Those few steps up to the big yellow school bus can be scary to a kindergartner or other students who might be leaving to go somewhere on their own for the first time.
Dattco bus company, which operates 1,700 school buses in Connecticut and Rhode Island, has come up with a fun way to help allay that anxiety and teach the rules to school bus newcomers.
They’ve published “Big Yellow Adventure,” a free children’s book online and in print and a coloring book. Dattco’s team, including its top brass, went on a tour of sorts this summer reading the book at kindergarten orientations.
Both books are available in English and Spanish.
“We’ve had a huge response to the book,” said Don DeVivo president and owner of Dattco, which celebrates its 100th birthday this year. “I think the book makes it better for everyone.”
DeVivo said riding the bus for the first time is, “a big deal.”
“It’s the first time the kids are leaving the house by themselves,” he said, adding, “Sometimes it’s more traumatic for the moms than it is for the kids.”
The book and coloring book “Big Yellow Adventure” has been published by DATTCO to make children comfortable with riding a school bus while teaching them safety. (Contributed)
Dattco’s Paul Mayer, vice-president of marketing and communications wrote the book and it was illustrated by Nancy Ingenito, Dattco’s graphic designer.
Mayer said he cleared the message of the book with mental health professionals at Optimus Health Care to make sure they addressed all issues properly.
“The DeVivo family really does care about the community we serve,” Mayer said, noting it’s in the company culture to give back.
The book narrates Lily’s first experience riding a school bus, highlighting her nervousness and the joy of making new friends.
Lily’s mother reassures her that it will be fun and encourages her to focus on the surroundings.
The bus driver, Mrs. Jones, greets Lily warmly, making her feel welcome, as Lily chooses a window seat and begins to notice interesting sights outside. She meets a new friend, Milo, who shares his own experiences.
Lily employs strategies to manage her anxiety during the bus ride.
Part of the story are safety tips, such as to never play with emergency exits, always use the handrail for stairs, and never throw objects on the bus or out of windows. They also learn to keep aisles and floors clear at all times.
“The main focus it that kids know the safety rules,” Don DeVivo said. “They think it’s a big playground.”
He noted that reading a book to a child is always a valuable experience.
His son Kyle DeVivo, CEO of Dattco, said the book is “great for people just getting started with bus.”
“Walking up those steps for the first time can be daunting,” the younger DeVivo said.
Don DeVivo, owner and president of DATTCO, a bus company, reads the company’s free book, “Big Yellow Adventure,” to a group of young students in Cheshire. (Contributed)
He said the book offers a nice balance between fun and safety. The book can be downloaded for free on the website, but they also got 10,000 printed copies for school districts.
“For us we are also trying to participate in the communities we serve,” he said.
“We know the school bus is by far the safest way to get from home to school.”
