers can easily relate to pigeon’s struggle between greed and generosity.
Mo Willems demonstrates a sensitive understanding of how young children perceive the world. For example, the ownership of the hot dog is never questioned. Young children can sympathize with pigeon’s greed while building empathy for duckling. This book is a useful tool that gently and wittily teaches the value of sharing. In the end, pigeon shares the hot dog and they both enjoy it together.
Pigeon Finds a Hot Dog provides many opportunities to discuss pigeon’s dilemma and to help him to problem-solve. It is a useful tool for parents and educators in guiding children in experiencing the value of sharing.
4. AWARDS WON AND BOOK EXCERPT(S)
School Library Journal review: “Willems's deceptively simple cartoon drawings convincingly portray his protagonist's emotional dilemma, from his initial joy to his frustration and struggle over what he wants to do versus what he knows is right.”
5. CONNECTIONS
Books by Mo Willems that children (young and old) can relate to and that encourage social and everyday living problem-solving:
Don’t Let the Pigeon Stay Up Late ISBN-10: 0786837462
Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus ISBN-10: 078681988X
The Pigeon Wants a Puppy ISBN-10: 1423109600
The Pigeon Has Feelings Too. ISBN-10: 0786836504