Gus the Bus

Heavy-duty radials make a new bus out of Gus, a normally responsible orange school bus who is careful to get the children to school on time. He rip-roars around the countryside with a dog, chases colts, races a red fire truck and taxis down the runway hoping to take off like a plane. With a ``wide, silly grin'' across his radiator, Gus heads back to the school parking lot. Even after the reason for his wild behavior is traced to too much air in his tires (which is then remedied), Gus continues to grin. The rather long, chunky pace of the text is revved up by Schneider's mad illustrations, last glimpsed in Amos: The Story of an Old Dog and His Couch. The secret life of vehicles is always of interest to children, and this story will confirm their craziest imaginings. Ages 5-8. (Mar.)