GUS HEARTS THE BUS

It’s the beginning of a beautiful friendship when a young boy boards a bus for the first time.

Sometime between the “phissssh!” of the brakes, the “creak, clunk” of the doors opening, and the “DING” of the cord that the passengers pull to signal a stop, Gus falls in love with the bus. He explores different seats until he finds the perfect one and watches the driver steer hand over hand as she makes a turn. Gus wants to ride the bus everywhere, and he wants others to ride often, too. He even becomes an expert on all the city bus routes and designs an imaginary route of his own. When his family decides to visit New York City and ride a bus there, Gus is totally on board. He checks the routes before they leave and confidently leads the way after his parents get the family lost. Happily, even buses in New York brake with a “phissssh” and open their doors with a “creak, clunk.” Though low on conflict, Leslie’s simply told story captures the single-minded passion that many youngsters feel for vehicles. Ladi’s cozy, muted illustrations convey Gus’ energy during his first bus ride, his deep dive into the bus world, and the bustling crowds of New York City. Gus’ family is dark-haired and tan-skinned; his community is diverse.

A gently joyful tale for vehicle-loving tots.