Enjoy this folk version excerpted from Walt Whitman’s poem, Song of Myself, where he describes the origin of all poems, all songs, and all books.

Origin of All Songs Lyrics

I celebrate myself, and sing myself,And what I assume you shall assume,For every atom belonging to me as good belongs to you.

I loaf and invite my soul,I lean and loaf at my ease observing a spear of summer grass.

My tongue, every atom of my blood, formed from this soil, this air,Born here of parents born here from parents the same, and their parents the same,I, now thirty-seven years old in perfect health begin,Hoping to cease not till death.

Creeds and schools in abeyance,Retiring back a while sufficed at what they are, but never forgotten,I harbor for good or bad, I permit to speak at every hazard,Nature without check with original energy.

Have you reckoned a thousand acres much? have you reckoned the earth much?Have you practiced so long to learn to read?Have you felt so proud to get at the meaning of poems?

Stop this day and night with me and you shall possess the origin of all poems,You shall possess the good of the earth and sun, (there are millions of suns left,)

You shall no longer take things at second or third hand, nor look through the eyes of the dead, nor feed on the spectres in books,You shall not look through my eyes either, nor take things from me,You shall listen to all sides and filter them from your self.

Stop this day and night with meand you shall possess the origin of all songs,You shall possess the good of the earth and sun.

Stop this day and night with meand you shall possess the origin of all songs,You shall possess the good of the earth and sun.

Thanks for reading 5 Things I Love About Books! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.

In this fast-paced story, Niko imagines that his emotions are like passengers getting on and off a bus all day. As he takes on his role as a bus attendant and starts to seat passengers, chaos ensues when he doesn't stop and think about who he lets drive his bus.

Kids are drawn to the fun illustrations and the humorous story that shows it’s okay to experience and feel all their emotions throughout the day. But kids, like adults, need to be in control of who is driving their bus. Children and their parents have a lot to learn from this short, wonderful book that will empower them to use self-regulation skills to manage their emotions in healthy ways.

Who is driving your bus today? This minute? It’s your choice to make!

Why You Should Feature This Book

Here are just a few reasons readers will want to buy Who Is Driving Your Bus? and a great bookstore will want to stock the book:

Who Is Driving Your Bus? is a fast-paced, funny, engaging children’s book that teaches children how to easily handle their emotions every day. Children will ask to read (or be read to) the book every day.

If you loved bestselling books like A Little Spot of Anger, What Should Danny Do?, The Color Monster, Ninja Life Hacks, and In My Heart, you’ll love Who Is Driving Your Bus?

Children can connect to the bus driver principle. One child, for instance, who had difficulty regulating his frustration, was inspired by the bus driver image. He said, “I guess I need a better bus driver!”

The author can bring along plush dolls to illustrate some of the emotions kids experience every day. These dolls set the basis for interactive presentations by the author at schools, bookstores, libraries, and other events.

Parents and children are attracted to book and plush combos that encourage children to act out their feelings revealed by engaging stories.

“The book’s colorful and fun illustrations are a significant part of its appeal, capturing the energy and personality of each emotion.” — American Writing Award

Book and Author Details

Who Is Driving Your Bus?

Shannon Sonnenberg, author

Birdie Rook, illustrator

22 pages, 8.5 x 8.5 inches

ISBN: 9781645386841, paperback, $9.99

ISBN: 9781645387657, hardcover, $15.99

Publication date: June 18, 2024

Publisher: Orange Hat Publishing

Book website: https://www.orangehatpublishing.com/product-page/who-is-driving-your-bus

Publisher’s phone: 414-207-6637 or 414-212-5477

Author website: https://www.instagram.com/shannon_sonnenberg

Author email: ssonnenbe10@alumni.uwosh.edu

About the Author

Shannon Sonnenberg-Pietila is an American children's book author. She also writes collections of poetry for adults. Shannon believes that through reading and writing, we can experience every emotion and every color in the human palette.

Shannon, a master of arts, is a special education teacher for students whom she adores. She lives in Wisconsin with the people and pets she loves most in the universe: her husband Todd, son Jeff, Corgi Buddy, and their rescue cats (Mitzy, Abigail, and Kitty). She writes to help understand the world around her.

Birdie Rock, the illustrator, graduated from Ringling College of Art and Design in Sarasota, Florida. After graduating, she realized she missed the Wisconsin snow, so she moved back to her childhood home. She hopes to keep making art and stories for kids of all ages.

How to Order the Book

You can order Who Is Driving Your Bus? from Ingram or Orange Hat Publishing.

One must always be careful of books and what is inside them, for words have the power to change us. — Theresa Gray

Do you want to change? Just read a new book every week, and you are guaranteed to change—and to change in a great way!