The Magic School Bus Wet All Over: A Book About The Water Cycle

Magic School Bus TV Tie-Ins

by Nancy White, Carolyn Bracken (Illustrator)

Ms. Frizzle and her class take a wet and wild Magic School Bus ride through the water cycle that enables them to experience the processes of evaporation, condensation, and rain

Genres: Science, Picture Books, Childrens, Nonfiction, School, Kids, Environment

32 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1996

Reviews

[Dolly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a fun and educational look at the water cycle. It is a fairly typical Magic School Bus story and our girls just love these books. The science is basic and described in a way that is understandable, even for younger children. We've read a lot of these books and are always looking for more at our local library!

[Bev · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read with my son when he was in first grade.* A fun learning book that my son owned and we read together. He loved the Magic School Bus.

*He had to keep a reading log and I just found this when going through storage tubs.

[Sarah A · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent introductory book on the water cycle for kids! Great illustrations, basic but clear science.

[Brenna Quirk · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mrs. Frizzle and her class take a wild adventure to learn about water by becoming small enough to actually participate in the water cycle. They shrink down and visit many places as they go through evaporating, condensing, rainfall, and repeating this. Meanwhile, Arnold is worried about the sink he left running and getting their pet lizard Liz unstuck from the faucet. In the end all is fixed and the whole class learned the strength and reliance of water.
I enjoyed this book a lot and loved the duality of the plot. I think the book did a good job of including a lot of factual and helpful tips and then confronting the more fictional and fantasy elements that made the story more action packed by including fake letters to the book that address what was and wasn't real. The illustrations did a wonderful job of really bringing the story to life and allowing students to take their imagination a few steps further into the impossible. There were a few diverse characters present, but I think the diversity of this book, especially for the time it was written in, did a good job. The class presents many ethnicities but still makes sure the focus is on the educational part of the book.
I would recommend this book to any student ages 6-12 who may be interested in learning more about water and I would recommend the whole Magic School Bus series to any student. This series would be good for those who may want to learn but have a hard time paying attention or could spice up the learning experience for those who already read and want a bit of variation in the way the information is presented. This series I think does a good job of introducing non-fiction slowly to the student and get them used to taking note of information that is a part of every day life.

[Grace Davis]

Summary: Arnold and Wanda are working on a presentation about water for there class. The next thing they know, their eccentric teacher takes the class away in their magic school bus on a wild field trip where the students become drops of water in the water cycle.
Evaluation: I loved this book because it was extremely creative and engaging. The idea of the students becoming part of the water cycle was wonderful.
Teaching Idea: I am using this book as part of a text set to engage students in learning the water cycle steps in science. The kids will read the book before we build models as a class.

[Matthew Woods · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Magic School Bus: A Book About the Water Cycle
By: Joanna Cole

As a reader this book this book gives information in a fun an engaging way. Ms. Frizzle turns her students into water and takes them through the water cycle. She has them go through the different stages of the cycle in different forms to teach them about water and what it does.

Teaching this would be easy because you can easily give the students an engaging activity after reading it to them. They would have fun with the book as well as learning about an essential part of science.

[Macy Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the Magic School Bus Wet All Over, Ms. Frizzle and her esteemed students learn all about the water cycle. The kids and the bus get to be droplets of water flowing through the air, into the clouds, and down to the earth again. They explore water reserves and the wacky ways of the wonderful Ms. Frizzle as she gives her students a very literal hands on experience as they learn about the water cycle.

[Kallie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Science Fiction
Grade K-3
Again, the Frizz is a classic! This book takes us quickly through the water cycle and introduces new water cycle-related words such as evaporate and condense. This book has several facts about water in it but is labeled science fiction because people cannot shrink down to water droplets. Also, they water cycle takes days to happen and not minutes or seconds. Very cute way to learn about the water cycle, though.

[SaraKat · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is not part of Cole's original 12 MSB books and the lack of her wit and Bruce's illustration is definitely felt. These books are made from the plots of one of the episodes of the TV series based on Cole's books This story has Ms. Frizzle and the kids becoming water molecules and going through the water cycle a few times.

[Emili · Rating 5 out of 5]

Modern fantasy
2-4th grade reading level

Honestly, I was so excited for reading this book, because I remembered it as an informative book. But I forgot about all of the fantasy of Miss Frizzle. I just love "The Magic School Bus" books. They're classic! There is so much to learn from them.

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Filled with a bunch of nonfictional facts. Ms. Frizzle taking her class into a wet and wild ride, she shows her class all about the water cycle. Through the characters that are brought to life, students can use this book as a guide to learn about evaporation, condensation, and precipitation. They can close their eyes and navigate through rivers and oceans just like Ms.Frizzle's class does.

[K Morlando · Rating 5 out of 5]

We love the Magic School Bus series. These books are so informative and visually appealing for readers of all ages.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the magic school bus books. it makes learning about things so fun because the kids in this book are experiencing it in real time.

[Karin · Rating 3 out of 5]

A reworking of the waterworks book. It was okay, but seemed strange that Arnold became a brave expert rather than reluctant participant.

[Steve Holden · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ms. Frizzle and The Magic School Bus were a hit when I was growing up, and they still connect science topics in a fun way to young students. We're currently working on a weather unit, and our schedule is a bit crazy right now, but we wrapped up our work on the water cycle with this. These books are fun to look at for students, and provide a lot of information in different ways. An eager learner and reader can connect the basic knowledge while using all text features to make new learning connections and extend their thinking, while all students can come out with the basic, intended information.

I use a few of these throughout the year, and they're always celebrated when coming out or showing a video version.

[Kelsey Winters · Rating 4 out of 5]

I chose to read "The Magic School Bus Wet All Over" for my informational book. This story starts out with Ms. Frizzle and the class going on a crazy field trip to discuss the water cycle. The magic school bus becomes part of a water droplet, and lands in a puddle of water. The students then realize they are beginning to float in the air, and discuss evaporation. The book continues on to talk about precipitation, and the water cycle as a whole, all while the students are along for the ride experiencing it first hand. The illustrations in this book are helpful for students to see the steps of the water cylce, and also add to the fun of the book by showing the different characters reactions, like Ralphie and Mrs. Frizzle. Overall, the Magic School Bus series is a great form of informational text, that include great definitions and explanations while still engaging students in the reading.

[Linh Tong · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good book. It talks about the different stages of the water cycle. After reading this book, we would create a water cycle bracelet. Each bead will stand for a stage of the water cycle. We will also sing the water cycle song to help students remember the stages.

Water Cycle
By Lori-Ann Phelan

(Sang to the tune of She'll Be Coming Around the Mountain)

Water travels in a cycle, yes it does
(use pointer finger to make a big circle)

Water travels in a cycle, yes it does
(repeat finger circle)

It goes up as evaporation
(moves hands up to the sky

Forms clouds as condensation
(make a cloud overhead with arms)

Then comes down as precipitation, yes it does!
(sprinkle with fingers while bringing arms down in front of you)

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

My generic review of the Magic School Bus books -

We really love the series. This book doesn't have all the cartoony dialouge asides that the earlier books have. There are maybe a comment or two per page instead of full conversations. Some people hate that; I think I prefer it. The page is less busy.

These books clearly explain a certain topic. There are often additional activities at the end of the book for further learning.

We read these for 'fun' during picture book time and we read them when learning about a certain subject.

Most of the books have movies which correspond. We've enjoyed those as well.

[Ckorbakis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I going to use this book now that we've started our water unit in science. I've been looking for books to enhance our unit that are interesting for students and easier to understand. The FOSS unit that we use has a supplemental reading book but it's way too difficult for most of my students, most of which are ELL students. I'm planning on using this as a read-aloud once we've reached the 4th investigation where they begin to touch on the water cycle.

[Ebookwormy1 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was my choice for a kindergarten lesson on the water cycle. You have to be able to embellish Ms. Frizzle's shrill voice to pull it off, but it is worth it. Covers the water cycle 2x and addresses each of the four stages of evaporation, condensation, precipitation, and collection. Also includes public water treatment and distribution with The Magic School Bus trademark humor and word play.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Genre: Picture book, informational book
Cute story that helps to introduce what happens in the water cycle. Children will enjoy the adventure as they turn to water and learns what happens through each stage. The pictures really bring to life the story, which itself is very easy to follow. Children will be entertained an learn something at the same time. Magic School bus books are a great way to introduce children to new information.

[Jamie]

Ms. Frizzle takes her class on an exciting adventure to learn the water cycle. While in the clouds they explore how water is evolved. Ms Frizzle takes her student on an adventure that explains on how the water cycle works. This magic school bus adventure lets its readers imagination explore how it could be like to be a single rain drop that falls from the sky. These books are great for readers to get out there and think out of the box.

[Little Miss and the Legomeister · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the Magic School Bus books. I've read quite a few over the years. Legomeister loved them a couple of years ago. He still checks them out sometimes, but he doesn't ask me to read them to him anymore. Now it's Little Miss who requests them.

The Magic School Bus kids get to evaporate and condense.

[Chanae Wills · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ms. Frizzle’s class takes a field to discover the water cycle. The students and Ms. Frizzle go through the process of the water cycle: condensation, precipitation, run off, and evaporation. I would use this book to introduce the water cycle to my students. We could also see it in action by watch the video and doing an experiment with the water cycle.

[Deanna Sutter · Rating 3 out of 5]

This Magic School Bus was in the middle for me. There were some conversations and references with the social skills of some the kids that I didn't like for my "core phase" kids. However there were some good basic and well presented principles regarding the water cycle.

[Rachelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

All magic school bus books are wonderful to use in the classroom. What a fun way to engage children in the learning process! By bringing them on an adventure with Miss Frizzle's class and 'experiencing' things as they happen all around.

[Lauren · Rating 2 out of 5]

Excellent book to introduce the water cycle. The children go through entire water cycle and return through rain. I would highly recommend this because the children seemed very engaged when I read it to them.

[Jenny Wright · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just love The Magic School Bus series! Very entertaining to learn about the water cycle by turning the class and their eccentric teacher into droplets of water! Wonderful educational books for getting kids excited about science.

[Renee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book to read and learn about the water table. It shows how its rains, the sun warms the water, it evaporates, and turns into water vapors. Then it starts all over again. I love Magic School Bus books.

[Anseon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Today I read a book The magic school bus wet all over, by Joanna Cole. This story has a special character called Ms. Frizzle. She is a very interesting science teacher. I like the character. because she is kind to her student. I will give you the stars 4.