Review: It's Your First Day of School, Busy Bus! by Jody Jensen Shaffer

IT'S YOUR FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL, BUSY BUS!

by Jody Jensen Shaffer

Illustrated by Claire Messer

Beach Lane Books

July 3rd, 2018

Board Book

32 pages

 ages 3 and up

It’s the first day of school! But is Busy Bus ready? Find out in this darling picture book that showcases the excitement and worries little ones experience as they prepare for their first day.

Today is the very first day of school! Busy Bus is excited, but he also has some first-day jitters. Will the children like him? Will he be homesick? What if he gets lost?! Luckily, bus driver Ben knows just what to do to make sure that the school year gets off to a great start.

MY TIDBITS

This takes a fun twist at the first day of school, while very gently giving those who might be afraid to ride the bus, a little encouragement.

Busy Bus is nervous and excited. Soon, it will be his first day to drive kids to school. Ben, the driver,
makes sure everything is ready, but when the moment arrives to leave, suddenly Busy Bus is more anxious than anything else.

Cute, short and easy to read, this book takes the first day of school from a 'young' bus' perspective. The first part of the book covers everything there is to know about a bus, while the driver, Ben, checks through things thoroughly. Young readers learn about all the things needed for a bus' safety—air pressure, fire extinguisher, emergency door, etc. About halfway through, the gears change, and Busy Bus becomes apprehensive about meeting the kids and actually driving to school the first time. First time school goers will sympathize immediately and watch as Busy Bus works his way through this fear.

The illustrations are simple, bright and done with a playful, splatter effect. The details are kept light but just enough to draw in younger listeners. The text is great for preschoolers and plays along with the illustrations to create a fun read aloud.

Those who love school buses and cars or are about to embark on their first day of preschool or kindergarten will enjoy this read.


And here they are...

The author...
Jody Jensen Shaffer is the author of more than twenty-seven books of fiction and nonfiction for children. She's written about everything from ninja warriors to hyenas to Frederick Douglass. Her picture books include It's Your First Day of School, Busy Bus; Prudence, the Part-Time Cow; and A Chip Off the Old Block. Jody lives in Liberty, Missouri, with her husband and children.

The Illustrator...

Claire Messer is a graduate of the Cambridge School of Art. She works by hand, using traditional printmaking processes to create her picture books, which include the acclaimed Grumpy Pants. She lives in the UK.

Review: Little Lilly's First Day of School by Kadeja L. Wexler

LITTLE LILLY'S FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL

Adventures with the Jujukas, Book One 

by Kadeja L. Wexler

Illustrated by Karleigh Nakata

Auggie Bear Publishing

Picture Book

ages 4+ 

36 pages

Little Lilly is starting school, but the middle child of the Jujuka family couldn't be more nervous. Will the teachers and students be mean? Can Little Lilly find that school is nothing to fear, and everything to love? Come along as she ventures into a new world, where exciting experiences and lasting friendships await.

And as a special for Bookworm for Kid readers, 15% off when you use the promo code: 15kidbits

MY TIDBITS

This is the perfect book for all those kids who will be starting their first day of school or all those kids who can't wait for that day to come.

Little Lilly is about to start her first day of school, but there's one big problem--she doesn't want to go! She'd rather stay at home and play with her little brother and sister. But school, of course, doesn't wait, and whether she likes it or not, she has to go. Her experience is full of surprises that are guaranteed to leave a smile on little listeners' and readers' faces.

The first scenes depict Lilly with her family, a colorful mixture of characters which reflect security and warmth. The family's support is obvious, although they can't give in to Lilly's desire not to attend school. This wholesome feeling follows the book the entire way through, even when Lilly is unsure or runs into small rough spots. Bonds of friendship are formed, and she learns to be more self-assured. 

The illustrations are a real treat and invite young listeners to flip through time and again. Lilly's emotions are depicted very well, and the other characters are diverse as can be. The writing fits to the age group and brings across Lilly's worries and triumphs in ways kids of this age will easily understand. I believe it works best as a read aloud, but my own daughter (2nd grade) enjoyed reading through it herself.

Summed up: This is a lovely picture book for first time school kids, which not only gives them a glance into how a school day might be, but offers encouragement in a way they'll understand. It's easy to fall in love with the Jujukas and will be fun to see where the series leads these characters next.

And here she is. . .

KADEJA L. WEXLER!!!

Kadeja Wexler is super excited to debut her first children's book series, "ADVENTURES WITH THE JUJUKAS: LITTLE LILLY'S FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL." Affectionately known as "the Social Butterfly" amongst her family and peers, Kadeja took a few script writing courses in college, and has been writing ever since. She earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree from Five Towns College in 2006. Ironically, Kadeja was never keen on school, but always loved writing, acting and modeling. When she's not writing books, plays and musicals, Kadeja is daydreaming of another great story. She currently lives in New York with her husband and son, but will always be a Philadelphia "Philly" girl at heart!

http://www.thejujukas.com/