After a long road trip, “The Pigeon Comes to Pittsburgh!: A Mo Willems Exhibit” has returned to the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh.

Based on the “Pigeon” children’s book series by award-winning author/illustrator Mo Willems, the exhibit runs until May 8 in the facility at 10 Children’s Way in the North Side.

Starting with “Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!” from 2003, the book series puts the title character into different situations in which he and young listeners learn a lesson. The Pigeon makes an appearance in Willems’ other books too.

“The Pigeon Comes to Pittsburgh!” debuted at the Children’s Museum in 2018 and has traveled to more than eight locations throughout North America.

The exhibit gives children and families opportunities to explore activities and settings from Willems’ books featuring not only the Pigeon, but also best friends Elephant and Piggie and faithful companion Knuffle Bunny.

“Our collaboration with Mo Willems continues to inspire curiosity, creativity and joy at Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh and beyond,” said museum executive director Jane Werner. “We are delighted to welcome back this exhibit that features some of the most loved children’s book characters, and can’t wait for kids and families to explore and imagine what can be in the Mo Willems universe.”

Visitors have opportunities to make Willems-inspired art and learn about the social and emotional lives of the author’s characters. The exhibit also features prints of Willems’ illustrations, including sketches and other preliminary materials.

“The museum continues to have a regular collaboration with (Willems) and our team continues to check in with him,” said Max Pipman, the museum’s director of communications. “We hope to do more exhibits with him in the future.

“His characters are some of the most well-known and beloved of visitors to the Children’s Museum and its education center,” he added.

A limited number of signed copies of Willem’s latest book, “Opposites Attract,” are available in the museum’s Little Orange Store, Pipman noted. The book explores opposites in a nontraditional way through 18 abstract images.

Daily hours return

Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh is open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesdays-Sundays through Jan. 31. Beginning Feb. 1, the museum will be open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily. The adjacent MuseumLab is open noon-5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.

A return to daily hours “has been a long time coming,” Pipman said. “We are very excited to be able to reach more kids and families again.”

Advance tickets are strongly encouraged as capacity is limited. Masks are required for all guests age 2 and older and social distancing is enforced. Masks may be removed while eating or drinking in the museum café.

For more information, call 412-322-5058, email hi@pittsburghkids.org or visit pittsburghkids.org.

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