Don't Let the Pigeon Run This App

Title: Don’t Let the Pigeon Run This App

Bibliographic information:

Creator: Disney Publishing Worldwide Applications

• Language: English

Reader's Annotation:  Don’t let the pigeon run this app - or he might mess up the whole story!  Create your own Mo Willem’s Pigeon stories with this unique and playful app.  

Interest Level: Ages 4-5

Awards, if applicable: N/A

Play summary: There are three modes of storytelling in this app.  “Egg” will randomly generate a story.  When you choose “Chick”, the bus driver will prompt the reader to select several options, and then - shake the Pigeon and listen to the mad-lib style story you create.  Finally, “Big Pigeon” will encourage the user to speak into the microphone, and then the user can hear his or her own voice in the story.  If you enjoy the story - you can save up to 6 in your “Favorite Stories” vault.  In another section of the story, Mo Willems will show you how to Draw the Pigeon.

Critical review:

Unlike most storybook apps, this one allows the reader to create the story.  It adds a new level of experience to the play.  While elements of it are simple, and the story can be very predictable, it augments Mo Willem’s vision of inspiring new artists and authors to tell their own stories through the gateway of using his characters.  

Why include it?

Those who love Pigeon and other Mo Willems stories will be delighted to make their own pigeon tales.  For 4-6 year old readers, this storybook app is fun, with a lot of ways to create your own story.  Older readers tend to become disenchanted with the repetition of the stories.