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In which we recount tales of triumph and woe on the byways of Kansas.

In which we recount tales of triumph and woe on the byways of Kansas. ...

23 1
The Daily Minute: 3.29.23
In which we get up close and personal with a pack of peckish lorikeets. 

#busloadofbooks

The Daily Minute: 3.29.23
In which we get up close and personal with a pack of peckish lorikeets.

#busloadofbooks
...

17 1
The Daily Minute: 3.28.23
In which Olive Elementary’s librarian Barbara Smythe is also a volunteer firefighter (as is her husband Tim!). 

#busloadofbooks

The Daily Minute: 3.28.23
In which Olive Elementary’s librarian Barbara Smythe is also a volunteer firefighter (as is her husband Tim!).

#busloadofbooks
...

25 3
Hallo all. It's Isabel 🙂 We’ve jaunted across more than 40 states, believe it or not! Today, we saunter over to one at the heart of the Great Plains. Its official languages are English, Choctaw, and Cherokee. Its state instrument is the drum, its state mammal the bison.

Today, friends, we're in Oklahoma.

OK has an official state meal too: fried okra, squash, cornbread, barbecue pork, biscuits, sausage and gravy, grits, corn, strawberries, chicken-fried steak, pecan pie, and black-eyed peas… Sounds scrumptious!!

While people have lived in this area since the last ice age (!) much of its population arrived as a result of the Trail of Tears, when, during the early 1800s, Native American tribes across the eastern US were forced to relocate to what was then-called “Indian Territory," joining the tribes who lived there already.

Oklahoma became a state in 1907 — the 46th! Just a couple decades later, OK was severely affected by the Dust Bowl, when it didn’t rain enough for several seasons, and dust and wind gusted through. Times were hard, but the people of OK are resilient. 

Today, the state flag is one of only two to include distinct Native American images. On it, a bison-skin shield overlaid with symbols of peace sits against the background of a blue sky. 

It's not hard to understand why the bison was chosen to be OK's state animal. It's the biggest land animal native to North America, and it is impressive. They can grow almost 7 feet tall, weigh 2800 pounds, and jump 6 feet in the air. 

You might also run into pronghorn antelopes, bumpy, balled-up armadillos, road runners, or wily coyotes on the road here.

If indoor exploration’s more your thing, visit the American Banjo museum in Oklahoma City. Oh! And also, of course, let us not forget, the American Pigeon Museum. 

If you stop at the store on the way, you’ll probably use an OK invention — the shopping cart! 

And finally, as you drive, you might pass one more OK invention: the yield sign! And when you pay and park? That's an OK gizmo, too. The first parking meter ever was installed in Oklahoma City in 1935. It was called the Park-O-Meter No. 1 and was installed, appropriately, on First Street🚌

Hallo all. It's Isabel 🙂 We’ve jaunted across more than 40 states, believe it or not! Today, we saunter over to one at the heart of the Great Plains. Its official languages are English, Choctaw, and Cherokee. Its state instrument is the drum, its state mammal the bison.

Today, friends, we're in Oklahoma.

OK has an official state meal too: fried okra, squash, cornbread, barbecue pork, biscuits, sausage and gravy, grits, corn, strawberries, chicken-fried steak, pecan pie, and black-eyed peas… Sounds scrumptious!!

While people have lived in this area since the last ice age (!) much of its population arrived as a result of the Trail of Tears, when, during the early 1800s, Native American tribes across the eastern US were forced to relocate to what was then-called “Indian Territory," joining the tribes who lived there already.

Oklahoma became a state in 1907 — the 46th! Just a couple decades later, OK was severely affected by the Dust Bowl, when it didn’t rain enough for several seasons, and dust and wind gusted through. Times were hard, but the people of OK are resilient. 

Today, the state flag is one of only two to include distinct Native American images. On it, a bison-skin shield overlaid with symbols of peace sits against the background of a blue sky. 

It's not hard to understand why the bison was chosen to be OK's state animal. It's the biggest land animal native to North America, and it is impressive. They can grow almost 7 feet tall, weigh 2800 pounds, and jump 6 feet in the air.

You might also run into pronghorn antelopes, bumpy, balled-up armadillos, road runners, or wily coyotes on the road here.

If indoor exploration’s more your thing, visit the American Banjo museum in Oklahoma City. Oh! And also, of course, let us not forget, the American Pigeon Museum. 

If you stop at the store on the way, you’ll probably use an OK invention — the shopping cart!

And finally, as you drive, you might pass one more OK invention: the yield sign! And when you pay and park? That's an OK gizmo, too. The first parking meter ever was installed in Oklahoma City in 1935. It was called the Park-O-Meter No. 1 and was installed, appropriately, on First Street🚌
...

48 4
The Daily Minute: 3.17.23
In which we share the playful wonder of Tulsa’s Gathering Place. 

#busloadofbooks

The Daily Minute: 3.17.23
In which we share the playful wonder of Tulsa’s Gathering Place.

#busloadofbooks
...

36 3
HELLO, KANSAS CITY FRIENDS

In a few short days, the bus will be rolling into my old stomping grounds. Since I can’t possibly visit all the people I’d like to catch up with, I will be bringing the bus to Mission Trail Elementary School from 2-4pm on Sunday, April 2.

That's: 
13200 Mission Road
Leawood, KS 66209

As added incentive, Kansas City humorist, playwright, and the funniest person Robbi’s dad has ever met—I’m talking about Victor Wishna, of course—will be in attendance. 

Come see the bus! Meet my kids and Robbi! Remember how funny Victor is! 

Alas, I will not have any books to sell but will be happy to sign any you might bring. You can find them at local bookstores, B&N, or Amazon. (You can find our Amazon author page in our profile link). 

It would be so nice to see you all! 

#busloadofbooks
www.busloadofbooks.com

HELLO, KANSAS CITY FRIENDS

In a few short days, the bus will be rolling into my old stomping grounds. Since I can’t possibly visit all the people I’d like to catch up with, I will be bringing the bus to Mission Trail Elementary School from 2-4pm on Sunday, April 2.

That's:
13200 Mission Road
Leawood, KS 66209

As added incentive, Kansas City humorist, playwright, and the funniest person Robbi’s dad has ever met—I’m talking about Victor Wishna, of course—will be in attendance.

Come see the bus! Meet my kids and Robbi! Remember how funny Victor is!

Alas, I will not have any books to sell but will be happy to sign any you might bring. You can find them at local bookstores, B&N, or Amazon. (You can find our Amazon author page in our profile link).

It would be so nice to see you all!

#busloadofbooks
www.busloadofbooks.com
...

46 1
The Daily Minute: 3.26.23
In which the waterfall where the red fern grows surprises us by being in Oklahoma. 

#busloadofbooks

The Daily Minute: 3.26.23
In which the waterfall where the red fern grows surprises us by being in Oklahoma.

#busloadofbooks
...

40 1
The Daily Minute: 3.25.23
In which Matthew’s Rothko disgruntlement has mellowed with age. 

#busloadofbooks

The Daily Minute: 3.25.23
In which Matthew’s Rothko disgruntlement has mellowed with age.

#busloadofbooks
...

31 3
The Daily Minute: 3.24.23
In which we each have our own way of dealing with the ghost in the hallway. 

#busloadofbooks

The Daily Minute: 3.24.23
In which we each have our own way of dealing with the ghost in the hallway.

#busloadofbooks
...

54 4
The Daily Minute: 3.23.23
In which we meet the hardest-working bunny in Eureka Springs. 

#busloadofbooks

The Daily Minute: 3.23.23
In which we meet the hardest-working bunny in Eureka Springs.

#busloadofbooks
...

60 6
The Daily Minute: 3.22.23
In which we introduce you to a family of tigers who were lucky enough to find a home at Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge. 

#busloadofbooks

The Daily Minute: 3.22.23
In which we introduce you to a family of tigers who were lucky enough to find a home at Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge.

#busloadofbooks
...

39 2

The Busload of Books Tour is a yearlong project to promote literacy and raise awareness of the challenges facing our nation’s public schools.

Author/illustrator duo Matthew Swanson and Robbi Behr (that’s us) and our four kids are spending the 2022-2023 school year traveling the country in a school bus/tiny home, visiting Title I schools in all 50 states (plus DC), and giving away 25,000 hardcover books to students and teachers from underserved communities.

Along the way, we’ll be conducting a major research project, making a picture book about America, and inviting our followers to join us on a yearlong exploration of our country’s unsung wonders and off-the-beaten-path communities.

As we travel, we will be blogging, vlogging, and posting daily to social media. All content will be appropriate for elementary-aged students who want to join us for the ultimate road trip.

Whoever you are, take your seat on the bus!

Our adventure is your adventure. Our country is your country, too. Follow along with us!