The hallmark of many great writers is that they draw from their own experiences. This is true for Lorraine Fletcher, a school bus driver who has published a children’s book, “Go Where the Bus Goes,” that is now available for purchase at a website of the same name.
In addition, Fletcher told STN on Tuesday that an American School Bus Council representative just confirmed they will present the new book at the next NAPT Summit in 2015. She said she is still hoping to find a co-publisher, as the expenses of self-publishing necessitate that she charge $20 per copy.
Fletcher began driving for Pulaski County Schools in Kentucky after her twins entered high school about 11 years ago. While developing ideas for the book, she found an illustrator in fellow bus driver C.J. Bloomer (pictured with Fletcher, above) when the two struck up a conversation one day.
“And the rest is history,” said Transportation Director Richard Edwards. “I think it’s an amazing undertaking, and I am proud of them and their work. I am so glad to be associated with and have as employees these two drivers.”
After eight years behind the wheel, Fletcher said she still looks forward to each new school year. Meeting new riders who may not be familiar with bus behavior sparked the idea for the book, which features a bus driver named Tom Turtle, who transports his students home from school through rural Kentucky on a beautiful spring day. The colorful cast of characters add a twist of humor to the rules of conduct, which makes it fun to read.
“I believe this book could be a helpful part in teaching students during bus safety month. It could also be published as a coloring book. Learning is supposed to be fun!” she said. “Most of the new riders are young and scared and don’t really know what to expect. It’s important to make them feel safe on a bus.”
Fletcher added that a good place to start is simply reminding students that riding on the bus is like being in a classroom. So, it is important for kids to sit still, keep their hands to themselves, watch their voice levels and stay seated until the bus stops. Once they exit the school bus, she stressed that their main job is to stay alert and proceed cautiously in the “danger zone,” the 10-feet perimeter of the bus.
“Look both ways and pay attention — the biggest problem I see is the habit of texting while boarding and exiting the bus. The afternoon route is the most challenging part of the day because the kids are wild and noisy!” she shared.
Fletcher noted it is very important for drivers to get up and walk down the aisle, engage the students in conversation and remind them about the basics.
It took her a year or two to gather ideas for the book, she recalled, so she had plenty of time to jot down interesting, humorous things she saw and heard on the bus. Shortly after she had a manuscript ready to go, she met Bloomer in the bus garage. He has been an operator for a couple of years, and his wife and mother-in-law also drive buses.
“It was a wonderful and unexpected bit of luck for me to find such a talented artist. I gave the manuscript to C.J., along with a detailed description of the characters, and he just got it right away…
“No matter the outcome, this has been a creative journey and a worthwhile project,” she said about her journey writing and self-publishing her book.
