Mommy Can I Ride on The Big White Bus? Book Review
This is a book review of Mommy Can I Ride the Big White Bus? by Alyssa Romero.
Every child of a parent serving in the United States military has seen the big white bus that takes their mom or dad away for duty. It can mean the tears and sadness of a departure or the joy of a return and reunion, but either way seeing it has a huge emotional impact on the child’s life.
This beautifully illustrated children’s book shares the feelings, memories, and experiences that military children go through whenever they see that big white bus. Sometimes they are too little to understand the whys of it. Where does it go? For how long? Will there ever come a day when they can be just like dad or mom and ride the special bus to that mysterious work place where they go? One day those children may make a choice to proudly get on that bus themselves. Will a parent ever be ready to hear it?
To military kids, there’s a big white bus with special significance. When members of the military are transported via the white bus, they’re often leaving families for deployment. And for the kids who are left behind, the sight of that white bus is full of emotion. Alyssa Romero writes all about the experience in her book, Mommy Can I Ride on The Big White Bus?
This story will tug at your heartstrings whether you know the white bus or not. Every parent and child will endure separations as time marches on; some are due to happy circumstances and some to sad ones, just like the families parted by the big white bus. This story helps families feel the catharsis of reunion and growth, and suggests a hint of the future, when kids will go off on their own, too.
Noah, the protagonist of the book, watches his dad leave and return on the white bus all through his childhood. He wonders about the details of where his dad goes and what he does there. He continues to ask his mom if he can join his father. His mom answers, “Not today.” Finally, one day, Noah is grown, and tells his mom that today will be the day he leaves on the white bus and begins his own military career.
Have the tissues ready with this one! If you’re a parent, caregiver, or anyone who’s loved a child, this story will touch your heart. We work to teach the next generation to follow in our footsteps of hard work, discipline, and purpose, but it still feels bittersweet when they’re ready to take those steps on their own for the first time.
This book is a lovely gift for any military family, but it’s meaningful for any family facing a new experience or separation. No matter what parts us, families will always be reunited in love.
Where Can I Find "Mommy Can I Ride on The Big White Bus?"
You can find Mommy, Can I Ride on The Big White Bus? by Alyssa Romero on Amazon.
About the Author, Alyssa Romero
“I am a mom of three and married to a retired United States Marine. We reside in the little beach town of San Clemente, California. My two oldest children serve in the military – my daughter is in the United States Navy and my eldest son serves in the United States Marine Corps. I work with Special Needs children and work in Urgent Care. I love to spend time with my family and spending time with my husband soaking up the sun, laying on the beach and enjoying the simple life.”
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All in all, my family and I have really enjoyed this book and we know you will too! Please feel free to leave me any comments or questions about this review. I look forward to hearing from you!
* This book was kindly sent to me by Author, Alyssa Romero in exchange for an honest review.
