Ten Rules You ABSOLUTELY MUST NOT BREAK if You Want to Survive the School Bus

Lighten the mood surrounding your child(ren)s return to school with this funny, lighthearted school bus tale... (not recommended for first time riders who take things very literally)!

Grandits, John.
Ten Rules You ABSOLUTELY MUST NOT BREAK if You Want to Survive the School Bus.
July 2011.
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
Review copy provided courtesy of publisher.

As Kyle's first morning of riding the bus to school begins, his older brother James decides to give him some brotherly advice. He starts out with the basics... Don't get to the bus stop too early. Or too late! And then, the rules become a little more complex!

Rule #1: Never sit in the first row.
Rule #2: Never sit in the last row.
Rule #3: Never, ever make yourself stand out in any way.
Rule #4: Never make eye contact.
Rule #5: Never touch anyone's stuff.
Rule #6: Never talk to big kids.
Rule #7: Never talk to girls.
Rule #8: Never mess with the bully.
Rule #9: Never be the last one on the bus.
Rule #10: Never, absolutely never, mess with the bus driver.

Unintentionally, Kyle breaks every single one of the rules by the time his first day of riding the bus is over! However, by the time he arrives home to find James waiting for him, Kyle has learned an 11th rule that he never expected to -

Rule Eleven:

Never, absolutely never,
pay attention to your
big brother's list of
Ten Rules You Absolutely
Must Not Break
if You Want to Survive
the School Bus!

This story is just what middle elementary children will find welcoming as they head back to start a new school year! I advise against sharing this book with the younger children unless they have developed a sense of humor and can distinguish humor from reality, as so many take things literally at a young age. I'd hate for a kindergartener to be sent off on the bus fearing for their life! All in all, it's a funny story that will likely be enjoyed!



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School Bus Safety Week

This week is set aside to focus attention on school bus safety - from the standpoint of the bus drivers, students and the motoring public. Annually, the third full week of October (October 18-23, 2009), starting on Sunday. For more information, visit:
National Association for Pupil Transportation.
-The Teacher's Calendar, 2008-2009

Pulver, Robin.
Axle Annie and the Speed Grump.
2005.
Dial Books for Young Readers.
Source: Borrowed copy from local library

Summary from Barnes & Noble:

Axle Annie, Burskyville's best, most beloved school bus driver, has a big problem, and that problem has a name: Rush Hotfoot. Rush is an absolute menace -- always in both a hurry and a bad mood, driving full blast down the street. He even ignores the bus's stop-sign arm! But if anybody can tame the speed grump, Annie can. With hilarious illustrations and tons of kid-appeal, this companion to the original Axle Annie is sure to make readers giggle and cheer for the kind of superhero they might see every day.

So... I'm thinking this book is probably more appropriate for parents as far as "bus safety" is concerned! While kids will definitely enjoy the somewhat rhyming text and funny story, parents are the real ones learning a lesson here - to be cautious of school buses and to obey the rules in their presence! It's definitely a great book to put out on display in the library throughout the school-year in an effort to be sure children who ride the bus are safe when boarding and departing! The book would also be appropriate for bus safety week, because it could be used as a springboard for a discussion about bus safety rules for children after discussing bus safety for adults!

Crews, Donald.
School Bus.
1984.
Greenwillow Books.
Source: Borrowed from local library

Summary from Barnes & Noble:

Follows the progress of school buses as they take children to school and bring them home again.

This book would be perfect for first year school children who will be riding the bus for the first time. It's doesn't make mention of any bus safety rules, but it would make for a perfect introduction to youngsters about riding the bus. From there, you could easily use this book to discuss bus safety!

Bus Safety Games:

• School Bus Safety Fill in the Blank Game
• School Bus Connect-the-Dots
• School Bus Safety - Good Idea, Bad Idea
• School Bus Word Search
• School Bus Safety - Painting Game
• School Bus Safety - Crossing the Street in the Right Order

Bus Safety Worksheets (PreK-Grade 2)

• Waiting for the Bus (page 12)
• Correct Way to Approach the Bus (page 15)
• Boarding the Bus (page 18)
• Behaving on the Bus (page 21)
• Teaching Drivers of Other Cars What to Do (page 26)
• Dropping and Retrieving Papers - Connect the Dots (page 35)

Bus Safety Worksheets (Grades 3-5):

• True or False: Bus Safety Rules (page 57)
• "Cool" or "Uncool" Bus Behaviors (page 53)
• Glad Bus, Sad Bus (page 49)
• Fill in the Blank (page46)
• ABC's of Bus Safety (page 43)
• Leaving the Bus - Always or Never (page 65)
• Reordering Bus Departure (page 68)
• Dropping and Retrieving Paper (page 71)
  

If you're interested in finding out more information about any of the books reviewed or if you'd like to purchase the books, click the cover image for a link to Amazon.com.