BUS BUDDIES

An overview of five different buses and what they do.

This lift-the-page board book describes a monster-truck bus, a double-decker bus, a mass transit bus, a tram, and a road trolley. Each driver introduces their bus; an image offers labeled details of various parts. Lifting the page flap reveals the vehicle’s purpose. For example, the mass transit bus is shown dropping people off at the Bean in Chicago with the explanation that it “picks up and drops off passengers on a planned route throughout the city.” The text and illustrations are accessible for young readers and include just enough information to satisfy curious kids without overwhelming them. One small quibble: The buses are described as “tak[ing] people where they need to go!” but monster-truck buses don’t actually transport people (they “compete and entertain fans”)—a slightly confusing inclusion. The illustrations are well done, showcasing drivers of different skin tones. Some of the busy cityscapes feature iconic places like Chicago and London, a possible jumping-off point for introducing readers to different locations.

Will delight little lovers of things with wheels.