The Wheels on the Bus: Animal Adventure

PreS—Since preschoolers often look forward to riding the bus, the concept for this program scores big. Argon the dragon, dressed in an adult-sized costume and voiced by Roger Daltry of Who fame, is the bus driver. Regular bus riders include puppets Mango the Monkey and Papaya the Toucan, as well as Coco, a real child who appears to be about nine years old and has a remarkable singing voice. The trio meets the other bus riders who are a mix of humans and puppets, and viewers learn a bit about them and where they are going. There's a dancer going to teach a class, an entomologist on his way to present a "bug show," and a clown heading to a birthday party, among others. The three main characters exit at various child-appealing locations, including an aquarium, a zoo, and a park, and are introduced to the creatures found there. Top quality footage of a wide range of animals, reptiles, and insects is accompanied by their names. The bus set features a realistic interior with video appearing through the windows to create a sense of motion. Scenes of the bus traveling around town make use of computer animation. Many creative variations of the classic "Wheels on the Bus" song are featured with child riders singing and miming actions. Additional songs are performed by Daltry with funny sock puppet back-up singers. Preschoolers will enjoy the ride and the music, learn a bit, and may extend the inviting concept into their play.—Constance Dickerson, Cleveland Heights-University Heights Public Library, OH