Now more than ever, children need stimulation and excitement for the growth of their bodies and minds. Since their world is all about exploration and discovery, they need authors (and teachers) that make learning fun and simple, and that are able to illustrate the world around them. Joanna Cole, who passed July 12, 2020, was one such author. Best known as the author of the Magic School Bus series, Cole was an award-winning children’s author of over 250 books.
In 1986, the Magic School Bus Series was created. Ms. Frizzle the science teacher, led her students on field trips on a magic bus. The series brought science to life with topics about the human body, the weather, the solar system, even dental hygiene. Cole’s love for science carried with her throughout her academic career which had led her to writing the series.
In 1994, the book series was adapted into an animated television show that ran on PBS for 18 years. Subsequently, the video game series was published on Microsoft in the early 90s. Fast forward, in 2017, the series was then adapted into a Netflix series titled The Magic School Bus: Rides Again.
Joanna Cole was a native of Newark, New Jersey and worked as an elementary school teacher, librarian, and magazine editor before she became a writer.
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Awesome remembering, Rachel. I still have my magic school bus books from my kids, who are now grown. Amazing that she accomplish so much in one book, making science fun and interesting, from down to earth and up to the planets. Thanks so much for this delightful article.