Review Detail

Mr. Jay, the school bus driver, has to get the students to school before the bell rings. He has to pick up kids all over town, and along this journey, he has to help fix a diorama, settle stomachs, and fight off hostile swans. Can Mr. Jay get everyone to school on time, given all these interruptions?

What I Liked: This book opens by introducing you to Mr. Jay, who lets you know that he has to get the kids to school by a certain time. As you go along this journey, this book has you on the edge of your seat as you wonder if Mr. Jay can get to school on time. There’s so much that happens along this journey that makes you more and more appreciative of school bus drivers and all they do for us.

This book has realistic illustrations that accompany silly yet realistic situations that a bus driver might encounter. There were situations such as children feeling sick, a dog getting onto the bus, and children losing their project in a tree because of the wind. There are also silly scenarios, such as the bus driver chasing the geese away so a child can get on the bus, or a group of siblings getting onto the bus, and the mom ensuring that they are all there.

Final Verdict: On Our Way with Mr. Jay is a delightful book that celebrates school bus drivers by showcasing everything they do each morning just to get children safely to school. Children ages 4 and up will enjoy this fun and silly book that they will relate to if they have ever taken a rowdy school bus. This book does a great job of highlighting the importance of school bus drivers and can help teach children to appreciate the work that these community members do.