Last summer, I posted about an adorable new character, Jody Schaefer and illustrator Claire Messer’s Busy Bus, introduced to us in IT’S YOUR FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL, BUSY BUS! (Beach Lane Books). In that first outing, Busy Bus’s worries mirror that of a new kindergartner as he struggles with first-day jitters. Plus, kiddos got to see all the behind-the-scenes steps that happen before the bus rolls in to pick them up. Very cool.
So I was happy to hear that Busy Bus is coming back September 3rd, and this time he’s taking the kids on a field trip to the fire station, where he experiences his first bout with jealousy.
After all, how can he compare to the impressive Engine 4? He’s red. He’s shiny. He’s huge. (Pronouns my own.) As anyone can see, the children LOVE Engine 4. And, THE THINGS HE CAN DO! Save people. Carry water hoses and ladders. Make loud WEE-OOO WEE-OOO WEE-OOO sounds (so fun to read aloud!).
What I love about these books is that Busy Bus has perfectly child-like emotions, emotions kiddos might not even recognize in themselves until seeing them in Busy Bus.
And when BB eventually realizes that everybody has their own talents—that he can, in fact, do things Engine 4 cannot—it’s so satisfying for kiddos.
The simple, spot-on story + Claire Messer’s sunny, color-saturated illustrations = a preschool/kindergarten storytime winner! Pre-order now!
Or maybe you’ll win one! We’re giving away an autographed copy of IT’S A FIELD TRIP, BUSY BUS! to one lucky reader. All you have to do is comment below. (Winner must live in the continental U.S.)
Can you think of other field trip books to pair with Busy Bus?
Attention, midwest picture book writers/illustrators! Have you heard about the SCBWI-IA retreat this coming October 25-27 in Cedar Rapids? These smaller state conferences provide AMAZING opportunities to get your work in front of business pros, not to mention ample time for schmoozing! Look at this lineup: https://iowa.scbwi.org/events/writing-retreat/
Thanks for sharing about this darlingly illustrated book. Your review made me think more about how non-human characters can provide a safe distance and model for kids to look at their own emotions.
Thanks for commenting, Colleen. So true!
What a wonderful story for kids and adults. It’s important to remember we all have different talents and are unique. This brings us together. Comparing separates us. I love Busy Bus!
A great lesson for kiddos, Sheri…without feeling like a lesson.
Enjoy this field trip, Jodi, Claire and Busy Bus!
Thanks, Lynne Marie! We will!
What a great way to show how our unique abilities make us all special! Congratulations to Jody, Claire and Busy Bus!!
Thank you, Judy!
Sounds like an adorable book!
Busy Bus’s facial expressions — who’d think you could do that with a BUS?!
Claire Messer is a genius!
I love the original BUSY BUS and its relatability to young kids. How wonderful to have a sequel!
I thought so, too! And I got the feeling there might be ANOTHER. !!!
Thank you, Kathy! I hope you like FIELD TRIP, too!
Jill, thank you for sharing this book! Sounds like a winner for the early education age cohort!
I think so, too, Mary! Going to share it with my 3- and 4-year-old, bus-crazed grands!
Thanks, Mary and Jill! If you get a picture of the event, send it to me, and I’ll post it on Twitter!
What a fun book! Perfect! I can’t think of any other field trip books per say, but what about singing (and reading, several book versions reside in my library) “The Wheels on the Bus?” That would tie in nicely. Thanks for sharing.
Yes, Angie! Singing Wheels on the Bus would be perfect for getting kids fired up for this one. 🙂
Ooh, great tie in, Angie!
This looks so sweet!
Just right for preschoolers, Katie. 🙂
Thanks, Katie!
This looks so cute, Jill!
So glad we finally got to meet!!
Me, too, Maria. What a pleasure. Finally!
Such a sweet book…I have to meet Busy Bus!
You DO, Kathy!
Let me know what you think, Kathy!
A perfect book to share with young children!
And so fun to have TWO of them with the same character!
Busy Bus does experience emotions that everyone does at some time and the message of finding your own place/talent is an excellent one to share with readers.
Agreed, Danielle. Yet it never feels lesson-y. That’s a win!
Thanks, Danielle and Jill!
What a fun book to read to a child. Love the primary colors. Red and Yellow!
Yes, Claire M keeps it simple and bright. Perfect for a group read-aloud!
Agree! There’s a street scene in FIELD TRIP where more colors are introduced. It’s a nice counter-point to the primary colors in the rest of the book.
this sounds like a super cute book, love how it deals with emotions and coming around them.
i dont live in the US but i can provide my sisters address for sure!
Perfect, Marzieh! I’ll make sure you’re in the running.
Good luck, Marzieh!
I love that Busy Bus is so relatable! 🙂
I can relate to that, T!
Thanks, Tammi! 🙂
I love Busy Bus! I’m excited for his newest adventure. I think I’d pair It’s a Field Trip, Busy Bus! with Are We There Yeti? by Ashlyn Anstee.
Oh! Hadn’t thought of that one, Allison. Good idea!
Great idea, Allison!
I am a big fan of IT’s YOUR FIRST DAY BUSY BUS and read it aloud to all kindergarten classes last year as a guest reader. I already pre-ordered IT’S A FIELD TRIP BUSY BUS but would love to donate to my school library. Love the message!
I am a big fan of IT’s YOUR FIRST DAY BUSY BUS and read it aloud to all kindergarten classes last year as a guest reader. I already pre-ordered IT’S A FIELD TRIP BUSY BUS but would love to donate to my school library. Love the message!
Excellent, Laura!
Aww, Laura, thanks so much! I appreciate you sharing it with your kids!
I adore books like this where children can relate to the emotions of the characters even when they’re things like vehicles!
(I don’t live in the US but in the event of winning would love to gift a signed copy to a US-dwelling friend with young kids!)
Thanks, Helen. I’ll make sure you’re in the running!
I’ll look and see if the original Busy Bus is read aloud. I have a call with my granddaughter this week and this would be the best book to read.
It’s adorable, Sue. A good one to share via Skype!
I love that you read books with your granddaughter from afar, Susan! There are lots of sound words in the original book, so get your vocal chords loosened up!
I enjoyed the first one! I have the Busy Bus poster greeting my students into our classroom! Can’t wait to read this one!
Oh, my gosh. I’ll make sure Jody hears about that poster! 🙂
I did! I did! Yay! Tell the kids hi!
Thanks for the great review, Jill. This new Bust Bus adventure sounds fun!
Thanks, Mary. I’m so impressed with what Jody can do with so few words. I need to study that!
Thanks, Mary! You’ll love Claire’s illustrations!
Congrats on the book! Looks adorable.
Thank you, Susan! 🙂
Really enjoyed Busy Bus’s first adventure so I will be on the lookout for this one. Thanks for sharing, Jill.
You’re very welcome, LeeAnn!
Let me know what you think, LeeAnn!
This looks so sweet, and the bold beautiful illustrations are adorable! Thanks for sharing with us, Jill!
You’re welcome, Eliza! Thanks for reading. 🙂
Thanks, Eliza! Claire Messer is brilliant!
Finally catching up on my PBB reading. 🙂 This looks like a real charmer! Thanks, Jill!