originally posted on 3/17/2023 6:09:00 PM
Children's books are often entertaining, heartwarming and simple stories that can be enjoyed from a very early age. Roller coasters, however, are not so enticing to young ones - frankly put, they're intimidating at first sight, and stay scary until that
natural fear is overcome. So how might children get interested in roller coasters before conquering their fears? Aimee Carver, author of R is for Roller Coaster, may have found the solution.
R is for Roller Coaster's book cover.
Photo: A. Carver. View full-sized image.
What is "R is for Roller Coaster"?
R is for Roller Coaster is an unconventional twist on the alphabet book genre - evidently, it's about roller coasters! As a whole, the book is colorful and aesthetically pleasing yet cleanly formatted. Starting from "A is for Airtime" to "Z
is for Zero-G Roll", each letter of the alphabet has its own roller coaster-related term and subsequent definition provided. While there is one definition per letter, underneath that definition is a list of other coaster-related terms starting with
that same letter — more definitions for readers to find on their own. R is for Roller Coaster isn't just a one-of-a-kind alphabet book for children; it's also an enjoyable read for enthusiasts, both new and experienced. ACE360 had the pleasure
of asking Aimee a few questions about her distinct book.
"In your words, what makes R is for Roller Coaster special?"
Aimee:
It's never too early to introduce the thrilling world of roller coasters to the next generation. Before their children are even tall enough to ride, both casual roller coaster fans and hard-core enthusiasts can use R is for Roller Coaster to help teach words and concepts from "A is for Airtime" to "Z is for Zero G-Roll". The book serves as a comprehensive alphabetical list of every roller coaster term and major manufacturer out there and features one highlighted term per letter, a definition of that term in child-friendly language and a ride photo that brings that concept to life.
Written based on my 35+ years of coaster riding, R is for Roller Coaster provides letter recognition practice alongside terminology that takes children through the physics, mechanics, engineering, and design of these amazing thrill rides. Easy-to-digest definitions and full-color photography help drive home concepts that can appeal to both future thrill seekers practicing their alphabet as well as young readers practicing their bravery. This book could appeal to parents and caregivers who are hoping to raise a future ride buddy, and it even comes with a "My First Roller Coaster Log" that has space for a child's first 20 credits and can be filled in together!
Aimee and her son riding Fireball at Adventureland (Farmingdale, New York). R is for Roller Coaster.
Photo: A. Carver. View full-sized image.
"What inspired you to write the book?"
Aimee:
I'm a lifelong roller coaster enthusiast, and I've been looking forward to raising a future ride buddy ever since I found out I was pregnant. My son (now six-and-a-half years old) rode his first roller coaster with me back in 2019 when he was four months shy of his third birthday. I was so proud of his bravery (I didn't ride my first roller coaster until I was five!) and excited by his interest in rides, so I thought I'd put some kid-appropriate roller coaster books on his Amazon "wish list" for Christmas that year. I was surprised and disappointed to see how few there actually were, so I came up with the idea to write my own. My goal was to publish a non-fiction children's book about roller coasters that would both teach and inspire. I also wanted it to be something that grown-up enthusiasts enjoyed reading with their kids as well. That's how R
is for Roller Coaster was born!
Aimee and her son Mason enjoying Puff the Little Fire Dragon together (Lagoon Amusement Park) - Mason's very first roller coaster.
Photo: A. Carver. View full-sized image.
"What was the development process like for R is for Roller Coaster?"
Aimee:
Putting together R is for Roller Coaster was one part brainstorm (I initially thought of every single roller coaster term and manufacturer I could and placed them in an alphabetical list), one part research (I scoured the internet to check my list against informational roller coaster sites), and one part collaboration (I reached out to my coaster enthusiast cousin to make sure I wasn't leaving anything out). I then cherry-picked some of the most important terms and defined them in my own words. Finally, I selected photos of coasters from parks around the world that best illustrated each highlighted concept and either got the permission of the photographer directly or paid for the proper rights to use them in my book. I self-published my book through a reputable site, and it's been available for distribution on Amazon and on Barnes & Nobles' website since December 2021. R
is for Roller Coaster was a true labor of love, and the project gave me focus and optimism as I worked on it during the pandemic. My ultimate goal is to have my book available for sale within the gift shops of theme parks across the country!
Aimee with her son showing off her book.
Photo: A. Carver. View full-sized image.
R is for Roller Coaster can be bought on Amazon's or Barnes and Nobles' websites.
— Kohl Gribble, ACE360 Coordinator
#ACE360