On Our Way With Mr. Jay
Written by Chelsea Lin Wallace and Illustrated by Thyra Heder
An Amazon Best Book of the Month, Ages 6-8
★"Mr. Jay commands School Bus 3—and the 18 kids on the route adore him. Lavishly energetic slice-of-life marker, pencil, and ink artwork by Heder shows Mr. Jay bringing unshakable cool to bear on an obstacle course of switchbacks, cobblestone roads, and an interstate, but his true appeal lies in his attentiveness. . . . Wallace’s rhyming text, which scans cleverly across running lines and dialogue balloons, returns to an anchoring refrain. . . . Starring a beloved adult who brings everyone together, this jubilant picture book hails its school-commute VIP."
—Publishers Weekly, Starred Review
"The expressive, full-color illustrations depict students who vary in skin tone. Heder’s portrayal of long-haired, pale-skinned Mr. Jay in a safety vest makes for a delightfully jovial archetype. Speech bubbles effectively give voice to the large cast of characters without detracting from the engaging rhyme scheme. A route worth taking—and a gift for classrooms everywhere."
—Kirkus Reviews
“A little piece of picture book magic can be found in this slice-of-life portrayal of the role of a bus driver in the community school ecosystem. In rhyming couplets the text navigates the tumultuous, joyful, complex yet ordinary day of dedicated bus driver Mr. Jay, who is white, bearded, and balding with salt-and-pepper hair. The protagonist serves by turns as an inspector, a surrogate caretaker, an animal wrangler, a skilled improviser, a safety officer, and a one-man search and rescue team—a complex hero.. . . Wallace’s sturdy writing contains plenty of alliteration and rhyme and delightful language, but never distracts from Heder’s expressive illustrations that brim with energy and humorous candor. Essential for building universal respect for the school bus drivers who pour their hearts into the work they do each day, this book will find a place on most shelves."
—School Library Journal