All Rise...

Judge David Johnson found a hot dog. In the Dumpster. He is a bum.

The Charge

Bully for you pigeon!

The Case

Scholastic comes out with another collection of read-alongs and it wisely headlines its offering with one of the greatest titles ever for a children's book. Three stories here, all written by author Mo Willems:

• "The Pigeon Finds a Hot Dog"
Voiced by Mo and Trixie Willems

So this pigeon finds a hot dog. And this small bird wants it. And the pigeon struggles with sharing because he wants to eat the whole hot dog. But eventually he relents and it's nitrates for everyone!

• "Knuffle Bunny Too: A Case of Mistaken Identity"
Voiced by Mo and Trixie Willems

Trixie has something called a knuffle bunny that she's excited to share with her classmates. But to her horror, there's another girl with anther knuffle bunny who's going to steal her thunder. Can she defeat the encroaching specter of brutal envy?

• "Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed"
Voiced by Mo and Trixie Willems and…Cher!

Wilbur, the naked mole rat, feels alienated from the rest of the naked mole rat community. He has an affinity for getting dressed and that doesn't sit well with the others. Sounds like there's a lesson to be learned about acceptance.

The Pigeon Finds a Hot Dog is a nice change-of-pace collection, and not just because there are stories from the most recent millennium. Mo Willems has a nice touch with this stuff, crafting unique, energetic, engaging tales that are gleefully animated. While there are only three stories on the discs, they clock in at about ten minutes each.

The DVD: full frame, 2.0 stereo, an interview with Mo Willems, a featurette on the author and a behind-the-scenes look at the animation process.

The Verdict

Not Guilty. Maybe some day you too will be able to find a hot dog.

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