The Magic School Bus books are a beloved series of children's educational books written by Joanna Cole and illustrated by Bruce Degen. The books follow the adventures of a quirky teacher named Ms. Frizzle and her class of students as they embark on exciting field trips in a magical school bus. Each book in the series focuses on a particular science topic, such as the human body, the solar system, or the water cycle. Through the use of colorful illustrations and engaging storytelling, the books make complex scientific concepts accessible and entertaining for young readers. One of the unique aspects of the Magic School Bus books is the interactive element.
To celebrate its 20th anniversary, Scholastic is re-releasing the ten original Magic School Bus titles in paperback. With updated scientific information, the bestselling science series ever is back!
Frizzle is voiced by the fantastic Lily Tomlin, while on The Magic School Bus Rides Again her younger sister is now the teacher, and is voiced by the very funny Kate McKinnon. Written as a companion to the original picture book series, The Magic School Bus Presents books are nonfiction with lots of factual information about a topic.
One of the unique aspects of the Magic School Bus books is the interactive element. As the class goes on its field trips, readers are encouraged to participate by lifting flaps, turning wheels, or pulling tabs to reveal hidden information or perform experiments. This hands-on approach to learning helps to reinforce the lessons presented in the books and encourages children to explore and study science beyond the pages.
The Magic School Bus Books and Beyond
As a teacher, I always wished I could whisk my learners away on fantastical adventures in outer space or deep in the ocean, just like Ms. Frizzle, affectionately known as The Friz, on The Magic School Bus. She really gave teachers a high bar to live up to, especially when planning field trips! The original Magic School Bus book series was written in the 1980s but still holds up today in many ways since they are filled with fun facts about popular science topics, such as hurricanes, bees, and the human body. There is a lot to choose from when diving into the Magic School Bus series, so here’s what you need to know.
The Original Magic School Bus Picture Books
Written by Joanna Cole and illustrated by Bruce Degen, there are about 13 books in the original series. The Magic School Bus picture books are created for children ages six and up. However, I’ve read these to younger children as well, and they are usually a hit. They include a wacky linear story about the topic, such as the class getting lost in space while learning about space, and each page contains facts in fun ways, like notes or mini-essays from the kids in Ms. Frizzle’s class. By the end, everyone has learned something new about the book’s subject. Ms. Frizzle never seems fazed that her magic bus has gone a bit haywire, and most of the students love these “hands-on” field trips, except Arnold! These are a great jumping-off point when delving into non-fiction or if you want more information on a new topic.
The Magic School Bus Chapter Books
The Magic School chapter books are fantastic for learners who are beginning to read more confidently on their own or to read aloud a chapter or two at a time. They are a more in-depth story than the original picture books, but still contain factual information and are easy to understand. Even better, the chapter books are just as much fun as the picture books, and not very long, so even reluctant readers may embrace this series.
The Magic School Bus Presents (Nonfiction Books)
Written as a companion to the original picture book series, The Magic School Bus Presents books are nonfiction with lots of factual information about a topic. The nonfiction books are similar to the Magic School Bus series in that they feature the original characters and showcase fun ways to present the facts, like essays from the class, but they don’t include a story. These titles are research books just right for kindergarten and up.
Alternate Series: Ms. Frizzle’s Adventures
Ms. Frizzle’s Adventures, the Liz series, and The Science Fact Finder books are all lesser-known Magic School Bus spin-off books, but if you can find them at your local library or bookshop, they are great additions to the Magic School Bus canon. Liz the Lizard is a popular character that is heavily featured in the television show and in some of the books, so it is fun to read about her adventures while still learning science facts. And who doesn’t want to know what Ms. Frizzle is getting up to her vacations without the class?! Spoiler alert, it is more magical adventures!
Magic School Bus and The Magic School Bus Rides Again Television Shows
The original series still holds up even though there is a reboot called The Magic School Bus Rides Again. Though there are times when the classmates are not the nicest to each other (or Ms. Frizzle), it really is a fun show filled with interesting information, just like the books. Even better than the average educational show, most episodes have a corresponding book where learners can revisit or deepen their knowledge of a topic. The original Ms. Frizzle is voiced by the fantastic Lily Tomlin, while on The Magic School Bus Rides Again her younger sister is now the teacher, and is voiced by the very funny Kate McKinnon. Though I’ll admit that I think it’s strange to see a younger version of Ms. Frizzle, this is screen time that I feel can actually be educational. Whatever way you choose to introduce the Magic School Bus to your children, it is a fun way to learn about new topics while also diving into imagination. These stories build knowledge while also strengthening curiosity, flexible thinking, cognitive skills, and an interest in research. Check out one or them all, you’re bound to learn something new from The Magic School Bus!
What age is The Magic School Bus appropriate for?
The books are written for readers ages 6 to 9, but the show can be watched by all ages, particularly ages 4 to 10.
What streaming service has The Magic School Bus?
Watch The Magic School Bus on Prime Video and You Tube. But the newer The Magic School Bus Rides Again is streaming on Netflix.
Watch The Magic School Bus on Prime Video and You Tube. But the newer The Magic School Bus Rides Again is streaming on Netflix.
Another feature of the series is the character development. Each student in Ms. Frizzle's class has a distinct personality and area of interest, which allows children to relate to different characters and find a role model that resonates with them. The books also emphasize teamwork and problem-solving skills as the class works together to solve challenges and overcome obstacles during their field trips. The Magic School Bus books have been widely praised for their ability to make science fun and engaging for children. They have also been adapted into a popular animated television series, which further expanded their reach and popularity. The books continue to be a staple in many classrooms and homes, inspiring generations of young readers to develop a love for science and exploration..
Reviews for "Using the Magic School Bus Books as a Teaching Tool"
- John Smith - 2 out of 5 stars - I found the Magic School Bus books to be quite dull and uninteresting. The stories seemed repetitive and lacked depth. The characters were one-dimensional and didn't have much personality. The educational aspect felt forced and took away from the enjoyment of reading. Overall, I was disappointed and wouldn't recommend these books.
- Sarah Thompson - 2 out of 5 stars - I've heard so many great things about the Magic School Bus books, but I just couldn't get into them. The writing style felt juvenile and the storytelling wasn't engaging enough for me. I understand that these books are meant for children, but I believe there are other children's books out there that are much more captivating and entertaining. I wish I could see what all the hype is about, but unfortunately, these books didn't do it for me.
- Michael Johnson - 1 out of 5 stars - I found the Magic School Bus books to be extremely repetitive and predictable. The same formula of going on a field trip, encountering a problem, and finding a solution became tiresome after a few books. The illustrations were also quite basic and didn't add much to the overall reading experience. I was hoping for more creativity and excitement from these books, but unfortunately, they fell short of my expectations.