The Wheels on the...Uh-Oh!

by Sue Tarsky, Sue Tarsky

What happens when the wheels on the bus don't go 'round and 'round?This bus is in trouble―it won't be going through the town without a good mechanic! Can everyone work together to get the bus moving again? A new version of the perennial children's song is just as lively and fun as the original, while celebrating community and cooperation. Children will love the action, antics, appealing animal characters, and the very unexpected beginning to this rollicking romp.

Genres: Picture Books, Storytime, Transport, Childrens, Nursery Rhymes, Kids, Buses

32 pages, Hardcover

Published September 1, 2018

Reviews

[The Library Lady · Rating 2 out of 5]

Yes, this is on a lot of my "unhappy" shelves because this could have been great--and it's not.

I will not even bother with the pedestrian, edging on saccharine art, and concentrate on the lame, lame text. This is based on a song I have sung 2-3 times a week most weeks for the last 20+ years, so I think I'm qualified to judge this accurately.It is as flat as the tire on the bus. The need to be politically correct and make it a "handy woman" with the wrench makes that verse flop, and instead of a nice unifying line like "all around/all through the town," each verse ends with something that doesn't even try to rhyme.

Pathetic, pathetic, pathetic. Shame on reviewers who overrated this, and shame on all of you who are giving it great ratings.

[Elisabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

could have been edited a little for length, but an enjoyable ride all the same!

[McKenzie Richardson · Rating 4 out of 5]

For more reviews, check out my blog: Craft-Cycle

Cute spin on a classic song. The illustrations are adorable. I loved the detail (especially the woman taking pictures with her cellphone when things get a little out of hand- nice touch!). Also interesting to see so many different animals. Such to delight young animal lovers.

While the book is a bit long, it has a nice theme of working together and I enjoyed the fresh take.

There is some gendered language used ("handywoman", "policeman"). I did like the step toward inclusivity and that a female is represented in a stereotypically "male" field.

Overall, a fun new version of "The Wheels on the Bus".

[Sandy Brehl · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fun twist on the traditional rhyming verse, with a series of events related to an unexpected change of plans. Kids will enjoy it and likely begin making predictions and singing along after a few readings.
It offers a very early-age mentor-writing text for building creative sequences from familiar texts. It also allows for isolation of the individual events then challenging teams or full groups to reassemble by a blend of logic and memory. Also, this version allows for connections with personal stories of changed plans, car breakdowns, emotional reactions, teamwork, etc.

[A Allen · Rating 2 out of 5]

This isn't my favorite version of The Wheels on the Bus but it would be a nice gift for a child that collects Wheels On the Bus books. This book has a "handywoman" which was a nice challenge to a male-dominated work force, but then it had a "policeman" instead of a "police officer" which would've been an easy way to make it more inclusive. It also makes no sense to me that they're going to have a picnic at the end because I, an adult, assume these people were taking the bus to get somewhere. However, my students love playing "bus" and would certainly love a picnic detour.

[Alyssa · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun twist on a classic. Draws kids in because it’s a song they likely already know, but with a new angle to keep it fresh and interesting. Bright, colorful illustrations and a clear, easy-to-follow storyline. A bit long for a pre-k read aloud (or rather in this case, sing aloud), but it’s very easy to shorten a bit by skipping a couple of the verses without messing up the narrative. Adding to my list of great books to sing during storytime with the littles!

[Juliana Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Like a fractured fairy tale, the song takes a different direction when the wheel on the bus hits a rock in the road and goes flat. Now the handywoman goes 'click clack click' and the passengers go 'grumble grumble groan' and the loose wheel goes 'bump whizz roll'. Eventually, the wheel goes back on the bus and the bus takes the passengers to their picnic on the hill.

[Monique · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute alternative version of a bus that unfortunately gets a flat and needs to be changed. A chain of comical incidents arise in the process, but in the end the tire gets changed. Good for storytime although my group found it a tad too long and became restless. The illustration are very bright and fun.

[Rachael · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is perfect for an interactive story time. You can sing the silly story to the same tune as the wheels on the bus. I am very excited about this book. It is just the right amount of silly and the pictures are adorable.

[Tracie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A flat tire on the bus changes the familiar song!

[Erin Richards · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute rendition of the song, but gets a bit long if you plan to sing the whole book.

[Molly Cluff (Library!) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This follows the tune of "Wheels on the Bus" and details everything that happens when the bus gets a flat tire. Fun and interactive!

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not as fun as I thought it would be but certainly a nice edition to Storytime, paired with a traditional version of the rhyme. A bit of teamwork, patience, and resilience are a part of the story.

[Lucas · Rating 5 out of 5]

"I liked that the wheel went bouncing through the town! I also liked that there were so many animals and some were policemen and some were workermen and women" - Lucas

[Pug · Rating 2 out of 5]

Oy, this book goes on and on. (On and on, on and on.)

[kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

liked the concept but wish it had been more realistic.

[Miss Janis the Storytime Lady · Rating 4 out of 5]

with practice, this would be a good standy-up book. it really should be sung, but that's not my gig.

[Kelly]

Not as good as I hoped, though I loved the illustrations.

[Sandra]

I dunno, it's cute, 'the riders on the bus go grumble grumble groan' made me laugh. As did the critter in the crowd taking a picture with their phone.

I was excited that the mechanic was female, but irked when the repair didn't hold. Which I get is needed for the story, but changes it from yay discreet challenge of gender norms in picture books to women can't repair things right continuation of gender stereotypes in picture books. Especially since it rolls past presumably make construction workers (no flowers or pigtails which seem to be the indicators here) and is stopped by the likely male digger.