The Wheels on the School Bus (Hardcover)

~ Mary-alice Moore (Author), Laura Huliska-beith (Illustrator)

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 1–An energetic adaptation of a traditional song. Bright cartoons with collage details capture various students and staff as they travel on the school bus. The usual suspects are here, from children, teachers, and the librarian to the nurse and a female coach. On the final spread, the driver switches hats to become the principal and welcomes the excited crowd to his school. The lyrics are clever and, for the most part, fit the melody well. The librarian urges the students to Read, read, read!...Read more books! and the custodian says, Mop, mop mop! Sweep, sweep, sweep!...Clean this mess! The lunch ladies verse crams a few too many syllables into each line, but the extra effort is repaid in the illustration–two lunch ladies (one cuddly, one intimidating) serve up spaghetti, hamburgers, and bowls of green goo, while the librarian holds up a book with a recipe for glop. Lyrics and music are included on the last page. This book is a surefire winner, combining a wildly popular song with the enduring appeal of the school bus, and bringing it all to life with madcap pictures.–Suzanne Myers Harold, Multnomah County Library System, Portland, OR
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

K-Gr. 2. The toddler favorite, "The Wheels on the Bus," receives a chipper facelift in this singalong picture book. Instead of the traditional lyrics' mechanical maneuvers, Moore's rendition spotlights the patter of school employees who commute with the kids: "The librarian on the bus says 'Read, read, read! Books, books, books! Read, read, read!' The librarian on the bus says, 'Read more books!' All the way to school." The fact that the refrains conform to a less predictable pattern than the original may initially cause children to stumble, but there's great fun in the notion of school authority figures riding the bus--an element played up in the antic gouache-and-collage paintings of grown-ups wreaking havoc as an indulgent driver (later revealed to be the principal) looks on. Don't expect this parody to reinforce rules of bus-riding safety, but do expect little ones to want to hear, and sing, it more than once. Jennifer Mattson
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins (July 3, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060594276
• ISBN-13: 978-0060594275
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 9.1 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #611,827 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Wheels on the School Bus, December 16, 2006

By	Amy Baisley (Fairfield, CT) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book is fun! It has fabulous pictures and unexpected words to a familiar song. My kindergartener loved reading it especially at the beginning of the year when she was getting on a bus for the first time. This book is a great addition to any youngster's library.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars hysterical play on an old favorite, should provide lots of giggling, July 27, 2006

By	LO lover of books "LO lover of books" - See all my reviews

The Wheels on the Bus: This is an amusing take on the bus song every child knows. The teachers are silly, sometimes bad and always funny! The kids are surprised, freaked out and amazed at various points. Its' a story any kid whose ridden a bus to school will love. The book has lots of surprises and wonderful illustrations. I especially enjoyed the bus dashboard with it's Flotation Device and Eject button!
Get this book for your young reader or read it until they can on their own.
LO

5.0 out of 5 stars My 16 month old begs be to read this every day!, July 1, 2009

By	Carrie A. Van Genderen - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

My 16 month old boy absolutely loves this book! I do my best to sing it to him and it is quite fun. I keep it on a high shelf so he's not tempted to tear the pages and I find him pointing to it saying "bus, bus". The illustrations are brightly colored. Highly recommend!