Author Mo Willems and The Pigeon stare down the future in a new book
Author Mo Willems has sold millions of books and won many awards, but the accolade that means most to him is when a parent says their child read aloud for the first time from one of his books.
The author, illustrator and animator, 57, is best known for his bestselling picture books like the Caldecott Award-winning Don't Let The Pigeon Drive The Bus! and Knuffle Bunny.
His latest book, Will The Pigeon Graduate? may look like it's aimed at children, but the titular Pigeon's fear of failure and an uncertain future are sure to resonate with people of all ages, especially during graduation season.
Willems and his trusty friend The Pigeon (charmingly represented by puppeteer Bradley Freeman Jr) recently sat down with The Associated Press for an interview about graduating, Sesame Street, and the purpose of life. Answers have been edited for clarity and brevity.
How did graduation come to mind for a book topic?
Willems: As I am getting older, which I am, I'm getting into a new part of my life. And I'm wondering, am I equipped to be living in this part of life? And as I ask that question and I don't have the answers, then I think, well, what is that metaphor that kids are going through? And graduation seemed like the perfect thing. I'm graduating to a new stage in my life, and kids do this all the time. You graduate to tying your shoe. You graduate the first time you read.
The Pigeon: Like driving a bus.
Willems: Yeah, well, except for driving a bus. That is something you cannot graduate to, if you're a pigeon, but thank you for contributing to the conversation.
The Pigeon: Of course.
People may think this is just for graduates, but could it be about any transition?
Willems: I think it's about asking yourself, "Am I equipped for something that scares me?' The real world is scary. We're always asking ourselves those questions. And often the answer is ... I don't know. And that's something that might feel uncomfortable to sit with, but it's also something that's very, very exciting.
So like right now, I'm doing an interview with you and a giant pigeon. Is this gonna work out? If I'm going to get a little bit philosophical, I would say often we're trying to give the answers, and I think kids get exhausted from it. I want to give them the questions. I want them to have a chance to live with these questions themselves and work their way into an answer rather than telling them, "Oh, you'll be fine.'
'As I am getting older, which I am, I'm getting into a new part of my life. And I'm wondering, am I equipped to be living in this part of life?' says Willems. Photo: AP
Mr Pigeon, what is your favourite part about collaborating on this book?
The Pigeon: I really like how all of the books are about me. I like how I'm on, like, almost every page. You know, all of these books go through an approval process, and I get sent advanced - I call them screeners, nobody likes when I call them that! - but I get to look at them. And if I'm not on the first page and the last page, it does not get approved.
Can you reflect on your nine seasons as a writer and animator on Sesame Street, winning six Emmys and helping to develop Elmo's World ?
Willems: My love of puppets, my love of sketch comedy, my love of counting to 40 - all these things that I really, really love - came from Sesame Street ! And when it came time for me to make books, one of the things that I got to do that we didn't get to do on Sesame Street at the time was write about failure. Write about not driving the bus rather than driving the bus. So on one level, it was like going to grad school. I loved it. I learned so much. I met all of these great puppets and puppeteers. On the other, the restrictions of the show allowed me to find my own voice.
Obviously, one of the book's messages is you have to believe in yourself.
Willems: I don't know. I'm glad that you think that that's one of the messages because you brought something to that book. I only write 49% of the book. You put the meaning in the book; if the book is meaningful, that is because you are putting yourself within it. I try not to have messages as much as I can. I really try to live in the question.
Mr Pigeon, do you think your participation in this makes you a little bit of a philosopher?
The Pigeon: Yeah, I think there's a lot of very powerful things going on up here in this little bird brain. There's a lot of really deep questions, like, I don't know, can I drive the bus, maybe? You know, wondering maybe if I can stay up late? That would be really great.
Willems: These are all fundamental Greek philosophical questions.
The Pigeon: And what is the purpose of life?
Willems: What is the purpose of life? Why are we here? Why are people mean? Why are people nice? Can I drive the bus?
The Pigeon: Can I have a hot dog? - AP
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Sinar Daily
5 hours ago
- Sinar Daily
Squid Game's final gambit: What lies ahead as the deadliest game returns for Season 3
The clocks are ticking, the masks are back and the stakes are higher than ever. As the world's most chilling survival game nears its end, Squid Game is ready for its final act and fans are bracing for impact. Season 3 of the global phenomenon is officially arriving on June 27, and it promises one last, brutal descent into the psychological battleground where morality, betrayal and survival are the only currencies. Even before the blood had dried from the Season 2 finale, Netflix and Squid Game creator Hwang Dong-hyuk were ready to let the world know that the game is not over just yet, but it will be soon. 'I am beyond excited to be writing this letter to announce the date for Season 2 and share the news of Season 3, the final season. The fierce clash between two worlds (Gi-hun and Front Man's) will continue into the series finale with Season 3, which will be brought to you next year,' Hwang wrote previously. For fans who have been following the harrowing arc of Seong Gi-hun (played by Emmy-winning actor Lee Jung-jae), this is the final leg of a journey that has turned from desperate to deeply personal. The highly anticipated third season of the global Netflix sensation Squid Game is set to premiere on June 27. Photo: Netflix Facebook page A legacy of betrayal Season 2 ended with a devastating twist. Gi-hun, driven by grief and guilt, had tried to incite a rebellion within the game, rallying players to take control and dismantle the system from the inside. For a moment, it almost worked. The group breached security and neared the control center. But then the betrayal struck. The Front Man—who had been masquerading as Player 001—unveiled himself and crushed the uprising, killing Gi-hun's closest ally, Jung-bae (played by Lee Seo-hwan) in the process. What awaits in the endgame Season 3 picks up on the emotional wreckage left by the failed revolt. Gi-hun is a broken man, but the game would not wait. As the violent tournament presses on, new players are introduced, each desperate enough to gamble with their lives. The games are crueler, the consequences more severe and the moral boundaries even blurrier. Gi-hun must now navigate not just the labyrinth of death traps, but his own shattered conscience. His humanity is on trial and survival comes at a soul-crushing cost. Meanwhile, the Front Man (played by Lee Byung-hun) tightens his grip on the game, now openly entertaining an elite circle of masked VIPs. His power is absolute, but danger brews close to home. His brother, Hwang Jun-ho (Wi Ha-jun), resumes his covert investigation into the island's secrets, creeping ever closer to answers and perhaps another betrayal. The highly anticipated third season of the global Netflix sensation Squid Game is set to premiere on June 27. Photo: Netflix Facebook page The cast: Familiar faces and new blood Season 3 brings back familiar players and adds new characters to the board, enriching the emotional complexity of the story. The confirmed cast includes: Lee Jung-jae as Gi-hun (Player 456) Lee Byung-hun as the Front Man Wi Ha-jun as Hwang Jun-ho Yim Si-wan as Myung-gi (Player 333) Kang Ha-neul as Dae-ho (Player 388) Park Sung-hoon as Hyun-ju (Player 120) Yang Dong-geun as Yong-sik (Player 007) Kang Ae-sim as Geum-ja (Player 149) Jo Yuri as Jun-hee (Player 222) Lee David as Min-su (Player 125) Roh Jae-won as Nam-gyu (Player 124) Park Gyu-young as No-eul Each new character brings a new motive, a new strategy and more emotional landmines. The trailer: A glimpse into darkness The freshly dropped trailer teases a season steeped in unease. Familiar bunk beds, eerie playgrounds and masked guards return; but the mood is heavier. The failed revolt has made everyone harder, colder. The returning players are herded back to their dormitories. Tensions are thick. Trust is rarer than ever. And in the glittering gallery of masked VIPs, the games are just a spectacle; but for the players, they are everything. The end may be in sight, but how it unfolds is still anybody's guess.
Borneo Post
13 hours ago
- Borneo Post
Earth, Wind & Fire Experience by Al McKay ignites RWMF 2025 night two
Members of Earth, Wind & Fire Experience by Al McKay, the second-day headliner, performing at RWMF 2025 last night. – Photo by Roystein Emmor KUCHING (June 22): Grammy Award-winning guitarist, songwriter, and original Earth, Wind & Fire (EWF) member Al McKay electrified the crowd last night as he led the Earth, Wind & Fire Experience by Al McKay, delivering a high-octane finale that lit up the second night of the Rainforest World Music Festival 2025. The crowd was taken on a musical journey through some of EWF's biggest hits, dancing to classics like 'Serpentine Fire', 'Pride', and 'Got to Get You into My Life'. More than just a tribute act, the band is a full-force funk and soul ensemble from the USA, channeling the iconic sound, energy, and joy that made Earth, Wind & Fire a global sensation. Every performance burst with tight horn lines, soaring vocals, and high-energy grooves, capturing the true spirit of EWF. The band's commitment to authenticity and showmanship made their RWMF set feel like stepping back in time, yet with all the excitement of a modern live show. For festivalgoers, it wasn't just a concert; it was a celebration of timeless music, brought to life beneath the starlit rainforest sky. The second night concert of RWMF 2025 began with Naungan from Malaysia, an instrumental ensemble that blends ethnic instruments such as the 'sape', 'gu zheng', 'tabla', 'sitar', and 'rebana' into a harmonious and soul-stirring showcase of Malaysia's multicultural identity. Then came Seppuku Pistols from Japan, who brought raw, thunderous energy to the stage. Dressed in traditional Edo-period attire, the ensemble used taiko drums and fue flutes to create a defiant, rebellious performance—part music, part protest, all impact. Next, Hawaiian trio Kulāiwi offered an emotional and spiritual journey through mele (songs), oli (chants), and lush harmonies rooted in the philosophy of aloha ʻāina (love for the land). Their performance invited the audience into a space of cultural memory and connection. Following that, Mathew Ngau Jau with Lan E Tuyang from Sarawak presented a stirring collaboration of indigenous music, dance, and storytelling. The group, made up of elders and youth from the Kenyah, Kayan, Iban, Lun Bawang, and Penan communities, delivered a heartfelt tribute to Sarawak's living heritage. Later, Buddha Beat & Sinaran Collective from Malaysia took the stage with a boundary-breaking blend of bamboo flute, electronic beats, and ambient soundscapes. Their genre-bending performance reflected both innovation and spiritual depth. Rob Ruha of New Zealand followed with his signature haka-soul sound, fusing Māori traditions with R&B and neo-soul. His deep vocals and storytelling brought powerful messages of ancestry, identity, and revival. The rhythm continued with Kuntaw Mindanao from the Philippines, an ethno-rock band that combined tribal percussion, native chants, and modern genres to highlight the stories of Mindanao's indigenous peoples. Their performance was both a call to action and a celebration of cultural resilience. Finally, the night peaked with Earth, Wind & Fire Experience by Al McKay, whose legendary sound and infectious energy turned the festival grounds into a massive dance floor. It was a finale filled with joy, rhythm, and nostalgia. Meanwhile, the finale of RWMF 2025 tonight promises another thrilling evening of music and cultural celebration. The lineup will consist of Buddha Beat ft Sinaran Collective from Malaysia, Kancet Ajai Warrior Dance (Sarawak), Manhu (China), Tal Fry (India), Buloh Berkocak (Sarawak), La Chiva Gantiva (Colombia & Belgium), and N'Famady Kouyaté (Guinea & UK). Capping off the night is At Adau, the highly anticipated final headliner from Sarawak, known for blending traditional Bornean sounds with contemporary energy. Al McKay earth Rainforest World Music Festival 2025 Wind & Fire Experience
Sinar Daily
2 days ago
- Sinar Daily
Disco fever set to take over KL with two nights of Bee Gees magic
Get ready to boogie down memory lane and groove to the iconic hits of the legendary Bee Gees. Bringing that iconic Bee Gees sound to life is the talented Saturday Night Bee Gees from the UK. - Photo by Milestone Production's management ARE you ready to relive the golden age of disco under the glittering lights of a spinning disco ball? Kuala Lumpur is about to turn up the groove as Saturday Night - Celebrating Bee Gees takes over Zepp Kuala Lumpur for two electrifying nights on July 31 and Aug 1, 2025. This high-energy tribute concert will transport audiences back to the era of bell-bottoms, big hair, and falsetto harmonies, celebrating the music of the five-time Grammy Award-winning Bee Gees. This upcoming concert dives headfirst into the Bee Gees' monumental discography spanning four decades. - Photo by Milestone Production's management Presented by Milestone Production, the concert promises a dazzling journey through the Bee Gees' iconic four-decade discography. From soulful early hits like Massachusetts and To Love Somebody to the pulsating energy of Jive Talkin, Stayin' Alive, and Night Fever, this show captures the very heartbeat of the disco era. The UK-based tribute band will bring the brothers' timeless sound to life with a six-piece ensemble renowned for their pitch-perfect harmonies and electric stage presence. Audiences can expect a night of nostalgia, complete with beloved hits such as How Deep Is Your Love, Tragedy, and You Win Again. It's more than a concert, it's an immersive experience filled with falsetto, funk, and feel-good vibes that will have you dancing from start to finish. Tickets for Saturday Night, Celebrating Bee Gees are on sale, priced range from RM198 (CAT C) to RM638 (Premium). - Photo by Milestone Production's management Tickets are now on sale, priced from RM198 (CAT C) to RM638 (Premium), with exclusive discounts of up to 25 per cent available for Maybank Cardmembers (terms and conditions apply). For a premium experience, Platinum Boxes for six guests are available at RM4,800. All ticket purchases are subject to a RM4 ticketing fee and RM10 transaction fee. Whether you're a lifelong fan or simply in the mood for a night of sparkling retro fun, this is one disco party you won't want to miss. More Like This
