The Best Childrens Book Creator Ever-Meet Mo Willems. Author of Pigeon Books

Speaking as a parent, a professional educator, and self-proclaimed early childhood education expert I have to tell you that I absolutely LOVE, LOVE, LOVE children's book author and illustrator Mo Willems and his wonderfully entertaining children's picture books and short stories.

It's no wonder his books are so appealing, the multi talented Emmy Award winner spent 9 years as a writer and illustrator for the Children's Television Network and Sesame Street, and has created over 100 short films that have been seen on HBO and MTV. He's also credited with writing several children's programs including Sheep in the Big City and the hilarious Codename Kids Next Door . He began writing and illustrating children's literature books in 2003 and has garnered numerous awards including multiple Caldecott Honors, 2 Geisel Medals, and 2 Carnegie Medals.

Willems first book Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! is a wonderfully silly story about a headstrong temper tantrum throwing pigeon who wants to drive a bus when he discovers the operator is taking a break. He later wrote several other Pigeon books including The Pigeon Finds a Hot Dog, The Pigeon Has Feelings Too, The Pigeon Wants a Puppy and Don't Let the Pigeon Stay Up Late!.

My first graders enjoy all of the books and ask me to read them over and over again. They love how the Pigeon speaks directly to them and can relate to his desire for immediate gratification and his ability to throw major temper tantrums when he doesn't get what he wants. All of the books in the Pigeon series are in high demand during silent reading time in my classroom and are rarely on the shelf in the school library. If you are looking for a great series to share with your children-check out The Pigeon. You won't be disappointed.

Ok, I have to admit Gerald and Piggie are my absolute favorite Mo Willems characters. Gerald is very serious and sometimes crabby Elephant and Piggie is a carefree fun loving little pig who believes she can do anything. Together they make a truly entertaining twosome that compliment one another perfectly. The adult like Gerald is forever trying to get Piggie to be practical while the childlike, eternal optimist Piggie spends her time trying to get Gerald to loosen up and have some fun. Their distinctively opposite points of view lead the pair into many hilariously silly situations. Currently there are 13 Gerald and Piggie adventures including: There is a Bird On Your Head! ,Pigs Make Me Sneeze, Elephants Can Not Dance!, Today I Will Fly, and Watch Me Throw The Ball.

My all time favorite Gerald and Piggie book has to be I Love My New Toy!. When Gerald accidentally breaks Piggie's new toy the characters have to address a whole myriad of emotions that range from excitement, to sadness, to anger. In the end the pair discovers that their friendship is far more valuable than any toy, even a toy that was never really broken in the first place.

My first graders love this story and easily relate to each of the character's feelings. The comic book like illustrations and speech bubbles are especially appealing to my early readers who often choose this or one of the other Gerald and Piggie picturebooks to read aloud with one another during our partner reading time. If you don't have any of the Gerald and Piggie books in your own child's bedtime library I encourage you to get some, your child will thank you for it.

Knuffle Bunny, A Cautionary Tale is the story of toddler Trixie and her pet bunny who get seperated after a trip to the laundromat. This original "bunny" story is the first in what eventually became a three book series that chronicles the adventures of Trixie and Knuffle Bunny during Trixie's childhood in the city. The books are cleverly illustrated with pictures of actual city scapes and backgrounds that are embellished with cartoon drawings of the characters.

Don't let the title fool you, Leonardo the Terrible Monsterisn't terrible at all. He is just terrible at scaring people. So he decides to find the most scaredy kid around to practice on. But he has a surprise in store when he mistakenly pics on Sam a little boy who helps him see that although he is a terrible monster he makes one terrific friend.

Wilbur, a naked mole rat, has trouble fitting in with the rest of the naked mole rats in his colony in the story Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed. You see Wilbur likes to wear clothes! All sorts of clothes and that causes quite a problem for the rest of the "nakies" in the colony. This is a wonderful story of tolerance and acceptance that your child will ask for again and again.

Cat the Cat is the newest character created by Mo Williams.  In the first book Cat the Cat, Who Is That?  readers are introduced to Cat and her cast of friends. The easy to read picture books  are designed for children aged 1-4 and are full of rhyming repetitive text designed to  appeal to young children.  Other books in the series include Time to Sleep Sheep the Sheep, Let's Say Hi To Friends That Fly, and What's That Sound Hound the Hound? 

 I hope you take my advice and get some Mo Willems books for your child.  I guarantee whichever series you choose, The Pigeon, Gerald and Piggie, Knuffle Bunny, or Cat the Cat you won't be disappointed. It is absolutely worth your time to check out all of his amazing titles-he is a true genius when it comes to creating quality, fun, kids books.