Jay-Jay and the Carnival

Sue Wickstead Press Reviews

Reviewed by Emily-Jane Hills Orford for Readers' Favorite

Jay-Jay is a very special bus. He's not a school bus or a city bus. He's a playbus. All summer long, Jay-Jay visits different parts of the community so that the children can enjoy playing on him, in him, and around him. The end of summer is marked by a special carnival and a parade. Jay-Jay is the key attraction. But on his way to this year's carnival parade, Jay-Jay has some engine problems and his driver has to pull off the road when he stalls. Will Jay-Jay make it to the parade on time? And who is this smartly dressed man who stops to help?

Teacher and author, Sue Wickstead has written several books on the Jay-Jay theme. Her stories are based on the real playbus, Bewbush Playbus, which is a regular feature in the annual Crawley carnival parade. Families work together to create a special bus to demonstrate the annual theme. In her picture book story, Jay-Jay and the Carnival, Jay-Jay is decorated and painted to feature the theme of flight.

Supersonic

was painted on Jay-Jay's side, along with an airplane to make the playbus truly fit into the theme.

This is a beautiful, fun little story with exciting and colorful illustrations. The fact that the story is based on a real playbus makes it all the more interesting. The story promotes the idea of play - real play, imaginary play - something sadly missing in today's world. Children are encouraged to play on the playbus, to use their imaginations, and to create something truly fantastic. A simple story, packed with good, positive vibes.

Goodreads

Jennifer rated it it was amazing

We finally managed to make time to sit down and read the last book in the series of Jay-Jay. My daughter (8) and I have been meaning to do this for a couple of weeks.

We both expressed that this book is certainly the best one of the series, the colourful illustrations alone really brings it to life. We enjoyed the story and it was easy to read. We enjoyed that we got introduced to the driver of the bus in this book as it wasn't presented in the previous two. It keeps the story refreshed and more character.

I would like to see more of whats inside the bus in the future.

It is also great for those who pick it up and haven't read the others because you could read it as a stand alone book.

I am giving this book 5 stars as its a feel good book that we love as its based on a real life bus. I wish we could actually go and visit the bus as it looks like it was so much fun.

goodreads

Can you imagine a special brightly colored bus joining in the fun at a parade? The children enjoy many summer activities and especially spending time on the bus with all the toys. One day, Alex the bus driver experiences a bit of a crisis and it is at this point that the reader wonders who will come to the rescue? With children wearing bright colored costumes, anxiously awaiting the arrival of Jay-Jay, will they be disappointed? Most importantly of all, who will be the best looking float at the exciting fun-loving carnival? We all love Jay-Jay. This is a delightful story!