'A Bus Called Heaven' by Bob Graham

My mentor teacher wanted me to read this book ‘A Bus Called Heaven’  by Bob Graham to a small group of students in PAR and made concept maps about what happened in the story. The illustrations are lovely and the book is suitable for all ages (in my case I read it to a small group of grade 3 and 4s).

The story features little girl named, Stella, who brings a town of people together in an effort to restore an old bus known as Heaven. The people from the community clean up and decorate the bus and start using it as a gathering place – a place to hold meetings, a place to hang out, etc.  Until one day the bus gets towed away by the council as it seems to be blocking traffic. It seems as though the neighborhood hangout is gone forever. Until little Sophie has an idea on how to save the bus.  

The story teaches students about creativity, cooperation, appreciation and a bit of nostalgia.  It’s a wonderful book that talks about how the community comes together to put in an effort to accomplish something with passion. There are so many ways we as teachers can use this story into a lesson. Like I said I did concepts maps, another suggestion could be allowing students to write alternative endings or illustrating their favourite part of the book. It’s one of those books where you can read to all ages and they will understand it just like that as it sends out a simple message.