The bestselling science series ever is now available on audio!
Format: Paperback book & CD
Narrator: Cassandra Morris, Polly Adams, and a cast of children.
When Ms. Frizzle drives the Magic School Bus full speed ahead into the ocean, the class takes a submarine expedition that's anything but ordinary. With a well-meaning lifeguard in tow, the class takes a deep breath and learns about hot water vents, coral reefs, plant and animal life on the ocean floor, and more!
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"In the beginning of the book Mrs. Frizzle's class is working on ocean science projects. Some of the topics include: sea urchins, hermit crabs, and the deep sea. Ms. Frizzle decides to take her class on a trip to the beach to study the ocean. When the class pulls up to the beach in their school bus,the school bus turns into a submarine and they go into the ocean. As the book continues, the students learn about many different types of animals that live in the ocean, the ocean itself, and coral reefs. After the students are done learning, they end up on the beach again because their bus turned into a surfboard and they wash up on the shore. The next day, the students all made a chart about the ocean on the classroom bulletin board. The illustrations in the book take up the whole page. The text was in big letters usually near the top of the page and it helped to tell the story and had information about the ocean. There were also bubbles above some of the characters that showed their conversations. What I found most useful in helping students learn about the ocean was all of the yellow pieces of paper on the sides of the pages. They looked like the students’ reports about different information relating to the ocean. These had a lot of facts and were very informative and helpful. A lot of the animals and parts of the ocean had labels on them. I think this is a great book to use to help students learn about the ocean. I would recommend this book for second through fourth grade and accompany it with a lesson on the ocean and maybe a field trip to an aquatic center."
— Megan (5 out of 5 stars)
“[A] fanciful yet scientifically accurate romp…Experience the wet wonders of potentially dry textbook subjects: where sand comes from, why oceans are salty, how fish breathe, the ‘not-fish’ sea animals, underwater food chains, life in hot water vents and coral reefs.”
— Publishers Weekly“This is another first-class entry in a stellar series that makes science fascinating and fun. We eagerly await more trips on Ms. Frizzle’s extraordinary bus.”
— Booklist“The vibrant text is well researched and accurate; it is presented with such humor and lightness that everyone will wish for a seat on that magic bus. A great way to escape a hot, stuffy school, and to embark on a cool adventure.”
— School Library Journal“Ms. Frizzle’s class embarks on a marvelous undersea adventure, where they swim with the fishes and observe various marine plants and animals, explore the deep ocean floor, see the formation of an island coral reef, witness life in a tidal pool, and much more. This entertaining and educational underwater bus ride introduces learners to the ocean’s creatures, levels, and geological formations.”
— Children’s Literature“As always, the pace is breathless, the facts well chosen, the excitement of scientific study neatly evoked, and Ms. Frizzle’s wardrobe equal to every extraordinary occasion.”
— Kirkus Reviews" This book is okay. I like the scientific information in it, but I think the story line is terrible. The concept of the book was a good idea, but I think they are running out of creativity on the story line. "
— Alicia, 2/16/2014" This book teaches us all about the ocean while exploring with Ms. Frizzle's class. Ms. Frizzle's class hops on the Magic School Bus and goes for a ride. Their first stop is at a beach. Here, the class learns about sand and about the shorelines. Next, they take the bus and go underwater in the ocean. They see all kinds of animals including fish, sea stars, jelly fish, and shell fish. The bus then stops at the coral reef. The class learns all about coral and what gives their colors. Ms. Frizzle and her class ends their day back in the classroom where it is time for the weekend! "
— Holly, 2/5/2014" This book is one of my students favorite Magic School Bus Books. We pretend to also take a pretend trip to the ocean floor to learn more about it. The students love how crazy Ms. Frizzle is, so on our pretend trip I pretend to be her! "
— Laura, 2/3/2014" i used to love the magic school bus, even though i liked the show better, i love the lizard, i think his name was mieko... but i recommend this for little kids. "
— Christa♥, 1/30/2014" This book is a great way to teach about the ocean. Why it is salty, what lives int he ocean, What makes a sea creature living? This book could be used as an introduction to a unit on the ocean. The children could reference this book each day in order to relate what they are doing to what they have learned. This is a great way foe them to use prior knowledge when doing their work. "
— Evelyn, 1/18/2014" This book is about Miss Frizzle takes her class on a field trip. They stopped at the beach and learned about the shorelines. Then the bus transforms into a submarine and they go underwater where they learned about marine life. The book accurately portrays the fish and mammals found in the sea. It is illustrated to catch the children's imaginative side. Using a fictional characteristic creates enthusiasm in the readers and gains their attention. I would use this when teaching students about the marine life found in the ocean. This is a fun and informative book to use for children. "
— Tara, 1/18/2014" This book would be perfect when learning about the ocean. Magic School Bus books are always entertaining and very informative. I loved how it gave so much information and facts about the creatures in the ocean, the different layers, and the different purposes of plants. I also liked how it had side comments that the students and teacher make that are little jokes. Everything is very relevant but it is told into a fun, thrilling adventure that the class goes on into the ocean. Mrs. Frizzle is as entertaining as always so I think it would be fun to have in the classroom! "
— Cally, 1/18/2014" I loved and still love this series. The human body and solar system are favorites. "
— Lindsey, 1/16/2014" Extremely important. "
— Jo, 1/12/2014" Mrs. Frizzle's class takes a trip down to the ocean floor, with the bus and all the kids, to learn about marine life and oceanography. "
— Elizabeth, 11/30/2013" Any Book that turns into a TV show starring Lily Tomlin is fine by me! "
— Lizzy, 11/19/2013Joanna Cole is the author Magic School Bus books, collaborating for twenty years with illustrator, Bruce Degen. Together they bring humor and true kid-like curiosity to science and learning. Booklist heralded Ms. Frizzle as “the wackiest, wisest teacher in picture books.” Two MSB titles have been named School Library Journal Best Books of the Year, and they have won countless state book awards, from New York to Nebraska.
Cassandra Morris has received critical acclaim for her voice-over work from Publishers Weekly and AudioFile magazine, earning a dozen Earphones Awards and twice been a finalist for the prestigious Audie Award for best narration. Her voice has also been heard on television in commercial campaigns and numerous Nickelodeon and Disney products. She is the voice of many cartoon characters, including Leo and Luna in Yu-Gi-Oh, Carrie in Barbie: A Fairy Secret, Nathan in Pokémon, and Lola in Angelo Rules.