Here Comes the Bus!

Is This the Bus for us? Written by Harriet Ziefert

Patience pays off for Leo and his sisters as they wait for the right bus to take them to the park! Leo and his family are waiting for the bus, but each one that passes just isn’t the right bus for them. First a red bus filled with a hen, a cow a duck, a goat and a horse, and driven by a sheep goes by, bound for the farm. Next a yellow bus jam-packed with fish, sharks and octopuses passes on it”s way to the aquarium. When will a bus for people come by?

One Boy Watching written and illustrated by Grant Snider

This lyrical picture book follows one boy’s early morning bus ride to school and the many things he observes.

Puppy Bus written by Drew Brockington

A boy, worried about his first day at a new school, finds himself on the wrong bus, a bus full of puppies bound for Puppy School–and discovers that despite the strange food and even weirder bathroom Puppy School is a lot of fun.

Amos McGee Misses the Bus written by Philip Christian Stead

When he misses his bus to the zoo, Amos McGee, a friendly zookeeper who was up late planning a surprise for his friends, gets some unexpected help.

Time for School, Little Blue Truck written by Alice Schertle

Ride along to school with the #1 New York Times best-selling Little Blue Truck and meet Blue’s new friend: a bright yellow school bus. Beep-beep! Little Blue Truck and his good friend Toad are excited to meet a bright yellow school bus on the road. They see all the little animals lined up in the school bus’s many windows, and Blue wishes he could be a school bus too.

Room for Everyone written by Naaz Khan

Musa and his sister travel to a Zanzibar beach in a shared minibus which, despite Musa’s protests, gets loaded with everything from a man and his bicycle to ten swimmers.

https://lcl.ent.sirsi.net/client/en_US/default/search/results?qu=bus+-fiction&qf=GENRE_TERM%09Genre%09Picture+books.%09Picture+books.#

The Library Bus written by Bahram Rahman

Five-year-old Pari accompanies her mother on her library bus rounds for the first time, stopping at a village and a refugee camp so that girls there can exchange books and have a lesson in English. Talking with her mother as they drive, Pari learns that she is lucky that she can attend school the next year. Pari’s mother had to learn in secret when it was forbidden to teach girls to read, and the young women the bus visits weekly have no other access to education. Inspired by the first library bus to operate in Kabul, Afghanistan.

Bunnies on the Bus written by Philip Ardagh

Bunnies are on the bus and causing all kinds of mayhem on the streets of Sunny Town.

Bus! Stop! Written and illustrated by James Yang

A boy who has just missed his bus waits for the next one, but the vehicles that arrive at his stop do not look at all like the one he missed, and the riders who get on them are not quite what he expects either.

Nonfiction:

Meet a Bus Driver! Written by Jodie Shepherd

Join Emma and Theo on their adventures as they meet community helpers in their neighborhood!

Theo and Emma’s school bus driver is getting ready to retire–and now they are sitting in as he trains his replacement. Come along as Emma and Theo get a firsthand look at a bus driver’s job.

Buses in Action written by Allison Lassieur

Describes buses, including their history, their parts, how they work, and how people use them to travel.

Paper plate school bus craft: https://www.fabercastell.com/blogs/creativity-for-life/back-to-school-paper-plate-school-bus-craft

School bus countdown craft: https://www.thesuburbanmom.com/2013/07/29/back-to-school-school-bus-countdown-kids-craft/

Craft Stick School Bus Frame: http://www.readingconfetti.com/2013/08/craft-stick-school-bus-frame-and-back.html

The Wheels on the Bus STEM Activity – Finding Wheels that Move: https://jdaniel4smom.com/2017/08/wheels-bus-activity.html

Shapes

Some of These are Snails written and illustrated by Carter Higgins

From the creative force behind Circle Under Berry comes a deceptively simple picture book exploring sorting, comparatives, and quantifiers that teases the brain, twists expectations, and teaches basic ideas in unusual ways. A page-turner for first-time page-turners, this kaleidoscopic compendium shows young readers the infinite variability of perspective inherent in even our foundational concepts.

Linus written and illustrated by Hausmann, Stuart, author, illustrator

Sweet, plucky Linus cannot quite seem to fit into the rigid confines of his strait-laced world–and maybe that is not such a bad thing.

Shapes and Colors written and illustrated by John Canty

The award-winning author/illustrator of the Heads and Tails series introduces readers to a multi-tiered new “concept book about shape and color sorting and object identification. With fresh and appealing illustrations and a striking design, this is a concept book with longevity.

Shapes written by Shelley Rotner

An introduction to shapes with examples of real-life objects that resemble those shapes.

This Book Is Gray written and illustrated by Lindsay Ward

Gray just wants to be included. But the other colors are always leaving him out. So he decides to create his own project: an all-gray book. Once upon a time, there lived a wolf, a kitten, and a hippo… Gray just knows it’s going to be perfect. But as he adds page after page, the Primary and Secondary colors show up…and they aren’t quite so complimentary.

My Shape is Sam written by Amanda Jackson

In a place where jobs are based on shape, Sam, who looks like a square but longs to roll like a circle, discovers his true, unique shape.

The Shape of Home written and illustrated by Rashin Kheiriyeh

It’s Rashin’s first day of school in America! Everything is a different shape than what she’s used to: from the foods on her breakfast plate to the letters in the books! And the kids’ families are from all over! The new teacher asks each child to imagine the shape of home on a map. Rashin knows right away what she’ll say: Iran looks like a cat! What will the other kids say? Open this book to join Rashin in discovering the true things that shape a place called home.

Nonfiction

Get in Shape : two-dimensional and three-dimensional shapes written by Rob Colson

Learn how three-dimensional objects fit together to make the world around us.What shape do bees build with? How do you flatten a pyramid? Why is a polar bear so big?

Monster Knows Shapes written by Lori Capote, Lori,

This monster is finding shapes at the beach. Look, and you’ll see several of each: square, circles, ovals, and stars. Shapes are everywhere you are!

Building Shapes with Marshmallows and Toothpicks: http://: https://homeschoolpreschool.net/building-shapes-marshmallows/

15 Fun, Hands-On Activities for Learning About 2D and 3D Shapes: http://: https://childhood101.com/hands-on-activities-for-learning-about-2d-3d-shapes/

Stem challenges: https://carlyandadam.com/thecarlyandadam/5-read-aloud-stem-steam-and-coding-challenges-using-only-paper-and-tape?format=amp

Make your own polyhedral: https://mathcraft.wonderhowto.com/how-to/welcome-math-craft-world-bonus-make-your-own-paper-polyhedra-0130467/

Building with Playdough | Simple STEM Challenge for Kids: https://lemonlimeadventures.com/building-with-playdough-simple-stem-challenge-for-kids/

Rocking Rhinos!

We are Going to be Pals! Written and illustrated by Mark Teague

A talkative cattle egret explains to a rhinoceros that in addition to having a symbiotic relationship, they also have a friendship built on communication, kindness, and a respect for boundaries.

The Book that Kibo Wrote written and illustrated by Mariana Ruiz Johnson

One night in the savanna, Kibo the rhino writes a book, and it travels from reader to reader, connecting animals from across the globe.

Reggie, My Rhinoceros written by Werner Holzwarth

A rhinoceros and an oxpecker bird share an unusual friendship, which only deepens as one nears the end of life.

A Family for Faru written by Anitha Rao-Robinson

Tetenya is looking for a family of rhinos to take in an orphan named Faru, but he can see poachers nearby. He stains Faru’s horn pink with berry juice, making it useless to the poachers. At last they find a herd protected by a ranger, and Faru is safe.

I’m in Charge written by Jeanne Willis

When a little rhino, who likes to make the rules, finds a tree bursting with fruit, he is not about to share it with any of the other animals since he is in charge, but it looks like things are about to change.

Friends Stick Together written and illustrated by Hannah E.  Harrison

When a loud-mouthed tickbird lands on Mortimer the rhino’s nose and starts a symbiotic relationship, the reserved Mortimer is mortified, until he realizes they just might be the perfect pair.

Rhinos Don’t eat Pancakes written by Anna Kemp

Daisy is eating her breakfast when a big purple rhinoceros strolls into the kitchen–just like that! Then it takes a bite out of her pancake–just like that! Daisy tries to tell her parents, but they’re much too busy to listen. So Daisy starts talking to the rhino instead…until her parents finally take notice of their enormous purple visitor!

Rita’s Rhino written by Tony Ross

When Rita’s mother refuses to get her a pet, Rita goes to the zoo and returns with a rhinoceros–but keeping a pet rhino a secret proves to be much trickier than she ever imagined.

Nonfiction

Rhinoceroses written by Stephanie Warren Drimmer

Did you know that rhino calves can weigh up to 100 pounds?!Nature’s Children series provides young readers (ages 8-10) with fascinating information about the planet’s most incredible wildlife species.

Rhino facts: https://www.natgeokids.com/uk/discover/animals/general-animals/rhinoceros-facts/

Rhino paper plate craft: https://www.craftymorning.com/paper-plate-rhino-craft-kids/

How to draw a rhinoceros: https://artprojectsforkids.org/how-to-draw-a-rhinoceros/

Rockin’ Rhino :  https://popgoesthepage.princeton.edu/rockin-rhino/

The Lives of Trees

All Kinds of Special written by Tammi Sauer

Mia discovers the joy of community and friendship when she and Mama share the delicious fruit from their mango tree with their new neighbors.

The More You Give written by Marcy Campbell

A modern-day response to The Giving Tree, this lyrical picture book shows how family love is passed down from generation to generation.

Nell Plants a Tree written by Anne Wynter

Three generations of a family grow up and come together around one pecan tree.

The Tree and the River written and illustrated by Aaron Becker

In an alternate past–or possible future–a mighty tree stands on the banks of a winding river, bearing silent witness to the flow of time and change. A family farms the fertile valley. Soon, a village sprouts, and not long after, a town. Residents learn to harness the water, the wind, and the animals in order to survive and thrive. The growing population becomes ever more industrious and clever, bending nature itself to their will and their ambition: redirecting rivers, harvesting lumber, reshaping the land, even extending daylight itself.

The Together Tree written by Aisha Saeed

Rumi’s family has moved to a new town and he is feeling lonely and left out at school because one of the other kids, Asher, is a bully–until Sebastian joins him, drawing in the dirt under the old willow tree.

The City Tree written by Shira Boss

A newly planted sidewalk tree in the city transforms the neighborhood as residents nurture it through the seasons.

I Live in a Tree Trunk written by Meg Fleming

“I live in a tree trunk. I live in a barn. I live in a shoebox. I’m down on the farm… Soon all the other animals can’t help but share what their homes are called, too. Readers will learn about porcupines, salamanders, groundhogs, and more. But when the rabbit, platypus, and meerkat realize their homes share the same name, they can’t believe it. “Are you for SURE? I had NO clue!” becomes a catchy, energetic refrain readers will love chanting.

My Mommies Built a Treehouse written by Gareth Peter

A boy and his mothers build a treehouse fit for a prince.

My Dad is a Tree written and illustrated by Jon Agee

A little girl convinces her dad to be a tree all day long, no matter what, even in the rain, in this imaginative picture book that encourages playing pretend and pays tribute to parents.

Nonfiction:

Rise to the Sky: how the world’s tallest trees grow up written by Rebecca E Hirsch

Trees are the tallest living things on Earth. But how do they grow to be so tall? Science writer Rebecca E. Hirsch presents a poetic introduction to the tree life cycle in Rise to the Sky. Accompanied by Mia Posada’s detailed collage illustrations, this book features the tallest tree species from around the world, including the coast redwood, the Sitka spruce, and the giant sequoia.

One Million Trees: a true story written by Kristen Balouch

A true story about when the author was a little girl and she and her family traveled to Canada to help plant trees to replace ones that had been removed by loggers.

Listen to the Language of the Trees: a story of how forests communicate underground

Readers will discover that trees have their own social network, and helping one another thrive is trending. The fascinating mycorrhizal fungi network runs underground through the forest via the roots of trees, allowing for connection and communication.

Learning about trees: https://www.thepeacefulpreschool.com/blog/learning-about-trees-a-guest-post

Learning about forests: http://lifelivedinunknown.blogspot.com/2011/07/learning-about-temperant-forests.html

Nature activities for kids: https://www.kcedventures.com/nature-activities-for-kids-trees-animal-habitats/

Leaf print art: https://theimaginationtree.com/leaf-printing-art/

Nature is Nice!

Zap! Clap! Boo: the story of a thunderstorm written by Laura Purdie Salas

What starts as a blue-sky day begins to turn into rolling thunder as a storm brews.

Beneath written and illustrated by Cori Doerrfeld

Finn is in a bad mood, so his grandfather takes him on a walk in the forest, and tells him about all the things that are beneath the surface of plants and animals–and even people.

Don’t Touch that Flower written by Alice Hemming

Squirrel is apprehensive about the arrival of Spring until he spots a wildflower and tries to claim it as his own, not understanding his overbearing protectiveness is doing more harm than good. Includes information on flowers.

The Moon Remembers written and illustrated by E. B. Goodale

A loving, timeless ode to how the moon remembers each of us as babies and watches over all of us too-whether human, furred, feathered, or finned.

The City Tree written by Shira Boss

A newly planted sidewalk tree in the city transforms the neighborhood as residents nurture it through the seasons.

Nell Plants a Tree written by Anne Wynter

Three generations of a family grow up and come together around one pecan tree.

Just a Worm written and illustrated by Marie Boyd

Upset at being called “just a worm,” worm sets out around the garden to find out what the other insects do, and discover his own role in keeping the garden healthy.

Eco Girl written and illustrated by Ken Wilson-Max

Emulating her favorite baobab trees, Eve contributes to the beauty of the forest by nurturing her very own baobab seedling, becoming an environmental steward to express her love for all things leafy and green.

Nonfiction

My Big Book of Outdoors written and illustrated by Tim Hopgood

Discover the great outdoors with this beautifully illustrated treasury that celebrates the wonder of nature in four glorious seasons. From vibrant springtime flowers to sweet fruits on summer trees, the falling of autumn leaves and snowdrops in winter, this book of four seasons is the perfect introduction to the big outdoors. Discover why birds fly south in winter, find animal footprints in the snow and learn to make the perfect snowflake; grow a sunflower, find a feather and make a daisy chain. Full of activities, poetry and fun facts to explore, this bumper book is jam-packed with amazing things to see and do outdoors – the perfect gift for every season.

Nature sun catcher: https://www.messylittlemonster.com/2020/06/nature-suncatcher-craft.html

Magic nature wand: https://littlefishblog.com/make-a-magic-wand-with-a-stick/

Nature construction craft:

https://www.thecrafttrain.com/bush-critters