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The Wheels on the School Bus
Footballs tossed in the air! Lunches scattered and drawings splattered! Hop on this big yellow bus for a crazy, rollicking ride on which the grown-ups are the troublemakers while the kids are the ones trying to sit still. Laura Huliska-Beith creates a wonderfully zany world of bright color and chaos for a unique variation of the familiar song "The Wheels on the Bus."
32 pages, Hardcover
First published July 1, 2006
2 people are currently reading
58 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
August 29, 2022
Layla loved this one and so did I! There was even a librarian on the bus!! 💙 will read again.
March 18, 2015
This fun twist on the familiar Wheels on the Bus is great for a back-to-school sing along. Love the verse about the librarian: "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."
June 7, 2019
This is definitely a beginning book. The words are repetitive, mainly because it is written after the song, and high frequency. It has a catchy rhythm and can keep kids engaged. I LOVE the illutrations though. That makes the book for me. They are done multimedia style collage. They're a lot of fun.
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December 5, 2019This book would be great for young children. It is a fun spin off of the traditional wheels on the bus.
June 15, 2022
This book is a clever and new twist on the original. I really enjoyed reading/singing it
to my granddaughter. It held her attention.
to my granddaughter. It held her attention.
February 16, 2016
Title: The Wheels on the School Bus
Author: Mary-Alice Moore
Illustrator: Laura Huliska-Beith
Genre: Predictable Book
Theme(s): School Buses, Music
Opening Line/sentence:
The wheels on the bus go round and round,
Round and round, round and round.
Brief Book Summary:
The school bus goes around picking up everyone on his or her way to school. First it stops to pick up the students then proceeds to pick up various people who work at the school including the teachers, coach, and librarian just to name a few. This book puts a new spin on the classic song the “The Wheels on the Bus Go Round and Round” to make it easily said in rhythm and a memorable trip to school.
Professional Recommendation/Review #1:
Ilene S. Goldman (Children's Literature)
This is a delightful take on the classic children s song The Wheels on the Bus. In Mary-Alice Moore’s version the bus is a big yellow school bus populated by teachers who lead the festivities. The coach on the bus says, Catch, catch, catch! Throw, throw, throw, throw! The coach on the bus says, Throw, throw, throw! All the way to school. The teacher’s antics are hilariously illustrated by Laura Huliska-Beith, illustrator of the favorite Aunt Lucy Went to Buy a Hat. Readers are invited to join in the fun (as if they could resist) with a page of sheet music at the end which collects Moore’s frolicking new lyrics all on one page. This is definitely a fun way to kick off the school year.
Professional Recommendation/Review #2:
Kirkus (Kirkus Reviews, June 1, 2006 (Vol. 74, No. 11))
In this high-energy reworking of the familiar sing-along ditty, it's a school bus that also picks up a crowd of teachers, lunch ladies and other school employees: "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." In the bright, busy illustrations, rowdy grownups run up and down the aisles and hang out of the windows, while the children first look on bemusedly, then get into the act themselves. Real lunch ladies might feel dissed, seeing their counterparts here dishing up green "Glop." Not only are some lines packed with extra syllables, but the pattern of repetition isn't always predictable, making this version less infectious than the original. Still, a lively alternative to the old chestnut, it merits an audience.
Response to Two Professional Reviews:
Both reviews commented on the brightly drawn illustrations that comically show the hustle and bustle of a trip on the school bus. To show how clever the descriptions of the school employees are, both reviewers directly quote a boarding employee’s response. I agree with both reviews that the familiar tune that is the basis of this book provides a great means for readers to feel welcomed to participate in the story.
Evaluation of Literary Elements:
The vibrant colors of this book create a cheery and inviting mood that welcomes readers into the story almost as if they too are going on the bus. The setting of the book is illustrated in a whimsical style that signals the book is targeted to a younger audience. Also the characters of the book include the staff of an elementary school making this book relatable because these are characters the reader might see on a daily basis. The plot focuses mainly on the trip to the school and what is happening on the bus as everyone travels to school.
Consideration of Instructional Application:
This song could be used at the beginning of the school year to acquaint students with the staff at the school. A felt board could be helpful to visualize each character boarding the bus and sing the corresponding response. This book would be ideal for kindergarteners or first graders, especially at the beginning of the year when giving a school tour. You could sing this song as a class as you pass various locations such as the nurse’s office or the library. Also the book contains sheet music at the back of the book, which invites students to participate either through singing or some sort of rhythm making. As a class you could discuss how the original was changed to make this version, which could springboard an activity of creating a new version of this song about what happens in your classroom.
Author: Mary-Alice Moore
Illustrator: Laura Huliska-Beith
Genre: Predictable Book
Theme(s): School Buses, Music
Opening Line/sentence:
The wheels on the bus go round and round,
Round and round, round and round.
Brief Book Summary:
The school bus goes around picking up everyone on his or her way to school. First it stops to pick up the students then proceeds to pick up various people who work at the school including the teachers, coach, and librarian just to name a few. This book puts a new spin on the classic song the “The Wheels on the Bus Go Round and Round” to make it easily said in rhythm and a memorable trip to school.
Professional Recommendation/Review #1:
Ilene S. Goldman (Children's Literature)
This is a delightful take on the classic children s song The Wheels on the Bus. In Mary-Alice Moore’s version the bus is a big yellow school bus populated by teachers who lead the festivities. The coach on the bus says, Catch, catch, catch! Throw, throw, throw, throw! The coach on the bus says, Throw, throw, throw! All the way to school. The teacher’s antics are hilariously illustrated by Laura Huliska-Beith, illustrator of the favorite Aunt Lucy Went to Buy a Hat. Readers are invited to join in the fun (as if they could resist) with a page of sheet music at the end which collects Moore’s frolicking new lyrics all on one page. This is definitely a fun way to kick off the school year.
Professional Recommendation/Review #2:
Kirkus (Kirkus Reviews, June 1, 2006 (Vol. 74, No. 11))
In this high-energy reworking of the familiar sing-along ditty, it's a school bus that also picks up a crowd of teachers, lunch ladies and other school employees: "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." In the bright, busy illustrations, rowdy grownups run up and down the aisles and hang out of the windows, while the children first look on bemusedly, then get into the act themselves. Real lunch ladies might feel dissed, seeing their counterparts here dishing up green "Glop." Not only are some lines packed with extra syllables, but the pattern of repetition isn't always predictable, making this version less infectious than the original. Still, a lively alternative to the old chestnut, it merits an audience.
Response to Two Professional Reviews:
Both reviews commented on the brightly drawn illustrations that comically show the hustle and bustle of a trip on the school bus. To show how clever the descriptions of the school employees are, both reviewers directly quote a boarding employee’s response. I agree with both reviews that the familiar tune that is the basis of this book provides a great means for readers to feel welcomed to participate in the story.
Evaluation of Literary Elements:
The vibrant colors of this book create a cheery and inviting mood that welcomes readers into the story almost as if they too are going on the bus. The setting of the book is illustrated in a whimsical style that signals the book is targeted to a younger audience. Also the characters of the book include the staff of an elementary school making this book relatable because these are characters the reader might see on a daily basis. The plot focuses mainly on the trip to the school and what is happening on the bus as everyone travels to school.
Consideration of Instructional Application:
This song could be used at the beginning of the school year to acquaint students with the staff at the school. A felt board could be helpful to visualize each character boarding the bus and sing the corresponding response. This book would be ideal for kindergarteners or first graders, especially at the beginning of the year when giving a school tour. You could sing this song as a class as you pass various locations such as the nurse’s office or the library. Also the book contains sheet music at the back of the book, which invites students to participate either through singing or some sort of rhythm making. As a class you could discuss how the original was changed to make this version, which could springboard an activity of creating a new version of this song about what happens in your classroom.
October 24, 2011
The Wheels on the School Bus by Mary-Alice Moore, illustrated by Laura Huliska-Beith is a silly variant to the classic Wheels on the Bus song.
This bus holds kids, teachers, a librarian, a coach, a murse, lunch ladies, a music teacher, an art teacher, a custodian, and the driver who is the principal. Each has a chant with an action.
The text is silly, with obvious, stereotypical things being said by the various riders.
The colorful, zany illustrations match the silly lyrics and the wild antics. While I like many of the illustrations, I can't believe any school custodian would be that cheerful faced with such a mess!
I love the classic song and the Zelinski book version. While this version would work for the beginning of school, I far prefer the Zelinsky version and would use that version, not this, in a public library storytime.
For ages 3 to 6, school, school bus, school workers, and fans of Mary-Alice Moore and Laura Huliska-Beith.
This bus holds kids, teachers, a librarian, a coach, a murse, lunch ladies, a music teacher, an art teacher, a custodian, and the driver who is the principal. Each has a chant with an action.
The text is silly, with obvious, stereotypical things being said by the various riders.
The colorful, zany illustrations match the silly lyrics and the wild antics. While I like many of the illustrations, I can't believe any school custodian would be that cheerful faced with such a mess!
I love the classic song and the Zelinski book version. While this version would work for the beginning of school, I far prefer the Zelinsky version and would use that version, not this, in a public library storytime.
For ages 3 to 6, school, school bus, school workers, and fans of Mary-Alice Moore and Laura Huliska-Beith.
October 25, 2012
At first glance I thought this was a cute variation of the song "The Wheels on the Bus." The story goes through a list of characters that are on their way to school, such as kids, librarians, teachers, school nurses, and coaches. I like that the story introduces the different types of people that can be found at a school and ' describes some of the things that they do, but I thought that some of the text was a little awkward. Excerpt: "The music teacher on the bus says, 'Sing, sing, sing! Play, play, play! Sing, sing sing!' The music teacher on the bus sings, 'Do re mi...' All the way to school.
I wasn't overly excited about this book, but kids may enjoy that it is a variation of a classic that they are most likely familiar with. I would like to test it out on a kindergartner to see how he/she likes it.
It could possibly be used as a storytime on buses, school, or transportation for kindergartners or preschoolers that are close to school age.
I wasn't overly excited about this book, but kids may enjoy that it is a variation of a classic that they are most likely familiar with. I would like to test it out on a kindergartner to see how he/she likes it.
It could possibly be used as a storytime on buses, school, or transportation for kindergartners or preschoolers that are close to school age.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 30, 2015
I read this book with my ones and two-year-olds. They got excited because they thought the book went with the wheels on the bus. Some of them tried to sing along with me until it got too confusing. They still liked the book and had me read it to them over and over. I would read this on the first day of school.
http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/bo...
Interest Level
Grades K - 2
Reading Level
Grade level Equivalent: Not Available
Lexile® Measure: Not Available
DRA: Not Available
Guided Reading: Not Available
Genre
Song
Comedy and Humor
Theme/Subject
Jobs, Careers, Work
School Life
http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/bo...
Interest Level
Grades K - 2
Reading Level
Grade level Equivalent: Not Available
Lexile® Measure: Not Available
DRA: Not Available
Guided Reading: Not Available
Genre
Song
Comedy and Humor
Theme/Subject
Jobs, Careers, Work
School Life
November 2, 2014
Genre:Participation picture book (song) - comedy/humor
Annotation:Footballs tossed in the air! Lunches scattered and drawings splattered! Hop on this big yellow bus for a crazy, rollicking ride on which the grown-ups are the troublemakers while the kids are the ones trying to sit still.
Themes:singing, Jobs, Careers, Work, School Life
Ways to use: with preschool or kindergarten classes at the beginning of the year, to teach school bus rules, use it to make a class book where each student makes up a page about something happening on the school bus
Annotation:Footballs tossed in the air! Lunches scattered and drawings splattered! Hop on this big yellow bus for a crazy, rollicking ride on which the grown-ups are the troublemakers while the kids are the ones trying to sit still.
Themes:singing, Jobs, Careers, Work, School Life
Ways to use: with preschool or kindergarten classes at the beginning of the year, to teach school bus rules, use it to make a class book where each student makes up a page about something happening on the school bus
February 23, 2012
-i enjoyed this book because I automatically can relate it to the "Wheels on a Bus" story, so will kids
-can be sung as a way to engage the kids in this book
-shows the different aspects of school staff (bus driver, teachers, lunch cooks); it makes those jobs a little more noticeable
-can be used at the beginning of the school year just to show kids what school might be like and who they might encounter
-used to promote a sense of community (services and jobs that people hold)
-can be sung as a way to engage the kids in this book
-shows the different aspects of school staff (bus driver, teachers, lunch cooks); it makes those jobs a little more noticeable
-can be used at the beginning of the school year just to show kids what school might be like and who they might encounter
-used to promote a sense of community (services and jobs that people hold)
September 8, 2015
With brightly colored whimsical (crazy?) illustrations and text that fits into the Wheels on the School Bus song, the reader is introduced to all the individuals he or she is likely to meet in school...classroom teachers, a librarian, art teacher, custodian and more. They are all here and presented in a fun and friendly way. This is a very entertaining read and will take away any fear a reader feels about starting school.
March 28, 2013
(I have the paperback, but this had a picture with it.)
Love this one probably because I'm a teacher! The Wheels on the Bus is one of Carmen's favorite songs & this story puts a twist on it with very entertaining pictures. Carmen's comments to some are "Balls! Messy!" & she gets right into the part of the nurse saying aah- aah- aah, to take your temperature!
Love this one probably because I'm a teacher! The Wheels on the Bus is one of Carmen's favorite songs & this story puts a twist on it with very entertaining pictures. Carmen's comments to some are "Balls! Messy!" & she gets right into the part of the nurse saying aah- aah- aah, to take your temperature!
March 1, 2011
Wheels on the Bus is one of my favorite songs for storytime. Kids adore it, which is why I have mixed feelings about this one. Sure, it's a good "first day of school" book. That said, I think I would probably trip up on the lyrics on this one because they barely work. Also, kids might come out of it wishing they had just sung the "wheels on the bus" song to begin with
March 20, 2012
What a great spin on the song "the wheels on the bus". It adds aspects of the school day such as music teachers and lunch ladies that can really help ease anxieties about a child's first day of school or a their first bus rides. I would use this as a first week of school book to help ease everyone into being at school again or for the first time.
March 20, 2011
This is a classic! Everyone knows the song,"The Wheels on the Bus"; well this book is a fun twist. As teachers are reading this to their students, it will create a fun environment for the students to engage in.
June 15, 2011
A nice change of the old wheels on the bus song, with people from school. Might be a good book for going back to school time. Bright color pictures. The only down side of this book is the second line uses two actions but that could be changed
March 24, 2012
This is a different twist on the old favorite poem "Wheels on the Bus". It includes the teachers saying learn.. learn..learn..and the coach saying catch...catch...catch. Kids will love the funny illustrations and rhymes.
January 13, 2009
One of my kids favorites! The have memorized it!
January 13, 2009
Cute, but silly take on "The Wheels on the Bus" song. All of the employees in the school get in on the act with appropriately silly lyrics. Funny illustrations.
November 4, 2009
The wheels on the bus is a good first book for children entering school. It prepares them for the people they will meet in school.
October 1, 2016
My five year old granddaughter Abby and her seven year old sister loved singing along with this book. The illustrations were cute.
September 17, 2012
Great to sing aloud!
Read
June 19, 20181. Awards the book has received:
This book has not received any awards.
2.Appropriate grade level(s):
This book is appropriate for children in pre-kindergarten through second grade.
3. Summary:
The book is not the traditional song of The Wheels on the bus. Instead, on the bus are different adults that the children interact with at school with the principal as the bus driver. On each page, a different adult adds to the song, something related to their job until the children arrive at their school.
Review: The bright, partially cut and paste illustrations are perfect attention grabbers for young children. The different adults and activities occurring on the school bus might be a negative influence for children’s behavior on the school bus. The song lyrics and notes in the back of the book could be very useful for a musically talented teacher or a child learning to play an instrument.
4. 2-3 possible in-class uses:
-discuss with the students the appropriate behavior on the school bus
-have the children draw pictures of their favorite adults in the school
-have the children cut and paste their own letters and words from magazines to make a collage of what they like most about school
-have the children raise their hands if they take a bus to school and make a chart.
This book has not received any awards.
2.Appropriate grade level(s):
This book is appropriate for children in pre-kindergarten through second grade.
3. Summary:
The book is not the traditional song of The Wheels on the bus. Instead, on the bus are different adults that the children interact with at school with the principal as the bus driver. On each page, a different adult adds to the song, something related to their job until the children arrive at their school.
Review: The bright, partially cut and paste illustrations are perfect attention grabbers for young children. The different adults and activities occurring on the school bus might be a negative influence for children’s behavior on the school bus. The song lyrics and notes in the back of the book could be very useful for a musically talented teacher or a child learning to play an instrument.
4. 2-3 possible in-class uses:
-discuss with the students the appropriate behavior on the school bus
-have the children draw pictures of their favorite adults in the school
-have the children cut and paste their own letters and words from magazines to make a collage of what they like most about school
-have the children raise their hands if they take a bus to school and make a chart.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews