Note: I accessed digital review copies of this book through Edelweiss and NetGalley. ( )

Light cute funny story. Could be used as a mentor text for teaching persuasive writing. Read story to students. Re-read the letter. Use the lettter as a mentor text for students own writing. Prepare slips of paper with animals (enough for each student) and a problem (enough) and once they have an animal and a problem they write a persuasive letter of how to solve it to the "mayor". ( )

This appears to be a child's picture book, but I feel it is more relevant to middle grades and those learning about democracy, social justice, respect for differences etc. Dr. Coo is a rather smart pigeon. Each day, he and his friends meet on the wires or buildings to visit. When a young pigeon, Hootie Claw speaks up about the lack of respect pigeons receive, the others agree. Dr. Coo talks about how pigeons used to be respected and revered and the others want to know what they can do to bring this back. A peaceful protest, a request explaining what they want and a happy ending finish up the story. It is a simple way to outline some important issues facing the world today and ways to deal with them. A teacher could use this text to introduce some important topics, but again, I believe this book would work best with students from grade 5 to 8. It could be used to spark classroom discussions on respecting differences, working out disagreements, or stepping up to counter injustice, all important subjects for the budding self-awareness and personal development of young children. It also aligns with character education. A nice addition to school and classroom libraries. The publisher generously provided me with a copy of this book via Netgalley. ( )

The pictures are this books strength, they are colorful and the characters have expressive features. The double page spread about pigeons in wartime are appropriately sepia color. The story is just a bit wordy and the print is too small for the big, colorful pages. This book would pair nicely with 'Stop Feedin' Da Boids', another book about pigeons in the city. ( )

A sweet little offering from Sarah Hampson and Kass Reich, Dr Coo and the Pigeon Protest is a reminder to treat the wild life in our cities with respect.

Dr.Archibald Coo is an old soul, he loves to fly around the city, stopping to perch on the statues and observe all the life busily going by. He notices there is a problem, a big problem vocalized by a young pigeon named Hootie Claw. Pigeons get no respect in the city, they get shooed and run over, and kicked at. Dr. Coo remembers a time when pigeons and people coexisted in harmony, helping each other so along with the other pigeons, they decide to stage a protest.

A gentle reminder that we share our cities with many different people and many different animals. As much as many of these animals can be a nuisance, who hasn’t woken up to the aftermath of the raccoons midnight buffet, we need to respect that animals live among us and we need to find and create spaces for these animals and ourselves so we can again live in harmony. Sarah Hampson has the pigeons leave us with a very important thought, “When you are loved, you can love in return”. What a beautiful reminder that all living beings need love. The illustrations by Kass Reich are brilliant and eye catching. She creates the most beautiful pigeons, capturing their unique differences and their beautiful colouring, You really feel as if you are on the streets and in the parks of your own city, no matter where you live. ( )