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The Magic School Bus #1
The Magic School Bus at the Waterworks
When Ms. Frizzle, the strangest teacher in school, takes her class on a field trip to the waterworks, everyone ends up experiencing the water purification system from the inside.
40 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1986
39 people are currently reading
3324 people want to read
About the author
Joanna Cole
496 books209 followersJoanna Cole, who also wrote under the pseudonym B. J. Barnet, was an author of children’s books who teaches science.
She is most famous as the author of The Magic School Bus series of children's books. Joanna Cole wrote over 250 books ranging from her first book Cockroach to her famous series Magic School Bus.
Cole was born in Newark, New Jersey, and grew up in nearby East Orange. She loved science as a child, and had a teacher she says was a little like Ms. Frizzle. She attended the University of Massachusetts and Indiana University before graduating from the City College of New York with a B.A. in psychology. After some graduate education courses, she spent a year as a librarian in a Brooklyn elementary school. Cole subsequently became a letters correspondent at Newsweek, and then a senior editor for Doubleday Books for Young Readers.
She is most famous as the author of The Magic School Bus series of children's books. Joanna Cole wrote over 250 books ranging from her first book Cockroach to her famous series Magic School Bus.
Cole was born in Newark, New Jersey, and grew up in nearby East Orange. She loved science as a child, and had a teacher she says was a little like Ms. Frizzle. She attended the University of Massachusetts and Indiana University before graduating from the City College of New York with a B.A. in psychology. After some graduate education courses, she spent a year as a librarian in a Brooklyn elementary school. Cole subsequently became a letters correspondent at Newsweek, and then a senior editor for Doubleday Books for Young Readers.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 172 reviews
March 21, 2026
"Our class really has bad luck. This year, we got Ms. Frizzle, the strangest teacher in school."Ms. Frizzle aka the Frizz is infamous in their elementary. She's got wild hair, an eclectic style, and a passion for learning that can be a little overwhelming for her students.
But no matter how much studying the children do, nothing can prepare them for this field trip!
"And to get ready for this trip, Ms. Frizzle made us spend a whole month in the library."
And so begins the first of many truly amazing, weird, wacky, and informative field trips!
"To our surprise, there was no bus driver. Instead, The Friz herself was behind the wheel."
Ahhh, reading these books feel a little like coming home.
Something that stood out to me as an adult is just how impressed I am by the science involved with the Magic School Bus series. It is very well-written, accurate, and brings up a lot of interesting factoids throughout.
I also liked how very 'extra' this book was. The author could have just had the students visit a water plant but nope! She goes hard.
For example, several of the characters have their own special asides and missions, like how one student says in the beginning that he doesn't think there are ten interesting water facts out there. Throughout the rest of the book, the students take turns telling the audience various water facts.
One thing to consider is that these aren't short books! There are so many things happening on each page, so many conversations between the kids, or asides giving additional information that these books do take a while to get through!
But on the plus side, I felt like I learned a lot from them!!
June 24, 2019
The first of Joanna Cole and Bruce Degen's wildly popular Magic School Bus series, which follows Miss Frizzle's class as they take fantastic field trips in the course of investigating various scientific topics, The Magic School Bus At the Waterworks sees teacher and students ascending into the clouds, shrinking down to the size of rain-drops, and experiencing the water-cycle up close and personal. From falling as rain and racing along in a stream, to traveling through a water treatments plant and then into their city's water supply, Miss Frizzle's students learn first hand how water moves through various stages and cycles.
Although I have long been familiar with this picture-book series, which launched in 1985, I had never actually picked one of them up. I'm glad that I finally have, as I now understand what all the fuss is about! Informative and educational, while also entertaining and imaginative, the narrative here combines scientific fact with fantastic adventure, while the cartoon-like illustrations add to the fun. The children's dubious initial response to their teacher, and their various conversational asides, are quite amusing, while the topic at hand - how cities and towns get their water - is one that younger readers may not have considered. Highly recommended to all young scientists, as well as to those who think that science is dull - this book might change their minds!
Although I have long been familiar with this picture-book series, which launched in 1985, I had never actually picked one of them up. I'm glad that I finally have, as I now understand what all the fuss is about! Informative and educational, while also entertaining and imaginative, the narrative here combines scientific fact with fantastic adventure, while the cartoon-like illustrations add to the fun. The children's dubious initial response to their teacher, and their various conversational asides, are quite amusing, while the topic at hand - how cities and towns get their water - is one that younger readers may not have considered. Highly recommended to all young scientists, as well as to those who think that science is dull - this book might change their minds!
November 7, 2016
1. Ms. Frizzle takes her students on an exciting field trip on a more then special school bus. Mr. Frizzle and her class explore the water cycle. From scuba diving in a river to evaporating into clouds and riding rain drops back to earth. Ms. Frizzle shows her students the wonders of how water can change from a liquid to a gas. As always trouble calls can Ms. Frizzle and the class get home safely.
2. This book would be great fro grade 1-3.
3. I would introduce this book to the class during a science lesson on water or when introducing the forms a liquid can take.
4. All students could benefit from this book it is a fun entertain book that grabs the attention of young kids.
5. This would be a great book for students to read and share with their friends.
6. This would be a fun book to read aloud to the class and ask questions related to the topic.
7. There is a collection of magic school bus books.
8. There are toys cartoons and interactive websites for these books.
2. This book would be great fro grade 1-3.
3. I would introduce this book to the class during a science lesson on water or when introducing the forms a liquid can take.
4. All students could benefit from this book it is a fun entertain book that grabs the attention of young kids.
5. This would be a great book for students to read and share with their friends.
6. This would be a fun book to read aloud to the class and ask questions related to the topic.
7. There is a collection of magic school bus books.
8. There are toys cartoons and interactive websites for these books.
April 9, 2019
This is the first Magic School Bus of the series and this was of the most fun books to read in elementary school. It revolves around Ms. Frizzle who is wacky red-headed teacher that takes her students on fun field trips. Little do these students know at first is that this bus can fly and take them anywhere! On this first field trip, they go to the waterworks where they learn about water purification. They learn about how the water is formed, purified and where it goes to reach its final destination. The coolest thing about this series is that the students in the book are learning about something, and the audience gets to learn with then. I think this book would be perfect for ages 1st through 3rd grade because it’s a pretty easy read but you get to learn a lot as you go. I love this collection!
April 11, 2012
"The Magic School Bus at the Waterworks" is part of a prize-winning series of children's non-fiction science books written by Joanna Cole and illustrated by Bruce Degen. Awarded the Boston Globe-Horn Honor Award, it is a perfect way to teach important science concepts and ideas to intermediate readers, while keeping their attention and interest.
The book is presented on a couple of different levels. On one level, the reader follows the adventures of Ms. Frizzle and her science students as they experience the wonders of the world of water on their magic school bus. On the other level, the reader has the opportunity to learn important facts about the scientific properties and concepts relating to water. The author has the unique ability to weave non-fiction content into a fanciful and fun tapestry. His use of humor to teach important ideas is creative and powerful.
The beautiful illustrations demonstrate the illustrator's ability to combine pen and ink, watercolor, and other artistic mediums in order to create an eye-catching book. This book is sure to be a favorite of students and teachers alike!
The book is presented on a couple of different levels. On one level, the reader follows the adventures of Ms. Frizzle and her science students as they experience the wonders of the world of water on their magic school bus. On the other level, the reader has the opportunity to learn important facts about the scientific properties and concepts relating to water. The author has the unique ability to weave non-fiction content into a fanciful and fun tapestry. His use of humor to teach important ideas is creative and powerful.
The beautiful illustrations demonstrate the illustrator's ability to combine pen and ink, watercolor, and other artistic mediums in order to create an eye-catching book. This book is sure to be a favorite of students and teachers alike!
August 17, 2020
I selected my shelves for this book: children's, science, and fantasy. Talk about a genre mix! Rarely is practical science mixed with fantasy. But Joanna Cole and her illustrator Bruce Degen expertly cover the water cycle, water supply, and water purification in a fun book for grades 5 and up.
This is the first one published that I own. I'll research to see if there are older ones. In this book Ms. Frizzle, the magical teacher, who is a bit of a Mary Poppins type character, first appears.
This is the first one published that I own. I'll research to see if there are older ones. In this book Ms. Frizzle, the magical teacher, who is a bit of a Mary Poppins type character, first appears.
January 2, 2023
precipitation
March 20, 2025
Honestly, this book slapped; need to thrift more magic school bus books
September 13, 2015
So this is the first Magic School Bus book, and it's not as tongue and cheek as some of the other ones, but it's still really fun and cool. Starting to think my oldest child wishes the Friz was his mom.
October 8, 2017
Cute book, great illustrations. Teaches children about water, that learning can be fun, and even the most boring of topics (water) can be fascinating.
Let's just ignore that fluoride sentence.
Note: I want an octopus dress.
Let's just ignore that fluoride sentence.
Note: I want an octopus dress.
July 21, 2020
It was fun and cute and informative. I really liked all the illustrations. There was a section at the end explaining what in the book was a joke, not actually factual “for serious students”: it was neat.
September 11, 2007
Love this series of Magic School Bus books. Perfect introduction to the sciences for kids. Funny and engaging and informative. This is one of the more enjoyable ones.
April 26, 2022
i love the series. these are very informational while still being fun and humorous. this book would be good to read during science when teaching about waterworks or just to have kids read during free read.
Ms. Frizzle is the kids science teacher. She is the driver of the magic school bus. In this series they take a field trip to watermarks. The kids all shrink into the size of water droplets. The kids all get to learn/ experience the water purification system from the inside.
Ms. Frizzle is the kids science teacher. She is the driver of the magic school bus. In this series they take a field trip to watermarks. The kids all shrink into the size of water droplets. The kids all get to learn/ experience the water purification system from the inside.
April 25, 2026
I always thought The Magic School Bus was just a science cartoon but I was pleasantly surprised that the show was actually based off of Joanna Cole’s children’s books!! 👩🏻🏫👩🏻🎓
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July 4, 2025This is where it all began! So much fun to be had with such a seemingly boring topic - a field trip to the local water purification system.
July 26, 2025
Прикольна книга про те як
клас з дивною вчителькою подорожували водогінною станцією.
клас з дивною вчителькою подорожували водогінною станцією.
April 17, 2021
Before I started elementary school, I knew about The Magic School Bus. Important book series from Joanna Cole and Bruce Degen, this collection of science adventures introduced me at an early age to many scientific concepts important to our everyday life, our world, and how objects around us work.
For each book, a different science topic. And in all of them, the same main protagonist. Mrs. Frizzle and her mysterious school bus. A machine ruined in appearance, but magical in its tools. Indeed, every time she takes her class on a field trip, the bus transforms itself and its passengers into explorers who discover the mysteries of our world. Having at their hands advanced technology and tools that would make jealous the most envious inventors, this class experiences incredible adventures where they learn new subjects; alongside us readers who discover their stories.
In this book, first volume in The Magical School Bus Series, we are introduced to Mrs. Frizzle, to the strange lessons she gives which puzzle her students who’d expect more conventional classes and activities. Like going to the Circus or the Zoo rather than to the Waterwork; which is their first field trip with her. Where they discover in a single morning how incredible Mrs. Frizzle is. And how that bus is the most extraordinary machine they ever met. Giving them adventures that start and end the same way; with magic.
Through this story, we explore in clear detail the water cycle and how the water we drink is filtered and treated by waterworks and their employees. And as the author Joanna Cole and illustrator Bruce Degen worked with the American Waterworks Association, what we get are precise informations about how these services function. Furthermore, we learn interesting ecological facts on water and how precious it is. So this book is educative about how our society functions and about the importance of protecting our ecosystem.
For the prose and story, it is told from the class’s point of view. Speaking in unison; sharing a same common voice. Alongside extra comic book bubbles where, in the illustrations, characters talk to each other.
As for the artwork, it is done in watercolours with pen, alongside colour pencils, gouache, and ink. And within each of them, we are presented the classroom, the protagonists, and their adventures. All under great illustrations that cover either the entire page, or two pages if an action occurs on a long wide scope view or if it evolves progressively (ex: the bus evaporating into clouds).
Now for the book’s editions, you might have either paperback or hardcover versions, but also huge volumes that teachers can use to present to a wide group. So depending on the type of volume you want, you can check with your book store if they offer it or not. As for me, I have a paperback edition and the printing is well done. The text is printed at a proper size; easy to read for all readers. Including adults for it presents basic informations about the subjects involved and can be a good reviewer for people who might have forgotten some of their science basics. Especially for the other books that deal with big topics like astronomy, beehives, dinosaurs, volcanos, etc.
In sum, this book, alongside this series, is a great success from Scholastic and its two artists. A valuable educational material alongside an awesome story to read while learning about our world.
For each book, a different science topic. And in all of them, the same main protagonist. Mrs. Frizzle and her mysterious school bus. A machine ruined in appearance, but magical in its tools. Indeed, every time she takes her class on a field trip, the bus transforms itself and its passengers into explorers who discover the mysteries of our world. Having at their hands advanced technology and tools that would make jealous the most envious inventors, this class experiences incredible adventures where they learn new subjects; alongside us readers who discover their stories.
In this book, first volume in The Magical School Bus Series, we are introduced to Mrs. Frizzle, to the strange lessons she gives which puzzle her students who’d expect more conventional classes and activities. Like going to the Circus or the Zoo rather than to the Waterwork; which is their first field trip with her. Where they discover in a single morning how incredible Mrs. Frizzle is. And how that bus is the most extraordinary machine they ever met. Giving them adventures that start and end the same way; with magic.
Through this story, we explore in clear detail the water cycle and how the water we drink is filtered and treated by waterworks and their employees. And as the author Joanna Cole and illustrator Bruce Degen worked with the American Waterworks Association, what we get are precise informations about how these services function. Furthermore, we learn interesting ecological facts on water and how precious it is. So this book is educative about how our society functions and about the importance of protecting our ecosystem.
For the prose and story, it is told from the class’s point of view. Speaking in unison; sharing a same common voice. Alongside extra comic book bubbles where, in the illustrations, characters talk to each other.
As for the artwork, it is done in watercolours with pen, alongside colour pencils, gouache, and ink. And within each of them, we are presented the classroom, the protagonists, and their adventures. All under great illustrations that cover either the entire page, or two pages if an action occurs on a long wide scope view or if it evolves progressively (ex: the bus evaporating into clouds).
Now for the book’s editions, you might have either paperback or hardcover versions, but also huge volumes that teachers can use to present to a wide group. So depending on the type of volume you want, you can check with your book store if they offer it or not. As for me, I have a paperback edition and the printing is well done. The text is printed at a proper size; easy to read for all readers. Including adults for it presents basic informations about the subjects involved and can be a good reviewer for people who might have forgotten some of their science basics. Especially for the other books that deal with big topics like astronomy, beehives, dinosaurs, volcanos, etc.
In sum, this book, alongside this series, is a great success from Scholastic and its two artists. A valuable educational material alongside an awesome story to read while learning about our world.
Read
October 15, 2025Shallow and pedantic.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 30, 2018
The Magic School Bus: At The Waterworks is a creative science fiction book. It was written by Joanne Cole and illustrated by Bruce Degen, and has won two awards. The first award is the 1989 Washington Children's Choice Picture Book Award and the 1991 Florida Children's Book Award. It seems great for children of ages 7 through 11 years old. The students finally get to meet their new teacher, Ms. Frizzle and they are not too excited about it. They end up having to take a field trip to see how water is distributed. The students would rather do something like go to the zoo or the circus, instead of learning about the water system. To their surprise, their "boring" field trip turns into a magical surprise! The overall idea of The Magic School Bus is creative. The students can shrink, fly, and walk on clouds. The illustrations are detailed and the colors are bright and colorful. The elementary students get to take scientific field trips and have a magical experience, literally. That is the main reason why children may love reading this. Although it is a television series, it's also cool for young readers to read. The readers are learning about science, and get to sort of take a trip with Ms. Frizzle and her class. If I was working with children, I would use it to show that science can be fun. Date Reviewed: April 18, 2018.
March 16, 2018
This book series is wonderful for teaching younger children. I think that these books are fun and very informational. I chose this Magic School Bus in particular because I thought it would be a fun way to teach about the water cycle and I thought this would be a good book for the students to have in the classroom. I enjoyed this book and feel that the students would also enjoy learning about the water cycle through this story. The pages had good illustrations and the words were not too big for younger readers. I would recommend this book to anyone wanting to teach a science lesson about the water cycle to their students.
December 6, 2016
Magic School Bus books were always great reads for anyone. I remember loving them when I was a kid, so rereading and remembering them were so fun! I would use this as a read aloud for younger students, or a self read for students that are older. I love these books because they teach lessons in them as well. If it's possible for me to work the book with the lesson we are going through, it would be fun to watch the movie/show that goes along with that particular book. I give this book a 5 out of 5!
November 13, 2019
Miss Frizzle! What can I say! She is a literature icon! Not to mention cartoon icon as well. Joanna Cole and Bruce Degen do a great job of taking potentially daunting scientific concepts, breaking them down, and putting them into words and pictures that younger readers can understand and enjoy. The characters are funny and somewhat relatable, as well as Miss Frizzle and her cool transforming bus is one teacher we all wish we had! I recommend adding her books to your upper elementary classroom library as a way to introduce concepts and to reach readers who may not otherwise enjoy books.
June 22, 2017
This book is about a class that is learning about water and they go on a trip in their school bus. The bus transforms into a magic bus and takes them through the rain and into the reservoir for the city where they learn about the different parts of the waterworks system.
I like this book. It is a fun story and the pages include many actual facts about water and the waterworks and the reservoir. The facts are included in a way that is fun to read for the children.
(Fantasy)
I like this book. It is a fun story and the pages include many actual facts about water and the waterworks and the reservoir. The facts are included in a way that is fun to read for the children.
(Fantasy)
June 27, 2020
My kids have made me read all of the original MSB books, and most of the newer ones, over the past few months. While I find the storylines to be a bit silly at times, I am amazed at how these scientific concepts seem to stick with my children after reading them, especially my 5 year old. And, having a multiracial classroom of students with a cool and creative science teacher in Ms. Frizzle centers inclusivity and a love of learning. Nice series.
January 15, 2021
I discovered Bruce Degen at the start of the year, and discovered that he was the illustrator for the Magic School Bus books.
I have read a few of the TV tie in ones, but this is book one of the original series.
It is good to see there is a bit of tension between teacher and student, after all she is a bit bonkers.
Anyway educational and entertaining is a good mix, I'll see if I can find the others to keep going with this series.
I have read a few of the TV tie in ones, but this is book one of the original series.
It is good to see there is a bit of tension between teacher and student, after all she is a bit bonkers.
Anyway educational and entertaining is a good mix, I'll see if I can find the others to keep going with this series.
May 10, 2017
I wish every child had a teacher like Ms. Frizzle - she is unique. She inspires her students - and a love (or at least an appreciation of) science - which is much needed in this day and age. The book is informative and colorful. It's really no wonder the series as remained popular for so many years.
October 21, 2017
A wonderful way to view the water cycle from evaporation through the collection in a reservoir and the purification process and finishing up with use in a home. As usual, Ms. Frizzle makes learning fun. I would buy this for my classroom if we had a reservoir system. We have to teach about the aquifer here.
December 2, 2017
This was much more of a nostalgic read, since I remember this series (book and cartoon) from when I was in primary school. It's a good introduction to the water cycle and public works for primary students, making use of a story to explain facts about the basics of how water functions and how we use it in public infrastructure.
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November 11, 2020Fantasy Fiction
Interactive Read Aloud
The series The Magic School Bus is very popular with children because of its vivid illustrations. It also is very interactive and engaging for students to follow along and ask questions. Reading this as a read aloud would be beneficial for children so if they do have questions we could discuss as a class.
November 2020
Interactive Read Aloud
The series The Magic School Bus is very popular with children because of its vivid illustrations. It also is very interactive and engaging for students to follow along and ask questions. Reading this as a read aloud would be beneficial for children so if they do have questions we could discuss as a class.
November 2020
June 30, 2017
The illustrations are different than I remember from my childhood but it is amazing to go back and read this to my kids after I remember reading them in my youth. Great introduction to the water system and water cycle.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 172 reviews