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The Topsy-Turvy Bus by Anita Fitch Pazner (Book Review)

Reuse, recycle, renew, and rethink!

Climb aboard the Topsy-Turvy Bus with Maddy and Jake as it travels around the country teaching communities the importance of taking care of the earth and creating a better, cleaner, healthier world.

Based on a real Topsy-Turvy Bus created by Hazon, the largest Jewish environmental organization in North America.

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For Teachers & Librarians

Bring Anita into your classroom! View her presentation list.

Download classroom worksheets here:

Worm Maze

Word Search

Word Scramble

Beginner Crossword Puzzle

Intermediate Crossword Puzzle

Topsy Turvy Coloring Page

Picture Matching Game

 

(review request submitted by the publisher for an honest critique) 

 

The Topsy-Turvy Bus is correct: “Our planet is dirty and messy.” Plastic bottles and garbage are littering our waters and our coastlines. The problem isn’t only the trash that plagues our seas. There’s also pollution from cars, fertilizers that taint our soils, and the adverse effects drilling and mining have on our environment. Earth is hurting, but how do we help it?

The children in the story don’t know what to do and discuss the issue when the most unusual bus rolls down the street. “Nobody had ever seen a bus like the Topsy-Turvy Bus. It was upside down and right side up, all at the same time. And it didn’t run on gasoline.” I’ve been behind trucks that smell like french fries from using recycled fast-food restaurants’ frying oil as fuel, but donuts—now, that’s a vehicle I’d love to travel behind or on! 

The Topsy-Turvy Bus will inspire children to think outside the box and be creative in reusing, recycling, or repurposing things around their house and community. Maybe your family or school could make this a project. 

Years ago, as a teacher, our school taught students the importance and value of starting a compost. Each classroom started and maintained one. I encourage you to read “Make Your Own Compost” and consider constructing one for your home or classroom. And as always, please reduce, recycle, and reuse.

Side note: I was shocked to realize the topsy-turvy bus was real. “You can find a Topsy-Turvy Bus in two locations in the United States. The first is in Connecticut, the second in Michigan. Both run on biodiesel fuel consisting of reusable veggie oil. The buses were created to teach kids how to recycle, rethink, reuse, and renew our world’s resources.” If I’m ever in those two states, I plan to hop aboard the unique and environmentally friendly topsy-turvy bus.

 

Heart Rating System:

1 (lowest) and 5 (highest) 

Score: ❤❤

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About the Author

Anita earned an MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults from the Vermont College of Fine Arts (VCFA) and a Master Gardening degree from Michigan State University. She’s created picture-book workshops for kids of all ages, ranging from second graders to high school students. She’s presented lectures for the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI), VCFA, and The Association of Writers & Writing Programs (AWP). She continues to volunteer her time to several non-profit organizations including Hazon, dedicated to making the world a better, cleaner, kinder place for us all. Anita spends her free time training a rascally dog, named Finn, and playing in the dirt. 

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On Your Mark, Get Set, INVEST! by Luke Villermin (Book Review)

A KID’S GUIDE TO SAVING MONEY, SPENDING WISELY, AND INVESTING IN THE STOCK MARKET

Feet thumping and arms swinging, Thrifty Tortoise and Ritzy Rabbit set off on a race to the finish line. At the end awaits a brand-new bike! Follow this competition to see who can earn, save, and invest their way to the ultimate prize. Lots of money decisions will be made along the way—some good and some bad—but you’ll get to learn from them all!

Geared for kids ages 8 to 12, On Your Mark, Get Set, INVEST provides seven engaging chapters to simplify the essential concepts of personal finance and money management…many of which are not taught in schools. You will find answers to questions like:

  • Where does money come from, what do I need it for, and where do I store it?
  • Why will I be better off later if I spend less and save more now?
  • How does creating a budget help me reach my money goals?
  • What is the stock market, and how is compounding a kid’s most awesome superpower?

With over a dozen interactive worksheets, fun illustrations, and kid-friendly examples, this book will get you closer to the finish line with every turn of the page.

Reading Age: 8 – 12 years

 

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I received a complimentary copy of this book from Reedsy Discovery. I voluntarily chose to read and post an honest review.

 

On Your Mark, Get Set, INVEST! by Luke Villermin is a kid’s guide to saving money, spending wisely, and investing in the stock market. As caregivers (parents and educators), we need to take the time to educate children on the value of money and not just a quarter is worth 25 cents, a penny is a cent, and so on. Kids need to realize the importance of money coming into a home and money leaving home and (also) planning for their future. 

On Your Mark, Get Set, INVEST! teaches real-world money lessons through familiar characters (Tortoise and the Hare), simple explanations, charts, and graphs. Despite the cutesy images, this book might be best suited for upper elementary students and older. 

There are numerous bolded words and phrases that would be extra beneficial for teachers when they are developing a lesson plan. Besides the vocabulary lesson, On Your Mark, Get Set, INVEST! by Luke Villermin has plenty of hands-on activities to help a teacher or parent help explain key financial areas: complete the chart, track your savings, personal budget worksheet, and even a stock wishlist. I loved the book discussed debt, bills, and taxes. Three subjects that kids will be facing sooner than they think. Time does fly! 

I wish I had this book when my daughter took a junior high finance course last year. She aced the course but had a lot of questions, and her instructor didn’t simplify it as this book did. 

When my children want a big ticket item, I have them work for it. It teaches them to appreciate the money they earn and makes them rethink if they’re going to spend it on their “I got to have it now” item. On more than one occasion, once they’ve saved up the necessary funds, my children changed their minds about spending their hard-earned dough.

Parents, and educators, I implore you to share this book with your family and class. It makes learning about money management fun. Plus, adults might learn a thing or two as you share this book with them. For instance, I learned the symbols for several currencies around the world. 

Review written/submitted to Reedsy on 8/3/22. #KamsPlace

 

Heart Rating System:
1 (lowest) and 5 (highest) 
Score: ❤❤❤

Amazon Purchase Link

 

 

About the Author

Luke Villermin opened a retirement account and started investing at fifteen years old. His only regret…he didn’t start earlier. Since then, he’s become the best-selling author of the Invest Now Play Later series and has shared his investing knowledge on multiple podcasts and interviews.

Reedsy Author Link

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