This is just a cute and fun book that readers of all ages will enjoy. If you are a Batman fan, you will probably enjoy it even more. In essence, the book is a parody of the book Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus. I'll be honest. I had to look up that fact because this book's cover says it is a parody but it does not say what it parodies. So unless you knew the other book, you'd have no idea. Having said that, the fact it parodies another book does not matter. This book stands on its own just fine.

(See link for my full review on my blog, goes live 8/2/19)

MAD: Don't Let the Penguin Drive the Batmobile by Jacob Lambert is a parody of the children's book Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus by Mo Williams. I'm unfamiliar with this children's book, and that may have affected my verdict for this one. I just don't get it. It felt kinda pointless. I'm an adult though, and I read this again with my youngest nieces and nephews who LOVED it. So, I'd certainly recommend it as great addition to any young child's picture book collection.

***Many thanks to the Netgalley and DC Entertainment for providing an egalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

I received this book in exchange for a honest review from NetGalley.

This is a very cute parody of the pigeon books, Overall it is cute and inventive but without much substance.

As a huge Mo Willems fan, I really didn’t want to like this parody, but I couldn’t help myself. It’s a fantastic mash-up of classic Batman tropes paired with Willem’s style in illustration, text, and voice.

It was a great shared reading experience for my son (who loves Batman) and myself (who loves Willems).

When my kids were little, I must have read Mo Willems's Don't Let The Pigeon Drive The Bus one hundred times, and that's not including the two sequels we owned, as well. However, I never minded because the story was so cute and on point (the pigeon behaved like a toddler), that it was entertaining. It was short, with only a few words per page and some very simple illustrations. I liked it, and my kids liked it.

Enter Don't Let the Penguin Drive the Batmobile by Jacob Lambert. First, I'm a huge Batman fan. Second, as I mentioned, I have fond memories of reading Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus. So, when I had the opportunity to read and review this book, I jumped at the chance. The verdict? Don't Let the Penguin Drive the Batmobile is FANTASTIC!

Lambert perfectly captures the tone and style of Willems's classic. The Penguin acts just like the pigeon, hence he acts like a toddler. The way Penguin asks to drive and the emotions that go with it echo perfectly the original book. The pacing is similar and many of the story beats are the same. Additionally, Lambert manages to slip in many familiar Batman characters (Commissioner Gordon, Joker, etc.) to add to the fun.

The art is also picture perfect. Tom Richmond has emulated Willems's style. The simple, almost child-like drawing make the characters very kid friendly and charming.

Don't Let the Penguin Drive the Batmobile by Jacob Lambert is an absolute winner. More than just a spoof, it can be seen as a loving tribute to a children's classic. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book, and I'm a little sad that my kids are no longer young enough to ask me to read it to them nightly. I highly recommend this, particularly if you are a parent and Batman fan. This would also make a nice gift to young Batman fans.

I received a preview copy of this book from Mad Magazine and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This book was SO CUTE! It was PERFECT for this time of year too, what with NYCC happening and all of my co-workers discussing it. Guess who will be getting this book for Christmas, lol! Well, their children will, but it is a cute read for the parents too, especially if they are 1) into comics and 2) have had to read the original version of this to their children umpteen times. Not negging the original, that book is awesome too, but I am sure that if one is familiar with the source material, this one will be all the funnier to the parent reading it.

4 solid, no you CANNOT drive the Batmobile, stars!

My thanks to NetGalley and DC Entertainment/MAD for an eARC copy of this book to read and review.

While I enjoyed the parody, I think this has limited appeal to readers familiar with both works. However, I can think of a few DC-fandom parents who would enjoy this title after all the Mo Willems they read at bedtime! An additional purchase.

This book is quite funny and of course follows the structure of the Pigeon books. I think young folks will like the book given it ties into popular culture. I also think this book is useful to teach finding inspiration in other folks writing and how to make a story your own.

Don't Let the Penguin Drive the Batmobile will play best to an unfortunately small number of people--those who are both intimately familiar with Mo Willems' Pigeon series and with the lore behind Batman and the Penguin villain. Though the intersection of those is well executed, it feels much more likely that Mo Willems fans and Batman fans are going to pick up this book and be confused by the inclusion of the other, rather than amused by the format.

This is the first Mad DC comics spoof of a children's book that I have liked. Its not a great read, but it was enjoyable and lightly amusing. Fans of DC and fans of the children's book, "Don't let the pigeon drive the bus". will probably enjoy this.
Tip: If you have children, you have to read the original interactive book by Mo Willems with your youngster at least once. Your children will thank you....and you'll appreciate this spoof more after you do.

In this parody of the Mo Willem's classic Pigeon series, Penguin tries to convince the reader to let him drive the Batmobile. This book will be loved by children and adult superhero fans alike!

Mad Magazine continues its assault on "beloved" classic children's books with Don't Let the Penguin Drive the Batmobile. Batman asks the reader to keep an eye on the Batmobile while he is off fighting crime. He specifically ask that Penguin not be allowed to drive it. Penguin then keeps asking in multiple creative ways that he be allowed to drive it, or at least sit in it. When Batman returns and drives off, Penguin's wandering eye spots another means of transportation that he want to try out. A fun mash-up of a read for all ages!

Thanks Netgalley for the opportunity to review this title.

Don't Let the Penguin Drive the Batmobile
by Jacob Lambert
DC Entertainment
MAD

“Don’t Let the Penguin Drive the Batmobile” is a delightful parody of Mo Willems’ modern classic, “Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus.” While familiarity with the original book adds to the experience, this book is funny and interesting enough to stand on its own. This book is a great selection for kids who love superheroes and silly stories. One of the less obvious benefits of this book is that it helps show kids what it feels to be on the receiving end of nagging. And that is truly priceless.

Super cute and fun retelling of don't let the pigeon drive the bus. I love how MAD kept if appropriate for the same age of kid who loves Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus.

A take on the Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus series, Penguin is begging you to let him drive the Batmobile. You have to stay strong for Batman, even though Penguin is very convincing.

Any younger fan of Batman, will love this "100% Unathorized" version of the Pigeon series.

A fun take on the pigeon books and Batman, with the Brave and the Bold mining the Batman world for humor, this is a great book for bringing that world to kids.

This was a pretty straightforward parody of "Don't Let The Pigeon Drive the Bus" by Mo Willems. The artwork copies his style very well. Pretty much all of the major characters in the Batman comics make an appearance. It was a cute story,but I didn't feel wowed by it. Still, would make a cute gift.

I want this book! It is a parody of a well known book about a bus and a pigeon, and it totally works. It’s quick, it’s funny, it has almost the entire DC Batman crew make an appearance. This is a great bedtime story for all ages of Batman fanatics.

I read this to my children and they loved it. They know the Mo Willems book so they immediately started saying NO! every page. It is a cute book for those that are fans of Batman.

A very cute little parody that perfectly blends the world of the Dark Knight with Mo Willems together into a work that is perfect for any young Batman fan or nerdy parent to read at bedtime.