A birthday is a lot to handle when the guest of honor is the Pigeon. Mo Willems hands his bird a hat, a hot dog cake and one big surprise.

Readical Key Points

• A Pigeon picture book, written and illustrated by Mo Willems
• For ages 4 to 6 (preschool to grade 1)
• Subjects: birthdays, sharing, friendship and big feelings
• Starred review from School Library Journal; also reviewed in Kirkus Reviews
• Hardcover, 40 pages (Union Square Kids, 2026)

The Pigeon arrives with his hat on and a hot dog cake waiting, impatient to get to the presents. The story builds toward a birthday surprise he did not plan for and asks young readers whether he can take it in stride. Told with the humor of the series, it touches on sharing, friendship and the feelings that come with a day meant to be all about you.

It suits families who already know the Pigeon, preschool and kindergarten classrooms, and birthday story times at home or in the library. The hat and the cake were easy. The surprise is the part that takes some handling.

About the Author and Illustrator

Mo Willems is a #1 New York Times bestselling author and illustrator. His picture books have earned three Caldecott Honors and an Eisner Award, and his Elephant & Piggie early readers two Theodor Seuss Geisel Medals and five Geisel Honors. His first picture book, Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!, is in the Picture Book Hall of Fame. He started out writing and animating for Sesame Street, earning six Emmy Awards.

Condition: Brand New and Readical Ready.

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