Maybelle the Cable Car [Paperback]

Virginia Lee Burton (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 5 and up | Grade Level: K and up

Maybelle was a cable car a San Francisco cable car. . . She rang her gong and sang her song from early morn till late at night. . . . By recounting the actual events in San Francisco's effort to keep the city's cable cars running, this classic story illustrates how the voice of the people can be heard in the true spirit of democracy. Virginia Lee Burton's original art for Maybelle the Cable Car was retrieved from the archives of the San Francisco Public Library to re-create this edition with all the vibrant charm of the original, which was published in 1952.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

reS-Gr 2-This is a lively retelling of the classic story by Virginia Lee Burton (HM, 1996). The narrator, Peter Kovner, provides dramatic narration, and a woman contributes a suitable, strong-willed voice for Maybelle. The story is accompanied by jaunty background music and sound effects that supplement the telling nicely. For example, a meeting is accompanied by low mumbling voices, and a victory scene is backed up with the sound of a cheering crowd. Side one of the tape includes page turn sounds of a bell clanging. On side two, the story is told uninterrupted. This book and tape set will be a useful addition for public and school libraries.

Maren Ostergard, Bellvue Regional Library, King County Library System, WA

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

"The reissue of Maybelle the Cable Car, with original art retrieved from the San Francisco Public Library archives, is a happy occasion." -- Review

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Paperback: 48 pages
• Publisher: Sandpiper (March 31, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0395840031
• ISBN-13: 978-0395840030
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 9.5 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #31,002 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Virginia Lee Burton was the talented author and illustrator of some of the most enduring books ever written for children. The winner of the 1942 Caldecott Medal for The Little House, Burton's books include heroes and happy endings, lively illustrations, and a dash of nostalgia. She lived with her two sons, Aristides and Michael, and her husband George Demetrios, the sculptor, in a section of Gloucester, Massachusetts, called Folly Cove. Here she taught a class in design and from it emerged the Folly Cove designers, a group of internationally known professional artisans.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars I love transportation and Maybelle is a favorite. Great art!, January 9, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Maybelle the Cable Car (Paperback)

I am five and I can read. I love transportation books. I have books by Virginia Lee Burton- Katy, Mike Mulligan and The Little House. I got Maybelle for Xmas. I like the cable car and the Golden Gate Bridge. I like the artwork. I looked up San Francisco on my map and on the internet. If you like transportation, this is a great story!

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Cable Car nostalgia for Kids!, November 1, 2000

By 

Huntsmæñus "Lord of the Wolf Weeds" (New Orleans, La) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Maybelle the Cable Car (Paperback)

One of my favorite books one I was a kid, and enjoyable for grown-ups, as well. Some wonderful art illustrating the workings of a cable car, San Francisco scenery, hilly hills with loads of cable car track, and a sweet story giving a simplified history of the train with a cable, and some contemporary settings(contemporary for when this book was originally released)chronicling the rise and popularity of the bus. But not to worry, Maybelle and her sisters win an election to stay in the city by the bay. Extremely enjoyable and under-rated.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An undiscovered gem, October 16, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Maybelle the Cable Car (Hardcover)

I read this title to my first grade library class during a unit on the works of Virginia Lee Burton each year and they enjoy it. We discuss cable cars beforehand and then read it. They really appreciate the artwork and story. Another fine piece of children's literature by Mrs. Burton.