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A review by dragonbitebooks
Carter's Star City Trolley Ride by Valerie Archual
Review first published on my blog, Dragon Bite Books.
Valerie Archual, the Ne Ne of the text, wrote Carter’s Star City Trolley Ride for her grandson, Carter. In it, the two go into Roanoke City to run some errands and explore. Their exploration takes them on the Star Line Trolley, to the farmer’s market, to the Candy Store and Center in the Square, across the train tracks to the Hotel Roanoke.... From downtown, Roanoke’s Star is visible on the top of Mill Mountain. For a person currently living near Roanoke, it was a treat and a delight to see the familiar city through a child’s wondering eyes. While I am aware of the trolley, I have never taken it, but I know and have visited many of the sites visited by Carter and his grandmother, Archual.
The book is colorfully illustrated by a friend of Archual’s, Hannah E. Carroll, who was 14 at the time of publication. Backgrounds are somewhat blurred so as not to take attention away from the clearly defined characters and the subjects of the illustrations. Archual shared photos of the day with Carroll, who drew inspiration from them.
This was a loving collaboration by author and illustrator, a family treasure that Archual has allowed the world to share, and a loving tribute to Roanoke City.
The text and illustrations are both well-executed.
I experienced this book as read aloud by the author.
****
Valerie Archual, the Ne Ne of the text, wrote Carter’s Star City Trolley Ride for her grandson, Carter. In it, the two go into Roanoke City to run some errands and explore. Their exploration takes them on the Star Line Trolley, to the farmer’s market, to the Candy Store and Center in the Square, across the train tracks to the Hotel Roanoke.... From downtown, Roanoke’s Star is visible on the top of Mill Mountain. For a person currently living near Roanoke, it was a treat and a delight to see the familiar city through a child’s wondering eyes. While I am aware of the trolley, I have never taken it, but I know and have visited many of the sites visited by Carter and his grandmother, Archual.
The book is colorfully illustrated by a friend of Archual’s, Hannah E. Carroll, who was 14 at the time of publication. Backgrounds are somewhat blurred so as not to take attention away from the clearly defined characters and the subjects of the illustrations. Archual shared photos of the day with Carroll, who drew inspiration from them.
This was a loving collaboration by author and illustrator, a family treasure that Archual has allowed the world to share, and a loving tribute to Roanoke City.
The text and illustrations are both well-executed.
I experienced this book as read aloud by the author.
****