Reviewed by Emily-Jane Hills Orford for Readers' Favorite

Max thinks he’s too old to play with the younger children. Gloria, the once bright red London bus, now painted with vividly colored pictures to attract children, provides a fun, safe place for children to play during the holidays. Gloria is a Playbus. But Max thinks it’s only for little children. He’s angry that his mother wants him to play on the Playbus. At first he kicks the soccer ball against Gloria. Then he splatters paint all over the inside of the bus and pulls out the costumes from the chest. In spite of himself, though, and in spite of his anger, Max starts to have fun with the other children. Gloria the Playbus has worked her magic on this angry little boy.

Sue Wickstead has woven a charming tale around a converted London city bus. Gloria the Summer Fun Bus tells her story of providing fun times for children during their holidays. It’s a clever idea, one that re-purposes old buses for a positive use. The story begins with Gloria’s re-creation, but the plot really starts developing when Max enters the story along with his festering anger. The young reader will enjoy the journey Max takes to discover all that Gloria has to offer: crafts, dress-up, and so much more. While the key to this story (based on a real Playbus) is safe fun for everyone, it opens young minds to creative possibilities and how one’s imagination can be nurtured in such an environment as the Playbus. What a wonderful idea and what a great story! Love the pictures!