The Struggle Bus - by Julie Koon (Hardcover)

About the Book

"A must-have picture book for any reader struggling with new experiences and managing emotions"--

Book Synopsis

Sometimes things are really tough. It's just too hard. You've had enough. Grumble, rumble, bump and roar, The Struggle Bus is at your door!
You can cry, or you can shout, kick and scream or have a pout. Feel your feelings for a bit. Just keep moving--don't you quit!

This is a must-have picture book for any reader struggling with new experiences and figuring out how to manage emotions.
Debut author-illustrator Julie Koon delivers a lighthearted and relatable picture book about facing challenges as you grow up. Incorporating her experience as an elementary school counselor, Koon uses the accessible theme of vehicles to make this social-emotional concept perfect for the preschool and early elementary crowd. It's also a great tool for caregivers to start conversations with children about acknowledging difficult feelings.

The Struggle Bus's lyrical, rhyming text adds a comforting touch to the book, while not downplaying the reality that sometimes life is really hard. From a growth mindset perspective, the story gives the main character space to feel those hard feelings, but also to be open-minded to lots of different solutions. With a concluding reminder that we can do hard things, The Struggle Bus offers a lot: self-discovery, tips for problem-solving, and, mostly importantly, an acknowledgement that we all struggle sometimes, but we shouldn't get stuck on that bus.

From the Back Cover

Grumble, rumble, bump, and roar, The Struggle Bus is at your door!

Sometimes things are really tough. It's just too hard. You've had enough.
You can cry, or you can shout, kick and scream or have a pout.
Feel your feelings for a bit. Just keep moving--don't you quit!

This is a must-have picture book for any reader struggling with new experiences and managing emotions. Elementary school counselor Julie Koon takes this popular meme and turns it into a relatable scenario to help kids acknowledge difficult feelings and face fears. Great for schools, parents, and caregivers too!

Review Quotes

Delightful illustrations accompany the rhyming text in this children's book about dealing with negative feelings like anger and frustration. At the end of the book is a list of ideas to help children calm themselves when they're feeling angry or have a hard time dealing with their feelings. There's also a little section about how struggling can benefit developing brains, explaining that children learn the most when they make mistakes, thus normalizing failure as part of the learning process.

Written by a school counselor, The Struggle Bus would be a good read aloud for storytime at the library or in the classroom as the repetitive "Grumble, rumble, bump, and bop" invites the listener to participate in the story. I would also recommend it to parents of young children who want to help their children develop their social emotional learning skills.

--Monica B., Librarian "NetGalley"

This sweet story about "riding the struggle bus" has beautiful illustrations that really illuminate those tough feelings that are hard for young children to identify. The idea of taking a bumpy path, feeling the need to cry or yell, feeling frustrated, and then finding your way is one that will surely resonate with all ages.

The end of the book includes a message about persevering, how hard things make your brain grow, and ways you can get support from friends or loved ones. This would be a wonderful addition to any library, counselor's office, or teacher's classroom. I highly recommend this book!

--Carolyn C., Librarian "NetGalley"

The Struggle Bus is perhaps the best SEL text I have read this year. Now when I explain to my students that their feelings, experiences, and emotions are human experiences that happen to everyone, I will have a super awesome picture book to go with it. I love everything about this text, from illustrations from which students can infer feelings and moods to the message of reaching out and being ok with getting support from friends, family, and teachers. Hard things make our brains grow!

--Kids Read "NetGalley"

About the Author

Julie Koon is an author-illustrator of books for children. She is also an elementary school counselor, where she helps kids learn how to navigate their feelings and the big wide world. She lives in Decatur, Georgia, with her husband and three children. Julie has taken many rides on the Struggle Bus in making this book, and is excited to share it with the world.