The Wheels on the Tuk Tuk

August 24, 2015
Motorized rickshaws are used around the world, and in India and other parts of Southeast Asia they are called tuk tuks. “Tuk tuk wala says ‘Squish in together!’ All through the town,” write the Sehgals (A Bucket of Blessings), a mother-and-son team, in this lovely take on “The Wheels on the Bus,” set in an Indian city. As an overstuffed tuk tuk makes its “bobble-bobble-bobble” way through town, “People in the street jump on and off,” paying their fare with rupees that go “ching ching ching.” Readers get a taste of Indian life as the book nods to Hindi beliefs and customs (the tuk tuk stops for a cow, and readers are taught the greeting “namaste-ji”), poppadoms, and the joyous festival of Diwali. Golden (Snow Dog, Sand Dog)—working in bright watercolors, pastels, and pencils with the texture and hues of Diwali color powder—portrays a busy, friendly metropolis where getting sprayed by an elephant can be par for the course. It’s a wonderfully accessible introduction to daily life in another place. Ages 4–8. Illustrator’s agent: Justin Rucker, Shannon Associates.

Starred review from November 1, 2015

PreS-Gr 2-This adaptation of "The Wheels on the Bus" is set in a city in India aboard a tuk tuk, an auto rickshaw used by many for public transportation. The tuk tuk wala, or driver, travels throughout the city picking up more and more passengers as they travel to a Diwali celebration. Along the way, they encounter a cow blocking the street, a chanting yogi, an elephant decorated in paint, and some local fare, including papadoms and chai. The illustrations are vibrant with pastels and bright watercolors and the amalgam of people, animals, foods, and buildings blend together effectively to transport readers to a location with which many children will not be familiar. Every detail in the illustrations feels deliberate and organic to the locale. An author's note is included that shares a brief narrative from the events that inspired this adaptation, as well as a definition of some of the terms used in the story. VERDICT An enjoyable and original picture book that will allow readers to experience a different culture while maintaining the familiarity to a classic childhood song.-Matthew C. Winner, Ducketts Lane Elementary School, Elkridge, MD

Copyright 2015 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

November 1, 2015
Preschool-G This joins a legion of wheels-on-the-bus books but with a distinctly urban Indian flavor. Readers from within the culture will be delighted to recognize language, customs, and familiar scenes. Newcomers will learn that a tuk tuk is a three-wheeled minibus, money is called rupees, namaste is a respectful greeting, and sometimes cows doze in the middle of the street, so the driver has no choice but to stop the tuk tuk and let the passengers drink chai and eat poppa-doppa-dums. It's a bumpy, jam-packed ride and lots of fun, especially with a Diwali party at the end. At times, the book seems to be trying to include too many cultural tropes but the charming illustrations in watercolor and crayon render the urban Indian setting in simple, authentic detail. The expressive faces of the tuk tuk riders show just how thrilling and precarious the ride can be. Hop on!(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2015, American Library Association.)