The Squirrel’s on the Bus

Following the success of my visit to the Southgate Beavers Group, I was asked to make a second visit to the Squirrels of Handcross.

The Beaver Scouts were in the age range of 6 to 8 years old; they loved hearing about the Playbus itself and asked lots of questions. It was great sharing the Playbus story, great to see their interest in the bus, and great that they sat and listened so well.

The Squirrel group is designed for children aged 4 to 6 years old. I wondered how the session would go with younger children. I would see how it went and let them dictate the content of the visit.

The squirrels group meet at Handcross Parish Hall - a space for the community, in the heart of the village. I was met on my arrival by Christy, the leader, and shown into the bright hall. It had a stage at one end, and this was the perfect place to set up my book display.

I had also brought along the Girl Guides annual from 1982, which had an article about the Bewbush Playbus and the involvement of the Girl Guides.

I’d also brought along the special Plaque from ’Queen Elizabeth the  2nd Silver Jubilee.’

The Wheels on the Bus and Hey Duggie

My grandchildren love ‘Hey Duggie’, and Squirrels is the name of his group. We, of course, love ‘The Wheels on the Bus’ and have a book with Lions, crocodiles and whales on buses. These are Isabelle’s favourite books.

After the Beavers group, I thought maybe the Beavers could join the bus rhyme.

‘The Beaver’s on the bus, they make a dam, make a dam, make a dam.

The Beavers on the bus they make a dam.

All day long.’

(This was their opening welcome song.)

I wondered what the Squirrels would do. Then they sang their welcome song with a wiggle.

‘The squirrels on the bus they wiggle-wiggle-wiggle, wiggle-wiggle-wiggle, wiggle -wiggle-wiggle.

The squirrels on the bus they wiggle-wiggle-wiggle.

All day long.’

Looks like we will have to make a Wheels on the Bus book of our own.

After their wiggling and jiggling, the squirrels had a run around game going under and over a rope.

Then suitably worn out, they came and sat down to meet me.

I wasn’t sure how the group would go, but once again, like the Beavers, it was the bus itself that caught their attention and interest.

They asked some good questions

Why is Jay-Jay the name of the bus?

The number plate for the real bus was JJK 261, and that seemed a good name to give him. But his name when first made was ‘Supersonic’, and that’s a good name too.

We sang a few rhymes from some of my rhyme books. Of course, we sang ‘The wheels on the bus’ from the 'Playtime and Rhymes', although when written, the red bus was not published, so we added the fifth verse for Maggie, ‘Maggie’s wipers go swish, swish, swish.’

We also used the five 3D models for the ‘Five Little Buses’ rhyme.

We ended the session with the story ‘A Spooky Tale’. I asked them which was their favourite page from the book. Of course, my favourite page is the bus page with its mean monsters. But I don’t think they are mean, I think they are just cheeky children having fun. Maybe they need a verse for our bus book, too?

‘The monsters on the bus they stomp and roar, stomp and roar, stomp and roar.

The monsters on the bus they stomp and roar.

All day long.’

I think our bus driver might end up with a headache with all the cheeky animals on board!

A bit like the Playbus playgroup, I suppose?!

At the end of the session, the children were given the chance to buy a signed copy of any of my books.

I was pleased that the children chose books across the range of books on offer, and I was able to sign and send them away happily. ‘A Spooky Tale’ was certainly popular today.

My next visit after the visit to ‘The Isle of Wight’ Wightrider, Museum event, will be for a pre-school visit in November. I wonder what they could do on the bus?

If you are interested in a similar visit, please get in touch.

Book discounts are available. Please ask.