Buster Gets Back on Track
Buster the Race Car Series
What’s inside...
The book tells the story of Buster, a charismatic race car, who, after facing a major setback, reclaims his position on the racing tracks with determination and courage. Buster's inspiring journey teaches young readers the values of hard work, perseverance, and never giving up. In this sequel, titled 'Buster Gets Back on Track', Buster attends racing school with the Punchy Motorsports team where he faces new challenges. Struggling during practice, Buster leaves and stumbles upon a team of military vehicles that teach him how to manage stress and emotions under pressure. The story, enriched with action-packed artwork by Ela Smietanka, is ideal for teaching children aged 4-8 about emotional processing and resilience.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
3-6
Length
40 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
How did Buster feel when he faced challenges, and what did he do to overcome them?
Can you think of a time when you felt like Buster? What did you do?
What does it mean to be a good friend, as shown in the book?
Why is it important to keep trying, even when things get tough?
How did the other characters help Buster?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use expressive reading to convey emotions experienced by Buster to help your child connect with the character.
Pause after moments of challenge or success for Buster to ask your child how they might feel or react in a similar situation.
Highlight moments where Buster or other characters display determination or kindness and discuss their importance.
Encourage your child to describe what they would draw or write if they were making a book about Buster.
End the discussion by asking your child to think about what they learned from Buster and how they might use that lesson in their own life.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Resilience
Explanation: Buster the train faces numerous obstacles but consistently finds ways to overcome them, showing resilience.
Real-World Application: Children learn that persistence and determination are key to overcoming difficulties in life.
Example Lesson: Problem-Solving
Explanation: Throughout the book, Buster encounters problems that require creative solutions, teaching proactive problem-solving.
Real-World Application: Kids can apply problem-solving skills in school projects or difficult situations among peers.
Example Lesson: Teamwork
Explanation: Buster often relies on his friends to get back on track, illustrating the importance of working together.
Real-World Application: This can encourage children to value collaboration and seek help when needed, promoting cooperative play and group learning.
Example Lesson: Accountability
Explanation: Buster takes responsibility for his mistakes and learns from them, showing accountability.
Real-World Application: This teaches children the importance of owning up to their actions and learning from their errors.