The Wheels on the Tuk Tuk

PreS-Gr 2—This adaptation of "The Wheels on the Bus" is set in a city in India aboard a tuk tuk, an auto rickshaw used by many for public transportation. The tuk tuk wala, or driver, travels throughout the city picking up more and more passengers as they travel to a Diwali celebration. Along the way, they encounter a cow blocking the street, a chanting yogi, an elephant decorated in paint, and some local fare, including papadoms and chai. The illustrations are vibrant with pastels and bright watercolors and the amalgam of people, animals, foods, and buildings blend together effectively to transport readers to a location with which many children will not be familiar. Every detail in the illustrations feels deliberate and organic to the locale. An author's note is included that shares a brief narrative from the events that inspired this adaptation, as well as a definition of some of the terms used in the story.