It's a Field Trip, Busy Bus!

by Jody Jensen Shaffer, Claire Messer (Illustrations)

Busy Bus takes a field trip—and becomes a little jealous of a shiny red fire truck—in a warm-hearted sequel to It’s Your First Day of School, Busy Bus!

Today is Busy Bus’s very first field trip! He takes the children to a fire house, where they meet Engine Four, a big, shiny, red firetruck. Engine Four has a hose to put out fires, a ladder to reach tall buildings, and a loud and impressive siren. Busy Bus has none of these things. Will the children still like him? This darling picture book offers a gentle exploration of jealousy and a reminder that we each have our own unique talents that make us special.

Genres: Picture Books, School, Transport, Childrens, Firefighters, Buses, Fiction

40 pages, Hardcover

Published September 3, 2019

About the author

Jody Jensen Shaffer is an award-winning poet and the author of more than 70 books of fiction and nonfiction for children, including PRUDENCE THE PART-TIME COW, a Missouri Show Me Award finalist for 2019-2020 and Missouri’s choice for the National Book Festival in 2017, A CHIP OFF THE OLD BLOCK, nominee for the 2021-2022 Iowa Goldfinch Award, IT’S YOUR FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL, BUSY BUS!, an Amazon best-seller and Amazon Prime Book Box pick for September 2019, EMERGENCY KITTENS!, WHO IS JACKIE CHAN? and more. Jody’s poetry and fiction have been published in magazines like Highlights, Ladybug, and Clubhouse Jr. Jody lives in Liberty, Missouri, with her family. When she’s not writing, Jody can be found spending time with family and walking her rescue dog, Sophie.

Reviews

[Sandy Brehl · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the original picture book, BUSY BUS is eager to begin its important purpose in life, but worries about not having the size, importance, or fancy bells and whistles of larger buses and equipment. While BUSY BUS works through that anxious stage, young readers are introduced to the many safety and components of a bus and their specific part-names. This "first" for BUSY BUS provides a stage for young readers to learn similar key points about fire trucks and their operators and tools. Meanwhile, as BUSY BUS loses confidence about deserving a place in the lives of those young learners, the big, bulkier, established FIRETRUCK helps BUSY BUS recognize its own value.
I really enjoy the blend of real-world situations with the personified trucks/buses revealing the cautious-and-fragile self-concept of the little one paired with the guiding insights of the experienced mentor "elder".
It's also fun to notice the diverse collection of kids, figuring out if they are the same group as pictured in the original book. Also ideal is the identical square/chunky/oversized format of the series, reinforcing the face-front image of BUSY BUS in each book. How long will we have to wait to learn more about its next adventure?

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

While this is a nice, simple story, it has a really good message. It's okay to not have all the qualities that some others would like in a person (or a school bus, in this case), because you've got your own unique qualities.

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 3 out of 5]

The excitement and joy of a first field trip.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a good read-aloud for 3-5 y/o that are studying community helpers and transportation.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute way to talk about fire trucks and things that go.

[Savannah Hendricks · Rating 2 out of 5]

A story about feeling as though you have nothing to offer when up against something bigger and brighter.

[KC · Rating 3 out of 5]

Busy bus has a hard time when the school children really seem to enjoy visiting a firehouse and riding in the fire engines.

[Leah · Rating 3 out of 5]

A sweet little story about how everybody has something unique to share (and it doesn't pay to compare). Would be a good addition to a storytime on feelings.

[Alexis · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a wonderful book to read to littles about field trips while also showing them that everyone has a place in the world. It was a cute, yet powerful read.

[Brianna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so cute! I loved reading it with my daughter and could totally relate to Busy Bus feeling "less than" Engine 4! We are all talented and this book celebrates that!

[Y.Poston]

A fun way to explore fire trucks and fire houses!

[Gracie Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

"the busy bus felt left out but then he learns it doesn’t matter how you look but that you have fun"

[Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book wasn't what I expected - it's about a bus who wants to be a fire truck. Cute idea. Story didn't really capture me but I appreciate the work.

[Michele Knott · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is way more than a field trip story, it's a book you'll want for your Social Emotional Learning collection for young readers to talk about the feeling of jealousy. Also great to use to talk about how everyone has qualities that make them special.

[Pinky · Rating 3 out of 5]

Busy Bus feels insecure when he meets Engine 4 at the Fire Station. Busy Bus learns that he's built perfectly as a school bus.