I have long dreamed of renovating a school bus into a camper, and I’ve seen them on the road and for sale, but never before this book have I seen such a comprehensive guide to making that dream a reality. From the beautiful photos of what a school bus can become, to the nitty gritty of how to gut, rewire, and retool a school bus into a lovely living space, this book is an indispensable guide to the portion of the population that has just been dying to get on the open road in a skoolie. We may be a niche market, but we were waiting for this book. Includes chapters such as “Insulation and flooring,” “Interior framing and finishing,” “Skoolie kitchens,” and “Off Grid Power,” to get you through your school bus reno from start to finish. I am so thrilled this book exists.

As a young girl, my life long dream was to convert a school bus to a motorhome and travel the country. When I saw this book, I knew I had to have it! Its a fun and helpful book with great tips, ideas, and plans to create your own touring vehicle!

This book contains lots of information on how to turn a school bus into a home. There's also plenty of photos to show what you can actually accomplish.

Lots of information in this book on how to transform a school bus into your home with the possibility of living mortgage free. Tons of pictures that will guide you through all the process. Including help on how to choose and acquire your bus. A must for people following the tiny house movement.

Skoolie! is part gallery and tutorial guide and part philosophy/encouragement for how to turn a de-commissioned schoolbus into a tiny-home or RV.

Released 15th Oct 2019 by Storey, it's 208 pages and available in hardcover and ebook formats.

This is a really comprehensive book. The author covers the entire process in a logical/chronological manner from sourcing a bus, potentially expensive/difficult problems to avoid, demolition, planning, rebuilding and more. This would be a super resource for anyone interested in a more nomadic/pared down lifestyle and the RV life, not just school bus folks. Quite a lot of the info on wiring, refinishing, rebuilding and planning is also pertinent for camper/RV folks.

The photography is superlative. The author acquired a schoolbus to document the process for this book and the refinishing chapters show the process very clearly. Additionally the book is full of beautiful photographs of skoolies in natural surroundings photographed all over the US and Canada. There are numerous links provided as well as an index and a full itemized budget for the school-bus conversion detailed in the book.

In addition to the 'book bus' conversion, there are profiles for several other buses and their owners, showing some of their interior and exterior designs and modifications.

All in all this is a resource-rich practical and useful book for anyone considering a bus conversion now or in future. I don't even have a bus (or RV) yet and I really enjoyed reading and looking (and dreaming).

Five stars!

As my husband and I are currently converting a retired school bus into a Skoolie (look us up on Instagram - www.instagram.com/thesouthernskoolie ) I was so excited to get my hands on an early copy of this book. (Thanks to the author and the publisher!) I thought this was a fantastic resource and found it very helpful. The author takes readers through each step of the conversion process, but doesn't get so bogged down in the nuts and bolts that you lose interest. The stunning photographs were great - I got lots of inspiration for our own build!

For a total beginner, this book is incredible! I learned so much and I cannot wait to purchase this for myself to read ti again! I recommend this for everyone interested in skoolies!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this book in exchange for an honest review. I loved it so much, the pictures are beautiful and the writing is very informative without being boring. After reading it I felt as if I could buy a bus and turn it into an RV that day!

I just learned about Skoolies several months ago, and I've been fascinated ever since! I follow several skoolies on social media, and I'm so intrigued by their layouts, equipment and specs. If you're considering building out a skoolie, I highly recommend this book. It's full of advice, instructions, and wisdom, not to mention the gorgeous photo layouts! Beginning with finding and purchasing your school bus.... leading through insulation, construction, solar panels, and plumbing.... and ending with adding your own personal touches on your skoolie... This book is chock full of great information!

I was given an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion. Thanks to #NetGalley, the author and publisher for this opportunity! #Skoolie

I love this book. We have a travel trailer but camped with a couple that had converted a short bus and a pop-up camper into a Jeff Gordon blue flamed racing skoolie with pullable enclosed trailer. A Skoolie has character that no motor home can come close to but not everyone is cut out to own a skoolie. Our motor home came to us with a floor plan in place which made it easier for us to plan how to store what we wanted to in our “second” home. The pictures in this book show great details and the author does give other sources of info for making your own skoolie. I was happy to find out there is a supportive skoolie community out there. I think anyone who is interested in RV camping would also find this book interesting as there are great ideas for possible modifications in a RV. I’m a little envious of the idea of a more nomadic life. Thank you.

What a great resource! The author takes the reader through the whole process of turning a retired school bus into a rolling home, from where and how to buy a bus to finishing touches and everything in between. The author bought a bus and documented the process of transforming it. We are also treated to photographic tours of other skoolies and short interviews with the owners scattered throughout the book. I appreciated the discussion of things to consider before committing to this project and the choices that need to be made along the way to build your mobile dream home. The various options for heating, cooling, plumbing, power and more are discussed. Covering a bus isn't a small project, but one perfect for someone looking to put more time than money into a home and being able to personalize everything to suit their own needs. With the rise in interest in tiny homes, this book has perfect timing.

Thank you to Storey Publishing and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.

Loved the book. Incredibly out of the box idea for a home living situation but it would work for some people. Would it work for me? Probably not but I think this book would resonate with a lot of young people out there. It’s an exciting, energetic, budget friendly idea and the book is great for giving examples and step by step guides. I loved the pictures too. Very creative. It’s a niche type of book but it works. Maybe not for everyone, but for someone. 5/5 stars.

I loved this book. It has great pictures. I'm so excited about it. I ride with a group of retired old motorcyclists and we often trailer our bikes to different locations and spend a week riding our bikes there. There are 4 couples in our group and I can just see us getting a bus, modifying it so that we can get places without all the motel time, and just happily riding off into the sunset. The photos start with the bus, then show taking it down to bare basics, and then building it up to whatever you want it to be. It's full of ideas!! Can't wait until this book goes public so I can share it with my friends!!!

I bet this book would had been awesome to read.
Sadly my kindle wouldn't load it.
Still thumbs up.

Shows how to convert a bus into a living vehicle, but depending on the vehicle some things could likely be applied to them. Goes from start to finish of building - from picking/buying and inspecting a bus to building the different living spaces. Photos throughout on how the bus was transform, so you don't just get a written explanation. Has different things to consider and his budget of what was spent to buy and convert the bus. Nice for those who would like to do the same.

This is a detailed and upbeat guide to school bus conversions. While the conversions are based on the iconic American yellow school bus, the specifications are applicable to smaller van conversions, or even canal boats. The book contains everything you need to know about how to modify a vehicle for permanent or holiday living, and is beautifully photographed.
With alternative lifestyles becoming more common due to worldwide economic recession, and the younger generation being unable to afford housing, this is a viable instruction manual on how to convert a mobile living space.

This book is a must have for anyone considering converting a school bus into a camper. I was very excited to see this book. My husband and I are considering converting a school bus. It has step-by-step instructions, and it has detailed photos of every step. There are several different plans that you can choose from. The writer converted a school bus, and he lists all the tools and supplies that he needed. He has a complete list with prices and a grand total of the conversion. The book also details options available, and what the author recommends. I especially like the power supply options listing pros and cons. It's very comprehensive, and it starts with buying the bus. What type of school buses and the motors it comes with.

The book is an excellent resource for those looking to convert a bus into a home. I like how it covered all three sizes of bus, and do wish it had a section for converting vans (but understand why it doesn't). It has several color photographs of the conversion, and covers all of the steps....including the fun and not-so-fun parts. It keeps it real, too...describing what it takes to demolition before starting to rebuild and encouraging folks to know what they're getting into. The author bought a bus specifically for the purposes of writing this book, and walks us all the way through the process...from buying your bus to the end result. Great for any DIYers who want to do this project!