Magic School Bus

Submitted by rthomas on Mon, 12/13/2010 - 14:46.

Magic School Bus logo

AT–A–GLANCE

What is it?

A critically acclaimed book and animated television series that helps kids learn about science

Who is it for?

Kids ages 4 – 9 who want to "Take chances! Make Mistakes! Get Messy!"

Visit the site

scholastic.com/
magicschoolbus

facebook.com/
themagicschoolbus

More Information

For book information or author/illustrator interviews:

Scholastic Trade Publicity
tradepublicity@scholastic.com

For brand information:

Allyson Barkan
abarkan@scholastic.com
(212) 389-3469

“Just as Sesame Street revolutionized the teaching of letters and numbers by making it so entertaining the children had no idea they were actually learning something, so the ‘Magic School Bus’ books make science so much fun that the information is almost incidental”
— The New York Times

Press Releases

Overview

The Magic School Bus is a best-selling Scholastic book series written by Joanna Cole and illustrated by Bruce Degen, with more than 90 million books in print. The Magic School Bus series has been recognized with some of the most prestigious children’s awards including NEA Foundation Award for Outstanding Service to Public Education, a Parent’s Choice Award, and been named both School Library Journal and Parents’ Magazine Best Books of the Year among others. As the franchise celebrates its 30th year, an all-new Netflix animated series, The Magic School Bus: Rides Again, is in production. The original Magic School Bus animated television series has been broadcast in more than 100 countries and has won numerous awards, including two Emmy’s for Lily Tomlin’s portrayal as Ms. Frizzle, six CINE Golden Eagles, a Parent’s Choice Gold Medal, a National Conservation Achievement Award, an Environmental Media Association Award and an Annenberg Public Policy Center Award.

Books

The most recently published title is The Magic School Bus and the Climate Challenge (2010)
90 million books in print
Numerous awards including the 2004 NEA Foundation Award for Outstanding Service to Public Education and selected by the National Parenting Publications Awards as one of the 100 Best Children's Books of the 20th Century

Television

Available for streaming in classrooms from Discovery Education and in homes on Netflix.

Interactive

In 2013, The Magic School Bus: Dinosaurs was released for LeapFrog Explorer joining the Magic School Bus: Oceans and numerous other gaming and video content available on best-selling gaming platforms.
Two apps are available for iOS: The Magic School Bus Dinosaurs and The Magic School Bus: Oceans

Website

www.scholastic.com/magicschoolbus — offers activities and resources for teachers, parents and children.

Awards

Books

The Magic School Bus series has been recognized with some of the most prestigious children’s awards including:

NEA Foundation Award for Outstanding Service to Public Education
Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Award Parent's Choice Award
An American Booksellers Association Choice
IRA/CBC Children's Choice
School Library Journal Best Books of the Year
NCTE Notable Children's Book in the Language Arts
IRA Teachers' Choice
A Horn Book Fanfare
Parent's Magazine Best Books of the Year
Reading Rainbow Selection

TELEVISION

Daytime Emmy Award
Annenberg Public Policy Center Award for Outstanding Educational Program on a Commercial Broadcast Station
Six CINE Golden Eagles
American Women in Radio and Television's Annual Gracie Allen Award
National Wildlife Federation’s National Conservation Achievement Award for Education
Environmental Media Association Award for Children's Animated TV Program
National Education Association Award for Advancement of Learning Through Television
National Educational Media Network Gold Apple
Parents' Choice Gold Medal for Excellence in Children's Programming
Parents' Choice National Television Hall of Fame Classic Award

VIDEO

Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Award
Kids First! Finalist
Two Parents' Choice Video Awards
Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Platinum Award
NAPPA Honors

INTERACTIVE

Editor’s Choice Award Children’s Technology Review
Learning Magazine Teacher's Choice Award
Discovery School's Award of Excellence
Best Picks Award / Choosing Children's Software Magazine
Family PC Recommended Seal
Annual Education Software Review Award (EDDIES)
NAPPA Gold Award
Kids First Endorsement
Codie for Best Elementary Education Program
Rommie Award
Parents' Seal of Approval from the National Parenting Center
Oppenheim Toy Portfolio’s Platinum Award for Children's Software
ALSC's Notable Computer Software for Children

Website

Interactive Media "Best in Class" Award for Magic School Bus Website

Traveling Magic School Bus

The traveling Magic School Bus is designed inside and out with fun and colorful Magic School Bus artwork and available to rent. Ms. Frizzle, Liz, and the rest of the gang appear throughout the Bus to give kids fun facts about the exhibits they are seeing.

The Bus is loaded with engaging, hands-on exhibits including:

An off-line version of The Magic School Bus website
The Magic School Bus-themed Leapfrog LeapPad™ activities
An interactive game that lets kids get an inside look at the human body.
Highly visual, detailed exhibits about curious-kid favorite topics such as ocean life, the weather, the solar system, rocks, volcanoes, insects and the human body.