Cows on the Bus Spiral-Bound | February 9, 2021

Sing along with this board book designed to grab toddlers’ attention.

The recognizable rhythms of “The Wheels on the Bus” pair vehicles with farm animals for a rollicking good read. The fun starts right on the cover, with cows as both passengers and driver sitting in a red double-decker bus. The word moo in a cutout window hints at what’s to come. Pull the tab to reveal the full text, which incorporates the title and is continued on a sliding panel: “The Cows on the Bus / Go moo / moo MOO! / All day long!” This is followed by ducks quacking on a boat, sheep driving a car, pigs flying in a plane, and dogs on a train. Finally, a rocket is big enough for all the animal friends when pulled up to its full size. Tabs alternating between the right side of the book and the top could be confusing, but the correct tab is conveniently color-coded with the appropriate background and holds a thumbnail picture of the corresponding animal. The panel that slides out is 4.75 by 4.25 inches wide, almost the same size as the book. The large tabs and thick sliders withstand rough handling and slide smoothly, making it nearly perfect toddler design. The back side of each large tab is decorated with repeated images found on adjacent pages (fish, clouds, butterflies) so if one is left open, it does not disrupt the experience of the next spread.

Pull-tabs, animal sounds, vehicles, and an irresistible song—an ideal mix for toddlers. (Board book. 1-3) —Kirkus Reviews