Public transport books for kids

Children's books often depict public transport as a novelty, emphasising the excitement of taking a bus, train or tram.

While this may make for an enjoyable story, public transport is an essential aspect of daily life, and it's important to communicate to children that using public transport is a practical and sustainable way of getting around.

By starting kids young in this thinking, we can encourage a shift away from car dependence and promote alternative modes of transport. By highlighting the benefits of public transport and making it a normal part of everyday life, we can create a culture of sustainable transport and inspire the next generation to make greener choices.

Our City of Marion Library staff has pulled together a list of books that we currently have available for our community to access through our libraries which feature public transport as part of daily life.

• Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing (Fudge Series), by Judy Blume
• Bus Stops, by Taro Gomi
• We Move Together, by Kelly Fritsch
• Keeping the City Going, by Brian Floca
• Milo Imagines the World, by Matt de la Peña
• This Way, Watson!: A Map and Directions Primer, by Claudia Pearson
• Nanette's Baguette, by Mo Willems
• Cycle City, by Alison Farrell
• Bicycle Bash, by Alison Farrell
• The Red Bicycle: The Extraordinary Story of One Ordinary Bicycle, by Jude Isabella
• A Sick Day for Amos McGee, by Philip C. Stead
• Last Stop on Market Street, by Christian Robinson
• Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!, by Mo Willems
• Bye, Car, by Naomi Danis
• Saturday, by Oge Mora
• I Am the Subway, by Kim Hyo-eun
• Julián Is a Mermaid (Julián, #1), by Jessica Love
• Knuffle Bunny Free: An Unexpected Diversion (Knuffle Bunny, #3), by Mo Willems
• The Sour Grape, by Jory John
• Small in the City, by Sydney Smith
• Little Cat and the Big Red Bus, by Jane Godwin

Learn more about these books and browse our entire collection (suggested keywords: 'Public Transport') through our Online Library here, or visit us at any of our local library facilities, here.

This article was inspired by Laura Aston, Senior Planner at Arup's, "Sustainable mobility for kids" article, posted on LinkedIn on 31 January 2023.