DATTCO marks year of bus-anxiety children's book with 14,000 website visits

DATTCO is celebrating the first anniversary of The Big Yellow Adventure, a free children’s book designed to help first-time school bus riders feel confident before the school year starts. The company says the resource has drawn more than 14,000 website visits and more than 4,000 downloads as families use it to talk through school bus safety and first-day nerves.

Why it matters: - The first school bus ride can be a major independence milestone for young children. - DATTCO’s book gives parents, caregivers and schools a simple tool to reduce anxiety before that first ride. - The resource is free and available in English and Spanish, which broadens access for families across the company’s service area.

What happened: - DATTCO marked the one-year anniversary of The Big Yellow Adventure, a children’s book built to help young students prepare for riding the school bus for the first time. - The company says the book has become a trusted resource for parents, caregivers, schools and communities. - The anniversary comes one year after launch, with the book positioned as a support tool for children entering school transportation for the first time.

The details: - The book uses a warm, age-appropriate story to explain what children can expect on a school bus. - The story helps young riders manage first-day nerves, learn basic safety expectations and see the bus as part of a normal daily routine. - DATTCO says the book’s website has been visited by more than 14,000 people. - DATTCO says the book and related resources have been downloaded more than 4,000 times. - The book was developed with behavioral health professionals from OPTIMUS Healthcare, who reviewed the content for age-appropriateness and emotional impact. - Paul Mayer, DATTCO’s vice president of marketing and communications, wrote the book. - Nancy Ingenito illustrated the book. - The book is designed for parents and caregivers to read aloud. - The resource helps families talk about the bus routine, safety expectations and the emotions that come with a first bus ride. - The free digital picture book and coloring book are available at DATTCO’s Big Yellow Adventure page.

Between the lines: - DATTCO is using a transportation touchpoint to extend its role beyond moving students from home to school. - The book reflects a broader strategy of building trust with families before problems start, rather than only responding after anxiety or confusion shows up. - The strong download and traffic numbers suggest parents are looking for practical, low-friction ways to prepare children for school transportation. - The bilingual format signals an effort to reach a wider set of families in the communities DATTCO serves.

What’s next: - The book and coloring book remain available on DATTCO’s website for families preparing for future school bus rides. - DATTCO is likely to keep using the resource as part of its family outreach around school transportation and student readiness. - The company says the project reflects its ongoing commitment to safety, reliability and community engagement.

The bottom line: - DATTCO turned a school bus transition into a family-facing support tool, and one year later the numbers suggest parents want that help.