The Pigeon Comes to Long Island! A Mo Willems Exhibit, inspired by the art and characters of beloved children’s book author and illustrator, Mo Willems, is now open at Long Island Children’s Museum. The exhibit, co-organized by Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh and the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, runs through May 14.
Photo courtesy of Alan Miller Public Relations
Kids will notice familiar characters from Mo Willems’ books, such as best friend duo Elephant and Piggie, faithful companion Knuffle Bunny, and The Pigeon, the wily city bird best known for his antics in Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! In this play-and-learn exhibit visitors can:
- Have a hilarious conversation in the voices of Elephant, Gerald, and Piggie at a double-sided phone booth.
- Make Elephant and Piggie dance with old-time animation.
- Put on a wearable bus and take a drive through the exhibit.
- Spin the laundromat washing machine and uncover Knuffle Bunny and other surprises
- Dress up Naked Mole Rat and send him down the runway for a one-of-a-kind fashion show.
- Stack lightweight blocks to create their own terrible monster or funny friend.
- Launch foam hot dogs at the Pigeon and play the plinko game to give the Duckling a cookie.
- Try out techniques that Mo uses for his own books.
- Learn about the rich social and emotional lives of the author’s characters.
- View illustrations, including sketches and other preliminary materials, by Mo Willems.
Theatrical productions
The LICM Theater will also feature Elephant & Piggie’s “We are in a Play!” (April 23 – June 3) along with Willem’s newest production Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! The Musical! (February 11-March 25) to complement the exhibit experience.
Photo courtesy of Alan Miller Public Relations
The Pigeon Comes to Long Island! A Mo Willems Exhibit focuses on instilling in LICM’s young visitors a love of reading. “Mo Willems’ books are frequently the starting point for a child to understand the power of choice they hold in what to read… and reread,” explains LICM Director of Education Aimee Terzulli. “Willems creates characters that are playful and curious and funny, which gets children invested in wanting to spend more time with them as they choose to read more of his popular stories.”
Long Island Children’s Museum is located at 11 Davis Avenue in Garden City. The museum is open Tuesday - Sunday, 10am - 5pm and Presidents Day, Monday, February 20. Exhibit is included with admission, which is $17 per person for non-members and free for Members. For more information on the exhibit, visit the LICM website.
