Rating: 1-5 (5 is an excellent or a Starred review) 3
Genre: Picture Book
What did you like about the book? This book fits a need to help prepare a young child going to school on a school bus for the first time. A friendly and diverse group of children help Nina learn school bus rules and safety after a near mishap because she is running late. It covers all behavioral rules from waiting and boarding the bus, to the actual ride and then lining up to leave.
Anything you didn’t like about it? I personally thought starting the story by nearly missing the bus and getting in an accident was disturbing for a young child anticipating their first time riding the school bus. A child looking forward to the first day of school may already be anxious enough.
To whom would you recommend this book? A parent, preschool teacher or guardian preparing their preschooler for the bus ride to kindergarten.
Who should buy this book? Public libraries, daycare providers, parents of young children riding a school bus.
Where would you shelve it? Picture books
Should we (librarians/readers) put this on the top of our “to read” piles? If it suits a need in your district or home.
Reviewer’s Name, Library (or school), City and State: Sandy Kelly, JV Fletcher Library Westford, MA retired School Librarian in Carlisle, MA.