This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Free Book Program, which is open to all readers and is completely free. The author will provide you with a free copy of their book in exchange for an honest review. You and the author will discuss what sites you will post your review to and what kind of copy of the book you would like to receive (eBook, PDF, Word, paperback, etc.). To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email.
This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Review Exchange Program, which is open to all authors and is completely free. Simply put, you agree to provide an honest review an author's book in exchange for the author doing the same for you. What sites your reviews are posted on (B&N, Amazon, etc.) and whether you send digital (eBook, PDF, Word, etc.) or hard copies of your books to each other for review is up to you. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email, and be sure to describe your book or include a link to your Readers' Favorite review page or Amazon page.
This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Donation Program, which was created to help nonprofit and charitable organizations (schools, libraries, convalescent homes, soldier donation programs, etc.) by providing them with free books and to help authors garner more exposure for their work. This author is willing to donate free copies of their book in exchange for reviews (if circumstances allow) and the knowledge that their book is being read and enjoyed. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email. Be sure to tell the author who you are, what organization you are with, how many books you need, how they will be used, and the number of reviews, if any, you would be able to provide.
Reviewed by Karen Tolentino for Readers' Favorite
The Kindness Bus by Barbara Ann Elder is about a girl named Jess. The story follows Jess, who doesn't love everything about school—homework, for one, she could do without. But every morning, she's first in line for Bus 252, and it's easy to see why. Jeff, the driver, shows up each day like he's picking up kids to head to a party. Tall, a bit goofy, glasses slipping down his nose, and always singing. A rather simple and routine bus ride turns into a making-friends zone for everyone. The quiet kids stop being quiet. The two sisters who act too cool to care are dancing in their seats and enjoying every bit of the ride. Even Aiden, who boards looking like he lost a fight with his own hair, finds his crowd. The book shares the magic of a rather simple act that changes the vibe of every single child.
Barbara Ann Elder writes The Kindness Bus the way you'd talk to a child — directly, with humour, and without talking down. The story never announces its message; it just lets you feel it. Jeff isn't a hero; he's a guy who shows up with good energy. The plot moves at a pace that holds a child's attention without rushing past the moments that matter. Each character gets just enough detail to feel real — Aiden's hidden comb, the sisters and their phones, Dominic hiding behind his hair — small touches that stick. The themes of kindness and belonging are never forced or preachy, which is harder to pull off than it sounds. Emanuela Mannello's illustrations carry the warmth from cover to cover, matching the light tone perfectly. The Kindness Bus works on both sides of the lap — for the child listening and the adult reading aloud. A small book that leaves you feeling like you got more than you came for.
