The Bow-wow Bus (Animal Inn Book 3)
#3 of 5 in Animal Inn Series
What’s inside...
Cassie Tyler's first grade class visits the Animal Inn for their field trip and has a wild time meeting the residents, which include gerbils, dogs, cats, and birds. The Animal Inn is an all-inclusive pet resort/hotel/center/spa for animals ranging from dogs to rabbits, cats to ducks, and parrots to lizards, offering services like daycare, grooming, and group play. The Inn is managed by the Tyler family and their various pets. During the visit, the children and even a new classmate, a goldfish named Blub, have a fantastic time.
Character compass
Cassie
Zach
Nicholas
Toby
Discussion points
What did you think about the way the animals interacted with each other on the Bow-wow Bus? Can you imagine what they might be saying to each other?
How do the characters in the book show kindness or help each other? Can you think of a time when you helped a friend like that?
If you were going on a bus trip like the animals in the book, where would you want to go and what friends would you take with you?
What was your favorite part of the book and why?
If you could ask any character in the book a question, who would it be and what would you ask?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use expressive voices for different characters when reading aloud to make the story more engaging and help your child differentiate between the characters.
Ask your child to predict what might happen next at various points in the story. This keeps them engaged and thinking critically about the story line.
After reading, encourage your child to draw a picture of their favorite scene or character from the book. This helps reinforce their memory of the story and allows you to discuss the book further.
Relate themes from the book to real-life situations in your child’s experiences to help them connect with the story on a deeper level.
Encourage your child to think about the moral of the story and how the lessons learned might apply to their own life.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Responsibility
Explanation: In 'The Bow-wow Bus', children learn about responsibility as characters care for pets at the Animal Inn.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this by taking on small chores at home, such as feeding a family pet or keeping their room tidy.
Example Lesson: Teamwork
Explanation: The book demonstrates teamwork as characters collaborate to solve problems and manage the inn.
Real-World Application: This can encourage children to work cooperatively in group settings, be it in school projects or during sports.
Example Lesson: Compassion
Explanation: Throughout the story, the importance of showing kindness to animals is highlighted, developing empathy in young readers.
Real-World Application: Children can express compassion by being gentle and caring towards pets and peers.
Example Lesson: Problem-solving
Explanation: Characters face and resolve various challenges, teaching children effective problem-solving skills.
Real-World Application: This lesson encourages kids to think creatively and calmly when faced with their own everyday challenges.
Example Lesson: Adaptability
Explanation: The book displays how characters adapt to unexpected situations at the Animal Inn, emphasizing flexibility.
Real-World Application: It helps children understand the importance of adapting to change, such as moving to a new school or dealing with schedule changes.