The Bright Side

by Chad Otis

This endearing picture book about making the most of any situation is also a heartfelt and meaningful portrait of houselessness that’s just right for young children.

Sometimes it’s hard to stay when you live in an old school bus instead of a normal house; when you have mostly just bread and ketchup to eat; and especially when you have to go to a new school where all the other kids already have friends. But the sweet and creative boy in this story discovers that he can do things he never thought possible, by using the skills his parents have taught imagining . . . and trying . . . and finding a way to look on the bright side.
 
This honest, accessible, and compassionate story is based on the author’s own childhood. Its message about resourcefulness and courage will resonate with every reader.

Genres: Picture Books, School, Childrens, Fiction, Family, Poverty, Realistic Fiction

40 pages, Hardcover

Published February 21, 2023

About the author

Chad is the author & illustrator of OLIVER THE CURIOUS OWL, A LITTLE FERRY TALE, and THE BRIGHT SIDE. He's also the illustrator of CUDDLE MONKEY, and COLD TURKEY.

Chad spent part of his formative years living on a school bus that zig-zagged its way from Iowa to California. Then he got a BFA in Design from the University of Washington and spent years working with Disney, Nickelodeon, Mattel, Hasbro, and others as a game designer, creative director and animator for digital content before coming to picture books. Chad thrives on heartfelt, humorous stories - with unique, vibrant characters at their core.

Chad lives at the edge of the Rocky Mountains in Idaho (in a house without wheels) - with his wife Cathy and their Cockapoo, Riley.

Reviews

[Milton Public Library · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book to be incredibly vulnerable, real, and informative about a student whose family is experiencing houselessness. A boy and his family move into a bus because they can no longer stay in their house. The boy's experiences are very different than a family living in a building with running water and larger budget for food. This book is equal parts sad and optimistic, weaving in creativity along the way. My daughter sat with the information this book opened up to her, expanding her world view and growing her empathy for others. We had a wonderful discussion when we were finished! So thankful that there is a book to help facilitate discussions, build empathy, and give a voice to other children in similar situations.

Find it in our SHARE Catalog today!

Ashley C. / Milton Public Library #CheckOutMPL

[Steph · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most perfect picture books I've ever read. <3

[Tara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Story 4
Illustrations 5

[Hannah]

I don't quite know what to do with this, because it's thoughtful and heartfelt and some places but also entirely too saccharine in others, and there are also a few places where tenses get flipped. I don't really know enough about experiencing homelessness (or, like, white nomadism? the other problem here is that I don't really know if I'm supposed to read it as unhoused due to socioeconomic and oppressive factors or if it's some version of freeganism) to feel like I can make a really hard determination here as to the quality or success of the book....

[H. L. Reyes · Rating 5 out of 5]

“If we imagine…and try…maybe we CAN do it. Because I’m pretty sure we can do just about anything…if we look on the bright side.” -Chad Otis

WOW, what a profound look at how positivity changes your circumstances and the people around you. My children and I found this book so inspiring, ‘The Bright Side’ based upon the author’s very own childhood.

[Angela De Groot · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love that this story shared the power of positivity while highlighting the houseless plight and struggles for some people.

[Patricia Bell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fits many of our Essential 8 character traits, especially optimism.

[John Mullarkey · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Bright Side by Chad Otis is an interesting and meaningful take on the first time/day at school. The first day for all students brings a share of nerves and excitement, apprehension, worry, and anticipation. But what about if a student is homeless, lives on a school bus, lacks friends, and has never been to school before? This autobiographical picture book explores what it is like to be an elementary school student in that exact situation. While facing difficulties that many of us could not imagine, including having little to eat (only ketchup sandwiches) and no bathroom nor a bed, the main character continues to be positive “You have to look at the bright side of things” is his motto, even when he has to learn the many basic rules of the classroom and has to find other kids’ leftovers for lunch. It is a great read aloud for a class and certainly opens up the door for empathy and further discussion of a very real topic, and yes, there is a positive spin to the story which adds a brighter take on things. The artwork - a mixture of bright pencils, inks and collage complement the story very well. In addition, There is a photograph of the author - and the old bus he lived on from when he was a youngster at a time when he dealt with many of the real challenges his storybook character has to experience.

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

A boy’s family lives in an old school bus with scarce food for a few years until they can live in a regular house again. In the meantime, the parents promote “looking on the bright side” which is not always easy to do. Instead of pizza, it is toast and ketchup, showers are outdoors with a hose, and toys are homemade arts and crafts. When the child starts regular school for the first time, in third grade, he is understandably confused by the rules, both social and academic… UNTIL one day, the planned class party has to be cancelled because of tech malfunctions. The boy saves the day by showing the class how to use their own ingenuity to have a great time. This book carries a very positive message about resilience and finding the silver lining. The simple story provides an opportunity to talk about homelessness, food insecurity, respecting differences and welcoming new children into the class. The illustrations are primitive, colorful, and playful showing an androgynous pale main character and classmates of different ethnicities. The author bases this story on his own experience living on a bus, and includes a family photo in front of the bus where they lived for a four years. Recommended for K-2.

[Roben · Rating 4 out of 5]

When home is an old school bus.... you have to look on the bright side. There are so many challenges when you don't live in a house. Where do you take a shower? Or have enough money. Or food. Toast and ketchup are really not a great replacement for pizza.
But our young hero does have loving parents and a lot of creativity that helps him make friends at his new school. He has been home schooled for his first few grades but his mom decides he needs to make some friends. Of course, being introduced to school for the first time is a bit of a learning curve. Initially, he fears he won't be able to make any friends but then his creativity and resourcefulness save the class party and he is able to find a few kindred spirits.
The author lived on a bus himself when he was a kid so this is partially based on his own experiences.

This one would be a great read-aloud in a classroom and should generate lots of discussion. I'm guessing most kids would think living on a bus would be fun - until they stop to think about what it would really be like.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mostly optimistic and def. cheerful. A joy to read, not a downer... but at the same time it doesn't hide from the truth and so is poignant. Affirming, too! And the author is writing from his own experience!!

I will definitely look for more by him. If this gem is an indicator of his skills, I look forward to more.
...
I got distracted and forgot to post the best aspect of the book - the can-do creativity. Everyone needs to learn how to make do with what you have, rather than give up or go out and buy more stuff. Not just for sake of our wallets, or for the health of the Earth, but also because Problem-Solving and Creativity are super important skills.

(Honestly, this book could be tagged "Earth Day" or "Keeping it Green" in addition to "homelessness.")

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I feel really torn about this book. The message of the story is learning to find the positive, or the "bright side" in hard situations which is such a valuable lesson for children. But the basis of the book is a child whose family loses their home and so they're traveling in a school bus, eating ketchup and tomato sandwiches, showering outdoors, and not going to school. The situation feels really intense to be a book about looking for the positive...this child and his family need assistance and I don't know if it sends the right message to say when serious things like this happen to just look for the bright side. Hmmm....

[Giorgia Cavalleri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this book. It is about a boy whose family lives on a bus because they cannot afford a home, and how the child learns to make the most of every situation. I like this book because it is very inclusive and responsive to children whose financial situation may not be stable and it opens the door to positivity and creativity when faced in situations that are not ideal. I would love to read this book in my classroom for IRA.

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 5 out of 5]

An affecting, compassionate story about a homeless young boy who lives with his parents on an old school bus, and his experiences when begins attending a "real school." The author honestly acknowledges the physical and emotional difficulties of the family's situation while leaving room for joy and avoids evoking pity.

[Margaret Boling · Rating 4 out of 5]

7/8/2023 ~ The main character lives on a bus, though the reader doesn't know the background circumstances. Money does seem to be short (ketchup sandwiches).

I appreciate that the story is asset-based, with the creativity and problem solving skills the boy learned on the bus helping him overcome a class challenge when the electricity goes out.

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good title for illustration that not everyone lives a “ normal conventional”, and an excellent title to depict that we can make the best of every situation.
Interesting that the illustration are a combination of pencil, ink, collected objects, and digital paint. The added elements with the digital paint makes for pleasing pictures that do not scream digital.

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

This family lives in an old school bus. This makes some parts of life a bit challenging. We see this world from the child's perspective. When he gets to attend a school, he is nervous and doesn't feel he fits in. Then he has the knowledge to change an almost disaster into a fun afternoon for everyone.
Otis models looking for positives even when things are different.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

The boy in this story lives with his family in an old school bus. He finally gets to go to school, but has difficulty fitting in. Knowing what it means to look on the bright side, he uses positive thinking to help the class with a disappointing situation. This book highlights creative thinking and optimism while also giving a glimpse into the life of a character who is homeless.

[Zoraida Rivera Morales · Rating 4 out of 5]

Have you heard of a kid who lives in a bus? The main character of this book does. Based on the experience of the author-illustrator, this book can give readers a new perspective on family-life and school. The difficulties he encountered and how he dealt with them can provide a great opportunity to discuss differences. It can help the reader look at the bright side when things get tough.

[Jamie Lynn Lano]

Love the art and the overall message about using your imagination, but you aren't homeless or necessarily disadvantaged if you live on a school bus and I think it's dangerous to refer to people living on skoolies like that.

[Elaine Fultz, Teacher Librarian, MLS · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unique perspective of a homeless child and their sadness and creativity. When they attend school for the first time, they are lost and lonely, but their make-do skills come in handy when the school's pizza & movie night is in jeopardy. [Spoiler: it involves ketchup sandwiches.]

[Sheri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Living in a school bus and going to a new school are hard for the m.c. But he learns to follow rules and work with classmates. And when the class has to cancel a pizza party with a movie, he is resourceful enough to help them have a similar event by using his ingenuity and looking for a solution.

[Aralynn Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautiful book about optimism and imagination. I love this book because it depicts low income families in a positive light (making good out of a bad situation). This is a great book to intoduce empathy and really boost social and emotional skills!

[Kristina Howlett · Rating 5 out of 5]

THE BRIGHT SIDE by Chad Otis captures a creative, courageous boy who lives in an old school bus instead of a house & uses his skills & resourcefulness to teach his classmates how to look & live on the bright side. Don’t miss this one! The read aloud is available online. @PenguinBooks

[KMitch · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book embodies the power of optimism as it follows a child whose family is living on an old school bus and learning to navigate school for the very first time.

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5

[Jj · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks to Penguin Young Readers for the review copy!

[Gabrielle Stoller · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was sweet!

Let's normalize house insecurity!
Let's normalize food insecurity!
Let's show that there can be positives to be found <3 <3 <3

[Stephen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Based on author:s life, living in a school bus four years then going to traditional school in 3rf grade, adjusting, adapting, creativity

[Holly Wagner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adorable story about the resourcefulness of someone raised unhoused.