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This post is in partnership with The Children’s Book Review and Davon Miller. All opinions are my own.
Book Information
A Bus Can’t Drive Empty: An Alphaballiteration Adventure
Written by Davon Miller Ages: 4-6 | 52 Pages Publisher: Picture Novels (2025) | ISBN: 979-8992264708 Publisher’s Book Summary: It’s the end of the school day and three zebra friends are taking the school bus home when it runs out of gas, oh no! But when Chris, the bus driver, cleverly thinks of ways to continue on their jubilant journey, they have an adventure through the mountains, in a gondola, on a log, and on a pirate ship. Will the zebras finally make it home? This vibrant and whimsical story is a fun and silly read-aloud for families and educators of young children, featuring a playful combination of alliteration and alphabet learning, with individual letters used in rhythmic text across each spread. Author Interview with Davon Miller
Where did you get the inspiration for A Bus Can’t Drive Empty?
The idea for A Bus Can’t Drive Empty originated in my sixth grade Language Arts class, where we were learning about figurative language—similes, metaphors, hyperbole, and alliteration. One assignment asked us to write an original sentence for each figurative language, and I remember feeling proud of the alliterative sentence I came up with. That moment sparked the idea, at age eleven, to write an alliterative phrase for each letter of the alphabet. I found the challenge both fun and rewarding, and those phrases eventually became the foundation of a story titled “The ABCs of Alliteration”. While it wasn’t a traditional narrative, it functioned as a variety-style book, with each letter represented through its own mini “short.” I wrote and illustrated that story throughout sixth and seventh grade. I was proud of my work and shared it with one of my teachers, who gave me feedback that stuck with me—that alliteration is not just about the repetition of letters, but of sounds. I tucked that insight away for the future. Years later, during the COVID-19 pandemic, I revisited the story I had created as a child. Reading it again inspired me to take the concept further by crafting a cohesive, fully developed narrative that maintained the playful spirit of the original. What was your writing process like for this book? The writing process for the book was challenging but fun. In order for the story to work, I actually had to start at the letter Z first. I had to write backwards to move the story forward in some instances. What is your favorite part about writing books for kids? My favorite part about writing books for children is knowing that the stories I convey through words and illustrations further inspire young audiences to create and craft their own stories. What are you working on now? I’m currently working on a story based on my hometown alongside many other adventures. What is your favorite book? The Land of Stories: The Wishing Spell by Chris Colfer holds such a special place in my heart, as I remember it as being a book that I simply could not put down for the longest time. The entire series that Chris Colfer crafted with that series is beyond amazing. The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas is also tied for being my favorite book. Being another book that I was unable to put down, it was a book that truly spoke to me at a pivotal point in time. Giveaway
Enter for a chance to win a copy of A Bus Can’t Drive Empty: An Alphaballiteration Adventure by Davon Miller! And for one lucky grand prize winner, the ultimate prize pack includes a copy of A Bus Can’t Drive Empty, all five books from the Mr. Tickety-Toc Clock series, a Mr. Tickety-Toc Clock toddler tee and adult shirt, a themed coloring sheet, and a playful sticker from Davon’s first book series.
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