Picture Book Review – Goldilocks and the Three Dinosaurs – Mo Willems

Picture Book Review – Goldilocks and the Three Dinosaurs – Mo Willems

Suitable for Toddlers/Younger Readers

I’m having trouble thinking of how to start off this review. Perhaps the easiest way is to say I can’t imagine how anything will top this in 2014. It’s my favourite book that Mo Willems has ever written, and that’s saying something. I always laugh during his works, but this tops all of them. The randomness of half the text, the absurdity of it all, and taking a well known tale like Goldilocks and turning it on its head in such a funny way is fantastic.

‘Once upon a time, there were three Dinosaurs: Papa Dinosaur, Mama Dinosaur and some other Dinosaur who happened to be visiting from Norway.’ And so begins the unorthodox tale of how Goldilocks stumbled upon the home of some dinosaurs, not bears. I don’t think I’ll ever come across a better opening sentence. I wish I could write down all the sentences, because every single one is a joy, but that would spoil the fun of reading it.

I laughed, and I laughed, and I laughed all the way through. I’m not sure if I can actually read this at a storytime as I think I’ll be laughing too much to myself all the way through. The self-referential humour, acknowledging the dinosaurs plans whilst pretending they’re going for an innocent walk, and the way the ‘wind’ sounds eerily like dinosaurs plotting, or rock’s falling, or a squirrel…I can’t do it enough justice. It’s up there with some of the greatest comedy writing in any medium, anywhere, ever. People should be quoting this as much as they quote Anchorman.

The illustrations are as delightful as ever, with Mo Willems’ easily recognisable style complimenting the cartoon feel of the story as well as they ever do. It’s all hilarious from start to finish. I’m flicking back and forth through the pages as I’m writing this, and I’m laughing again and again. Honestly, this is better than 99% of comedy shows out there at the moment. Whoever thinks that picture books are just for children is missing out.

An easy entry into the World of Children’s Books Hall of Fame. I honestly feel that if you don’t read this, you’re missing out on one of the funniest things you could ever read in life. Make sure you do.

10/10 and an entry into the Picture Book Hall of Fame

Picture Book - Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! - Mo Willems (Author & Illustrator)

Picture Book - Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! - Mo Willems (Author & Illustrator)

Recommended for - Toddlers/Young Readers

More Mo Willems now, this time his Pigeon series. If you've read any of my other reviews about Mo Willems' books, you probably know where this is heading.

When we open this book, we're warned by a bus driver who has to leave for a short while not to let the pigeon in question drive the bus. Boy, does that pigeon try to convince us otherwise. Unfortunately, despite all his best attempts, the bus driver returns before we give in, and the pigeon sulks off. And we laugh all the way through it.

It really is a very grumpy pigeon, and I really do like grumpy animals. I barely touched on Mo Willem's illustrations in previous reviews, but here they add layers to the humour - he's a master at somehow getting the varying emotions of a pigeon across to us, particularly when said pigeon is peeking around the page with mischief in mind, or trying to emotionally blackmail us. I can well imagine younger children laughing and shouting at the page, telling the pigeon that he isn't allowed to drive the bus, and the grown ups laughing about how the pigeon informs us that his cousin drives one everyday, and that he bets that your child's mother (yep, YOU, all the mothers reading this!) would allow it. I'm sure for some of you, you'll see your own child in this pigeon...It's also interesting to read a book that breaks the fourth wall i.e. the characters talk directly to you.

What I love about Mo Willems is the faint ridiculousness of the plot to most of his stories - I don't know how he thinks them up, but they're brilliant concepts, and he follows through with wonderful humour for children and adults alike. Thank heavens there are plenty of them, so it'll be a long time before I run out of his material.

This is a true classic of childrens picture books, and no wonder it's been voted into several Halls of Fame.

10/10