There is a Bird on Your Head!

Willems, Mo. There is a Bird on Your Head! Illustrated by Mo Willems. Hyperion Books, 2007. 57 pages. $8.99. ISBN 9781428764385.

Summary:

“Piggie! Is there something on my head?” So begins another Mo Willems classic about two friends, Elephant and Piggie. Typical of the books in this series, the problem and solution are very silly, with expressive illustrations to match. When two lovebirds make a nest on Elephant’s head, he becomes quite agitated; then Piggie informs him that there are three eggs in the nest. Before long, there are chicks, two lovebirds and their nest, and Elephant is really upset. When Piggie suggests that Elephant simply ask them to move, the solution is more than Piggie bargained for.

Curriculum Connections:

The Elephant and Piggie series are a perfect choice for emerging, beginning readers. The text size is large, with speech bubbles, the page layouts and illustrations are simple and predictable, and the stories feature repetition. As a bonus: “The conversation between the friends flows smoothly and allows beginning readers to practice expression as they read” (Bresnahan, 2007).

Personal Reflections:

Mo Willems has a distinctive style which is popular with young readers and listeners. Each Elephant and Piggie episode strikes just the right silly note, both in the text and in the illustrations: in this installment, Elephant’s facial expressions convey frustration and exasperation each time he learns more about what is happening on top of his head.

Awards:

Theodor Seuss Geisel Award Winner, 2008; ALA Notable Children’s Books for Younger Readers, 2008.

Age/Interest Range:

PreK-8

Genre/Themes:

Humor, Early Reader, Friendship

Read-Alikes:

All of the other Elephant and Piggie books are natural read-alikes. The Golly Sisters (Byars) and Amelia Bedelia (Parish) are both equally silly series books aimed at young readers a bit beyond the Elephant and Piggie level.