It’s time for another school year to begin. How time flies! Pretty soon fall will arrive, then Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, 2022 — OK, I’m not going to panic. This happens every year, so we should all be used to it by now, right?
On the subject of school, I’ve noticed quite a few school buses on the streets — practicing their routes, no doubt. This means students, teachers, parents and buses are getting ready for a brand-new school year. I wonder, do school buses get first day jitters, too? I’ll bet they worry about stuff. Are my tires dirty? Do I have gum sticking to a seat? Will the other buses like me? After all, good first impressions are important, no matter the situation or entity.
So, where am I going with all of this? Believe it or not, I’m rambling my way to the topic of transportation. When I was a little girl, I thought school buses were cool. I also liked watching airplanes and riding around in my parents’ 1964 Chevrolet Station Wagon. Fast forward many, many — yep, many years, and I watched my young nephews get excited by every airplane, truck and train that entered their world. Station wagons, not so much.
The point is, kids like things that go, and that’s why I’m highlighting children’s nonfiction books about airplanes, automobiles, ships and trains. I still remember my first airplane trip, my first train ride, and my first time on a boat — these memories will always be with me. The next best thing to experiencing all of these exciting modes of transportation is to read about them, so here’s a short list of titles to help you and your kids go vroom! By the way, since I brought up Halloween I decided to include “Haunted Ships, Planes, and Cars” by Grace Ramsey. Do ghosts like ships, planes and automobiles, too? Only one way to find out — read the book!
