Touch-a-Bus Storytime Returns for Fun Interactions for Young Kids & Their Families

Posted on September 9, 2025 at 6:00 am

By Mary Ellen Braks

A Special Storytime Event

Imagine a pigeon determined to drive a bus. What could possibly go wrong? Would you let the pigeon drive the bus?

We are excited to be partnering with Spokane Transit Authority (STA) once again for STA Touch-a-Bus Storytime. This bus-filled storytime features the book Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus by Mo Willems, other bus stories, songs, fingerplays, our special guest STA bus driver, and the opportunity to ride on an STA bus. 

Young children love the pigeon from Mo Willem’s stories and adding a vehicle to the mix only adds to the excitement. They enjoy participating and making sure that the pigeon doesn’t get a chance to replace the driver. So, if your toddler or preschooler likes birds, vehicles, or silly stories, then this storytime could be their best one yet!

Program Locations, Days & Times

STA Touch-a-Bus Storytime

For ages 2–5 & their families

This program takes place during a regularly scheduled storytime.

MEDICAL LAKE
Wednesday, Sep 17, 10:30am

NORTH SPOKANE
Tuesday, Sep 23, 9:30am

CHENEY
Friday, Sep 26, 10:30am

SPOKANE VALLEY
Tuesday, Sep 30, 10:30am

AIRWAY HEIGHTS
Thursday, Oct 9, 10:30am

Storytime & Kindergarten Readiness

Our storytime staff always strive to create engaging and enjoyable storytimes at all our libraries promoting the joy of reading, and our storytimes intentionally include activities to help develop kindergarten readiness skills.

You may be wondering about which kindergarten readiness skills are built into a STA Touch-a-Bus Storytime. Here are a few skills children will be building (without even realizing it!).

Executive function skills, which are self-control skills, are high on list. These include waiting in line to get on the bus and waiting to yell out “NO!” when the pigeon asks to drive the bus. Both are great examples of children needing to regulate themselves and their emotions.

Children are drawn into the story by the narrator who is asking questions they can respond to. This brings kids into the storytelling process and works on reading comprehension—all disguised within fun. Because there are repetitive phrases throughout the story, children can tell what’s coming next and build their reading fluency and narrative skills.

Other skills that are always worked on during storytime are social-emotional skills, such as regulating emotions and behaviors (similar to executive function skills) and interacting with peers and participating constructively in group situations.

Plus telling the pigeon “NO!” encourages group participation in a low-key way because everyone else is shouting “NO!” too. Shy kids can participate as the excitement moves them. There’s no pressure to come up with an answer, and they work together in a group to answer the questions, which can sometimes build courage to participate.

Along with the pigeon’s story, we share other bus stories, sing songs, and learn a fingerplay or two. This provides other opportunities for kids to participate as fully as they want or even just watch and build their courage to participate with the group at a future storytime.

Another aspect that can be very helpful is getting the chance to ride on a bus with their trusted adult before needing to get on a bus alone to go to school. This can help alleviate fears, making it easier for children to regulate their emotions as they get a chance to ride the bus in the future.

If your child decides not to go for the short ride on the STA bus, we will have our play and learn toys out for kids to explore. And if you and your child aren’t ready to head home after the bus ride, you can return to the meeting room to play with the toys. 

Free STA Rider’s License for Youth

If you have the opportunity to take the bus in your daily routine or are planning a special trip, did you know that youth 18 and under can ride the bus for free?

Kids under the age of 6 always ride for free with STA. And kids age 6–18 can get an STA Rider’s License Connect Card that allows them to ride for free as well.

You can pick up a Rider’s License at seven of our libraries and while onboard LINC, our mobile library. Find out more in our news post: STA Zero-Fare Rider’s License Offers Free, Unlimited Bus Rides for Youth.

You can also visit the STA’s website to learn more about the STA’s Zero Fare for Youth program.

Tags: Bus, early learning, kids, learn, parents, play, STA, stories, storytime, teachers, Touch-a-Bus