The Wheels on the Bus

by Wendy Shaw

Watching from the windows of their zebra-striped all-terrain bus, a group of happy children arrives at the wildlife park. They're joining in the catchy refrain that 'the wheels on the bus go round and round', encouraging readers to do exactly the same! As the bus drives the children all around the park, it's the animals who take centre-stage, allowing this much-loved rhyme to enter new territory, steered by Jan Ormerod's fresh and lively interpretation of the song. So, with the established rhythm of the song put in motion by the bus, children can join in as the 'antelopes spring so high in the air', 'the otters in the pool float paw in paw', and 'the llamas in the field go trot, trot, trot'. And, of course, there are actions inspired by the animals' antics, too. Lindsey Gardiner has created colourful collage illustrations bursting with expressive and energetic animals that children just won't be able to resist wanting to copy as they leap, splash, and roll over the pages! So it's a book for more than it's a book for climbing aboard, singing along to, and joining in with ...all ...day ...long!

Paperback

First published April 1, 2013

Reviews

[Nabia CHIKER · Rating 3 out of 5]

We've all flicked through the pages whilst singing along to "the wheels on the bus go round and round...", however not many of us have heard the version where the bus drives through an animal park. Jan Ormerod's take, allows the animals to lead both the song and the story. As the bus drives through the park, a new animal is introduced, and following the original rhyme and rhythm, the way they move is described. The illustrations in the book are very vibrant and colourful, which in turn will attract the younger audience and encourage them to also move as the animals do whilst they sing and read the book. As there are many versions of "the wheels on the bus", I would encourage teachers to explore the variety and then motivate children to create their own original versions.

[Jenna Mills · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quite fun to sing and Little likes it

[Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

great for toddle time