Latest news with #MoWillems
Washington Post
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Washington Post
Kids author Mo Willems and The Pigeon stare down the future in a new book
NEW YORK — 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.
Associated Press
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Associated Press
Kids author Mo Willems and The Pigeon stare down the future in a new book
NEW YORK (AP) — 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. AP: 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. AP: 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.' AP: Mr. Pigeon, what is your favorite 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. AP (to Willems): 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. AP: 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. AP: 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?
CBS News
02-05-2025
- CBS News
Police in Elgin, Illinois emphasize difference made by autism awareness
The number of people diagnosed with autism continues to grow, and for police departments, that means an increased likelihood their officers will encounter someone on the spectrum. With that in mind, a statewide initiative in Illinois is focusing on making sure the interactions end positively. CBS News Chicago visited as Elgin police officers were in the midst of an autism awareness training exercise. An officer was reading the children's book, "Let's Go for a Drive!" by Mo Willems, but he was screaming the words instead of reading them quietly. Another officer sat in a chair, while a third tickled his face with red feathers. A second officer was speaking with a book in hand, but was drowned out. What in the world was all this about? It may sound absurd, but it's actually something very important. Stefan Bjes, owner of Blue Line Spectrum Safety, explained. "This is what I mean about sensory overload," Bjes said. "So this is the way someone with autism is seeing their environment." Illinois Senate Bill 3201 made such autism awareness training mandatory for police as of Jan. 1. "It's a wonderful thing, and it's long overdue," said Bjes. Bjes has spent the last six years teaching first responders about autism through his company. He is a former law enforcement officer himself, and a dad with two boys on the autism spectrum. Bjes is trying to flip the script on tragic stories like one out of Pocatello, Idaho just a few weeks ago. Victor Perez, 17 — who was described as nonverbal, autistic and intellectually disabled and also had cerebral palsy — was shot by officers after stepping toward them with a knife when he had been told to drop it. Perez later died. It was another tragic case involving police and a person with autism. "We don't want to be the next YouTube video that goes viral for something negative," Bjes said. "We want to be the positive thing." A better understanding of the disorder can help officers detect it, and get creative about how to calm a situation. "It could be limiting the number of officers on the scene," said. "It could be turning down our radios; if you went lights and sirens, reducing that." One exercise in the autism awareness training simulates the experience of nonverbal children and adults. An officer stands in the front of the room and tries to communicate without words. Difficulty sharing a message may cause nonverbal people frustration. "We can really offset that by using communication strategies as visuals, or, I tell officers, we all carry a pen and piece of paper on us, in our notebooks, in our vests," said Bjes. "It'd be as simple as writing back and forth." Some Illinois departments are voluntarily implementing other tools to help officers interact with the autism community. In Elgin, every squad car contains a sensory kit — with items such as stress balls to help calm subjects with autism down. The kits also contain headphones and dry-erase boards. "Something to take their mind off of, you know, the things that they're going through, so that we're able to communicate effectively," said Elgin police Detective Chad Benavidez. Elgin police also just launched the Blue Envelope Program. Drivers with autism can store important documents inside. In a checklist intended for police officers, the envelope explains that the driver may exhibit signs of anxiety due to bright lights and noises, display repetitive body movements or fidgeting, and have unusual response to authority figures, among t other concerns. "As soon as they see this, it's that prompt," said Elgin police Chief Ana Lalley. "It's a very visual prompt of 'OK, I need to slow this down.'" Lalley is proud of the steps her team has taken — including co-hosting a recent autism acceptance celebration to demonstrate an understanding of the disability. "When you humanize not only the officers but the community in which you police, that's where the magic happens," Lalley said. Elgin police have been taking autism awareness classes for the past few years. The new law that mandates autism awareness training for police says officers need to complete a course every three years.
USA Today
23-04-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Why we love Martin House Books, a 'cherished gathering place' in Rhode Island
Why we love Martin House Books, a 'cherished gathering place' in Rhode Island Independent bookstores are the heartbeats of their communities. They provide culture and community, generate local jobs and sales tax revenue, promote literacy and education, champion and center diverse and new authors, connect readers to books in a personal and authentic way and actively support the right to read and access to books in their communities. Each week we profile an independent bookstore, sharing what makes each one special and getting their expert and unique book recommendations. This week we have Gretchen Miller, owner of Martin House Books in Westerly, Rhode Island. What's your store's story? I was proud to open this bookstore a year ago. My mother owned a bookstore for 35 years, and it has been my joy to continue that tradition. This bookstore has become a cherished gathering place for everyone, from authors finding inspiration to parents connecting after drop-off and retirees enjoying coffee or lunch. What makes your independent bookstore unique? Many customers have shared that they love the welcoming atmosphere of our store. While the white oak shelves and tin ceiling create a beautiful space, my staff and I have worked hard to cultivate a warm and inviting environment for everyone. It's truly heartwarming that Martin House Books has become a second home to some in our community. Westerly boasts a vibrant arts community, and Martin House Books is proud to support local artists through our small, rotating "Above The Books" gallery. What's your favorite section in your store? The entire second floor of Martin House Books is dedicated to children's literature. I have carefully curated a collection of beloved and cherished books from childhoods' past. Visitors often delight in finding their old favorites, which they can now share with their own children. Instilling a love of reading early in life is so important. What book do you love to recommend to customers and why? My book recommendations vary depending on which section of the store you're in. For parents, I often suggest the "Elephant and Piggie" series by Mo Willems as it helps children understand sentence punctuation. And for anyone looking for a cozy read, I always recommend books by TJ Klune. Summer is fast approaching, and I'm eagerly anticipating the influx of lighthearted beach reads that always accompany the season. I believe that now, more than ever, people could use the uplifting escape that authors like Emily Henry and Lucy Score provide so well. Why is shopping at local, independent bookstores important? Supporting local businesses is crucial, especially in these times. When you shop locally, you're directly contributing to the local economy, which benefits your neighbors, friends, and community as a whole. By choosing local options, you can also see firsthand the positive impact of your spending. What are some of your store's events, programs, or partnerships coming up that you would like to share? I'm pleased to announce that in the coming months, we will be partnering with two Westerly organizations: nonprofit organization the United Theater and The Ocean House Hotel. We will be hosting author events at both locations. Additionally, we are fulfilling a significant number of orders for our local school systems.
