Publishers Weekly (Fri Oct 06 00:00:00 CDT 2023)

Where an exclamation point conveyed birdy delight in Willems-s The Pigeon Finds a Hot Dog! this title-s interrobang implies shock at the Duckling-s good fortune. As the sequence opens, the yellow Duckling requests a cookie, receives one immediately, and graciously thanks the unseen provider with a -flappy flip flap!- The Pigeon, whom the Duckling cajoled into sharing a hot dog in the earlier book, soon arrives to express astonishment. Multipanel spreads and emphatic voice balloons reveal his outrage as The Pigeon throws a colossal tantrum (-I ask for things all the time!/ I ask to drive the bus!... I-ve asked for a walrus!... But do I get what I ask for? Noooooo!-). In an unexpected turn, the Duckling gives the Pigeon the entire cookie, shocking the bird (and probably readers, too). Willems packs his punchy dialogue, punctuation, and cartoon visuals with meaning. The Duckling-s dilated blue pupils and wiggling tail suggest studied cuteness, while the Pigeon-s pointy wings and scornful eyelids show comical aggravation. The Duckling-s outward generosity, which hides ulterior motives, ends this exuberant Pigeon installment on a snarky note worthy of Tweety Bird. Ages 2-6. (Apr.)

ALA Booklist (Sun Apr 01 00:00:00 CDT 2012)

Pigeon is back, in all of his indignant, passive-aggressive glory, overwrought this time at one gross injustice: a cute little duckling is now on the scene and has been rewarded a cookie (with nuts) for doing nothing more than asking for it politely. Pigeon pulls out all of the usual pigeon stops y glances, cartwheels, and crocodile tears the hopes of securing a cookie for himself . . . and it works! The duckling shares. As with the other titles in the Pigeon series, simple pencil drawings on pale, blank backgrounds focus our attention on the characters' interactions. Willems has an extraordinary ability to convey immediate, deep characterization with a few deft strokes. He knows, too, how to spread the action across a picture book, carefully managing the panels and page turns to ramp up the drama. Fans will delight at another outing, and the protagonist's indelible pigeonality will welcome newcomers to the club. HIGH-DEMAND BACKSTORY: Pigeon is a beloved character, and his legions of fans will clamor for this, the seventh Pigeon book from hugely popular, award-winning Willems.

Starred Review for Kirkus Reviews

Everyone's favorite grouch of a fowl returns, though the spotlight is firmly fixed elsewhere. Never content to be merely a supporting character, The Pigeon nonetheless takes a backseat in a story in which The Duckling asks for and receives a cookie with nuts. Incensed, The Pigeon proceeds to rant about the various items and impossibilities he has asked for over the years, ignoring point blank the fact that The Duckling got her cookie by asking politely. At the end of the expected meltdown, the smaller bird reveals that she only got the cookie in the first place so that she could give it to The Pigeon. Flabbergasted ("Hubba— Whaa?!?"), our hero leaves with cookie in hand, and The Duckling reveals that her seeming sainthood—she shares slyness as well as color with Tweety Bird—may be a bit of an act. Even those who think they may have tired of The Pigeon's antics will find much to enjoy in this familiar but different outing. The importance of politeness is evident, but its delivery is not didactic in the least. Just as enjoyable as a read-aloud to a group or as a one-on-one lapsit, it's a pleasure to see Willems at the top of his game, and The Pigeon suitably humbled. (Picture book. 3-8)

Kirkus Reviews (Fri Oct 04 00:00:00 CDT 2024)

Everyone's favorite grouch of a fowl returns, though the spotlight is firmly fixed elsewhere. Never content to be merely a supporting character, The Pigeon nonetheless takes a backseat in a story in which The Duckling asks for and receives a cookie with nuts. Incensed, The Pigeon proceeds to rant about the various items and impossibilities he has asked for over the years, ignoring point blank the fact that The Duckling got her cookie by asking politely. At the end of the expected meltdown, the smaller bird reveals that she only got the cookie in the first place so that she could give it to The Pigeon. Flabbergasted ("Hubba— Whaa?!?"), our hero leaves with cookie in hand, and The Duckling reveals that her seeming sainthood—she shares slyness as well as color with Tweety Bird—may be a bit of an act. Even those who think they may have tired of The Pigeon's antics will find much to enjoy in this familiar but different outing. The importance of politeness is evident, but its delivery is not didactic in the least. Just as enjoyable as a read-aloud to a group or as a one-on-one lapsit, it's a pleasure to see Willems at the top of his game, and The Pigeon suitably humbled. (Picture book. 3-8)

Horn Book (Wed Aug 01 00:00:00 CDT 2012)

The Duckling gets a cookie after asking politely. The Pigeon (in his seventh book) goes off on an egocentric tirade: "I ask for things ALL THE TIME!...But do I get what I ask for?" Kids will recognize the Pigeon's strong emotions; the gentle lesson in behavior goes down easily. Simple text, animated illustrations, and a clean design contribute to Willems's successful storytelling.

School Library Journal Starred Review (Thu Mar 01 00:00:00 CST 2012)

K-Gr 2 Duckling, familiar to readers of The Pigeon Finds a Hot Dog! (Hyperion, 2004), asks politely and receives a cookie with nuts. Incredulous, Pigeon rants about the many things that he has asked for and failed to receive—a chance to drive the bus, hot-dog parties, a walrus, one more story, his personal iceberg, etc. In classic Pigeon fashion, the lovably emotional bird relates the unfairness of it all through a hilarious monologue until finally exploding in clenched-fist (or, rather, clenched-wing) anger. But every pigeon has his day, for the duckling offers him the cookie (never mind that Duckling doesn't like nuts), and he accepts the gift with gracious humility. Confident, un-ornamented strokes characterize Willems's seemingly simple illustrations. Postures and expressions are spot-on, conveying the nuances of Pigeon's feelings and the comedy in his passionate behavior. While just plain fun to read aloud, this book is an excellent conversation starter on the topics of politeness and making reasonable requests. This meta-tale that references the gamut of the Pigeon oeuvre will please fans and newcomers alike.— Jayne Damron, Farmington Community Library, MI