Pigeon Adventures

Friday was another day full of babysitting. Fridays belong to the South Loop family. I've only been babysitting for them for a year, but since I've watched their youngest grow from 2 months to 14 months, I feel like I've been with them a lifetime.

The Loop is one of my favorite places to babysit. The apartment overlooks the entire city and it's a surreal experience to walk around with the babies, glancing out to the hustle and bustle of the city. This is TRUE city living.

Both of the Loop boys have birthdays in the winter (November for the baby and January for the 3 year-old). Although I don't get them "holiday" gifts, I decided that getting a little gift for their birthdays would be appropriate. I truly believe in the philosophy that your child will be as smart as you allow them to be. Interpretation: The 'smarter' (or more mature/educated) you speak to your children, the faster their minds will grow! That being said, I'm on a book-purchasing spree.

Mo Willems hails from Brooklyn, NY (specifically, Park Slope) and is the author of the many "Pigeon" classics. I met him when I was in Brooklyn a few summers ago, nannying for the NY family at a book signing. He's a neighborhood-classic in the streets of Park Slope and it's not unusual to see him at the local park with his daughter Trixie (another must-read: "Snuffle Bunny").

Here's a silly picture of Mo that captures the way I feel about the Pigeon Classics.

Some of my pigeon-favorites include:

"Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus" - gift for the Loop 3 year old
"The Pigeon Wants a Puppy" - gift for the Loop baby

The simplicity of these books is what caught my eye. The illustrations are hilarious, even in the opinion of an adult. I couldn't help but laugh at the pigeon begging for a puppy, promising to water it once a month, as EVERYONE knows a puppy needs proper watering and sunshine.

The Loop babies love these books. They flap their arms in the air when I turn the page and the puppy appears, licking the pigeon with its big, wet tongue. They love when the pigeon promises to be careful while driving the bus in "Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus".

My favorite, "The Pigeon Wants a Puppy"!! (how can you resist that face?!)

Although these books may not be the most "educational" around, they're enlightening and enjoyable for both children and parents. Maybe it's because I've met Mo and can appreciate where he comes from and the neighborhood that inspires his stories.

Or maybe it's because us city-folk can appreciate a few tales about our fellow sidewalk friends, the pigeons.