Long uses his signature illustration style, along with color spotlights, to visually and descriptively showcase the joy the title character gets from fulfilling its purpose of community support. The emotional strength of the book shines a light on the interconnectedness of people, places, and things as life morphs and changes, and so does the bus, growing older and adapting to those outside forces that drive us while staying true to our hearts and finding our joy in new circumstances and abilities. Long powerfully uses perspective shifts in his stunning illustrations - made even more impactful by including a note at the end about his inspiration for the story and process of creating this art. A beautiful story to share, especially for discussions of theme with students.

The use of the personified bus would pair well with A Home Again.