Mo Willems Exhibit Opens At Long Island Children's Museum

UNIONDALE, NY — "The Pigeon Comes to Long Island! A Mo Willems Exhibit" makes its debut at the Long Island Children’s Museum in a new exhibit that runs through May 14. The exhibit, co-organized by Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh and the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, is inspired by the art and characters of the beloved children’s book author and illustrator, Mo Willems.

In selecting this exhibit, LICM was focused on instilling a love of reading in its visitors. “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,” said 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.”

Familiar characters are featured in the exhibit, including best friend duo Elephant and Piggie, faithful companion Knuffle Bunny, The Pigeon, the wily city bird best known for his antics in "Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!"

Activities will give visitors the opportunity to make art that is inspired by Mo Willems and to learn about the rich social and emotional lives of the author’s characters. The exhibit will also feature illustrations, including sketches and other preliminary materials, by Willems.

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.

Visitors to the Children’s Museum will be able to spend lots of time with Willems’ characters as the LICM Theater will 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!" (Feb. 11-March 25) to complement the exhibit experience. Performances will be offered for both family and school audiences.