Question about Magic School Bus and other kid's series

[ficbot]

I am wondering what people's thoughts are on what kids find specifically appealing about Magic School bus and other such series. I am a K-6 French teacher and I write my own picture books to use with my students, but some of the older ones have been clamoring for a book of their own. I am intrigued with this idea and want to write something very fabulous. It will be similar in the sense that it is about kids and will have a main character who is a teacher, but it will be about French, not science, and will teach kids French words. My initial idea was to include the puppets I use when I teach. Perhaps the teacher has a way to bring the puppets alive somehow.

I know I can nail the 'voice' aspect of that age because I teach those kids, and I am not worried about the plot aspects. I do want to work the French into the story in an organic way so that the kids don't notice it. Not sure how to do it. I guess I would feel more confident if I could better understand what exactly it is that makes the Magic School Bus series and others like it so popular with kids...

[dadioflex]

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