Trusty Bus

Weiss Verdick’s rhythmic onomatopoeia-filled lines narrate yellow school bus Trusty’s jam-packed workday in this safety-oriented picture book. After an opening systems check, Driver Dee, a brown bear, takes Trusty out on his route picking up various fully anthropomorphized critters. Throughout, italicized text gives voice to the bus’s pride-filled perspective: “I’m a hustling-bustling trusty bus! Count on me.” Though a late student and ducklings at a crosswalk slow the group’s journey, “Trusty keeps safety in mind. His caution lights shine,” and the group manages to arrive in time. Later, a stop for gas, tire air, and “a wash from top to tailpipe—scrub-scrub!” prepares Trusty for the reverse route as well as concluding appreciations from adoring riders. Harter’s digital renderings and mottled textures convey a New England neighborhood vibe. Ages 4–8.

A familiar journey to school from the perspective of an iconic vehicle. Using comforting onomatopoeia and rhyme, Trusty Bus takes readers through its daily routine of getting ready for the day, picking up children for school, and bringing them home. Trusty has a sense of self-awareness (he wonders if his driver notices he needs a bath) and dedication (he hopes his extra stops won’t make him late), echoing the development of a child who might be entrusted to his care as well as the experiences of those reading the book. The story has a similar feel to Netflix’s popular show Trash Truck. While Trusty may not be overly loquacious, his simple, genuine personality will be appreciated and loved by readers. Warm and minimalistic illustrations show the expressive features of Trusty and his driver, a friendly brown bear named Dee, and add to the darling details of the feathered and scaled inhabitants of the town, enhancing its cozy, homey charm. VERDICT A comforting tale about a necessary and sometimes overlooked companion in a successful school day. This story will resonate with beginning school populations and lovers of things with wheels. –Amelia Kmiec

A chipper brown bear named Dee and her yellow school bus—the aptly named Trusty—take their jobs seriously. After all, the lives of many little ones rest in their steady hands, er, wheels. After a safety check, Trusty moves slowly through the streets, making multiple stops to pick up a pigtailed frog, an overall-clad pig, and other anthropomorphic young animals. Bighearted Trusty couldn’t be more patient; he cheerfully waits for passengers who are running a bit late or who need one more hug from a caregiver. Trusty also halts so a family of ducks can cross the street safely, but everyone still makes it to school on time. All that work’s gotten Trusty a bit dusty, so Dee gives him a wash, fills him with gas, and adds air to his tires. Trusty’s dependability and kindness don’t go unnoticed; the passengers have a surprise for him when he arrives to take them home. The exuberant, onomatopoeia-laden text makes for a satisfying read-aloud, although there are a few clunky rhyming lines. Alternating between full-page illustrations and spot artwork for variety, the digital artwork brings Trusty to life, carefully portraying his expressive, watchful black eyes and handsome yellow body and making evident his concern for his passengers—this is one bus readers can count on. A simple story to allay children’s fears about riding the school bus. (Picture book. 4-7)