The Bus Ride
on Goodreads (599)
What’s inside...
In this sweet picture book, a little girl takes a bus ride to her grandmother's house, experiencing an adventure filled with animal characters and visual gags. Illustrated by Marianne Dubuc, the book offers a multilayered reading experience with the main story of the girl's trip and numerous mini-stories involving other characters, making it an excellent resource for classroom reading and imaginative storytelling. As the girl encounters various animal passengers, such as a goat offering a flower and a wolf child sharing cookies, the book also presents running visual gags like changing newspaper headlines and a sleeping sloth appearing in different seats. Marianne Dubuc's use of subtle colors and tiny details creates an engaging visual experience, making it perfect for prompting imaginative storytelling in children.
Discussion points
What do you think the little rabbit was feeling on her first bus ride alone?
Why do you think the rabbit decided to help the other characters on the bus?
How do you think the different characters on the bus made the journey interesting?
What would you have done if you were in the rabbit's place?
How did the story change your thoughts about making new friends?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to imagine themselves in the shoes of the little rabbit, discussing how they might feel in similar situations.
Highlight the importance of kindness and helping others as seen in the rabbit’s actions, asking your child how they could apply this in their own lives.
Discuss the diverse characters and the rabbit’s interactions with them, prompting a talk about the value of accepting and celebrating differences.
Use the illustrations in the book to ask your child to describe what they see and how it adds to the story, enhancing their observation skills.
After reading, consider role-playing a bus ride adventure with your child where both of you can be different characters from the book, deepening their understanding and making the reading experience interactive.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Independence
Explanation: The protagonist, a young cat, takes a bus ride alone for the first time, demonstrating self-reliance and courage.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of being able to do things on their own, preparing them for new experiences without parental supervision.
Example Lesson: Observation Skills
Explanation: Throughout the bus ride, the young cat keenly observes various characters and happenings around her, enhancing her awareness.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to be more observant and attentive in their daily surroundings, which can boost their learning and social interactions.
Example Lesson: Kindness and Social Skills
Explanation: The cat interacts with different animals on the bus, showing politeness and friendliness.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to interact positively and form friendships, teaching them critical social skills.
Example Lesson: Imagination
Explanation: The story's whimsical elements, like a postal goose and knitting sheep, fuel imagination.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to use their creativity to enrich their understanding of the world and enhances their cognitive skills.
Example Lesson: Handling Unexpected Situations
Explanation: The cat navigates various unexpected events during the bus ride, remaining calm and adaptable.
Real-World Application: Teaches children the value of staying composed and thinking critically when faced with unforeseen circumstances in life.