Overview and Outcomes:

This is a three-week Writing Root for Naughty Bus by Jan Oke. As well creating their own story, the children will have the opportunity to write two simple pieces of information writing, one based on buses and another on toys. Initially, the children will share information about buses and try and to find out what they already know about buses to create a shared simple piece of information writing. After this, there will be some drama where the classroom is messed up or someone has drawn on something! The teacher will read part of Naughty Bus and the children will start to look for evidence to prove it is indeed Naughty Bus who has caused the chaos. After reading all of the book, the children will use Naughty Bus to innovate upon, inventing the sequel for his adventures. This will be based on the local area and will involve children captioning photos of the bus up to no good in other settings. To structure this, the children will use storyboards which they will have had modelled for them. Finally, the children will look at toys and bring their own in. They will have the opportunity to sort and categorise the toys and then create a piece of shared information writing as well as their own, before writing their own naughty toy adventure.

Synopsis of Text:

Just when you thought one would never come along... This is a book for reading together with young children; designed to encourage conversation, visual literacy and imaginative play.

Text Rationale:

This is a fast-paced text with lively illustrations and a playful approach to font design. The text has links to toys, transport, the history of toys and provides opportunities for discussions around behavioural expectations. As the Naughty Bus is a typical London double-decker bus, links could also be made to getting to know London or any local area.

Links and themes:

Buses, travel, transport, adventures, local area, behavioural expectations, London, toys and the history of toys

Date written: July 2013, Updated: July 2025