LANSING, Mich. — Dean Transportation has partnered with a local independent bookstore to produce a virtual story series in an effort to help give students consistency and connection during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Dean Transportation Story Time Series premiered on Dean Transportation’s Facebook page on May 20. Bus drivers from around the state read popular children’s books, provided by Schuler Books, to students. The school bus company will post new videos on Mondays and Wednesdays for the remainder of the summer.

“COVID-19 has uprooted the schedules and daily lives of children across the state, which can cause a lot of confusion and stress for kids,” said Dean Transportation President and CEO Kellie Dean. “We created the Dean Transportation Story Time series to give students some consistency and positivity through weekly facetime with their favorite bus drivers.” 

“This story time partnership allows us to put our passions for reading and community involvement into practice,” said Samantha Hendricks, events coordinator for Schuler Books. “The pandemic has been an overwhelmingly difficult time for families everywhere, and we’re proud to partner with Dean Transportation to promote normalcy and healing through books for children throughout the state.”

Visit Dean Transportation’s Facebook page to watch videos in the series.