Lil Leroi's Rail & River Adventures - Softcover

Julia Elbon

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0870128817 ISBN 13: 9780870128813

Publisher: McClain Printing Company, 2018

Synopsis

These Switchback Stories continue the characters and add others. They can be read in sequence or independently. Stories are set in the Greenbrier River Valley from Durbin to Cass, West Virginia. The Durbin Rocket Ride and the historic Cass Scenic Railroad capture the views and spirit of the area. Featured are Shay engine rides on the switchback tracks and steam engines on the river tracks. Both served the lumber industry. The stories inspiration was a little yellow yard engine named Lil Leroi. The author felt he was an unsung hero who needed recognition for his life. The books tell how he and his neighbors live together and the stories highlight character building events that occur in the adventures. Book 1, entitled Lil Leroi, gives life to a train engine that first led the ride. He was replaced by a steam engine and was given the job of a yard engine. The story develops how he grows and finds friends in his new job and in the railyard. Book 2 entitled Lil Leroi s Railroad Summer builds on the first book and both books share learning to like yourself, living with your neighbors, developing your talents, making the best of your opportunities, including others, enjoying games, sharing, cooperating, trusting, developing friendships and just having summer fun. Book 3 tells how life with his animal neighbors and railyard friends challenge them. Adventures test their values, abilities, and imaginations. Surprises lie ahead as they cooperate to meet their chosen tasks. Hopefully, the stories will teach about trains as well as positive behavior. Behaviors change like the switchback tracks. People conquer obstacles in their lives and move on in the same way. The author hopes children can enjoy the stories and imagine along with Lil Leroi. It is her hope that they learn to lead productive and fulfilling lives. It is a great privilege to encourage children to realize their potential.

About this title

About the Author

Julia Lockridge Pitsenberger Elbon s careers have spanned education, real estate, and public service as a Legislator and County Commissioner. She admits the most satisfaction has been seeing people realize their potential. Self-concept building and positive attitude highlighted her guidance career. From elementary through college levels, she believed in students and encouraged them to believe in themselves. She was the first woman to represent her home county in the State Legislature and broke ground as a woman Realtor with her own independent real estate brokerage. She has been a volunteer and officer in civic and social organizations, and a charter member of many to include the county 4-H Foundation. Julia served thirty years on the West Virginia Housing Development Fund Board and was elected National President of that Association. She is a 4-H All Star, Business Woman of the Year, Realtor of the Year and a West Virginia Golden Horseshoe recipient. The latter being based on knowledge of West Virginia History. Working to grow the community and her beloved West Virginia, Julia volunteered to develop a real estate curriculum for a minor at the local college, Davis and Elkins College. It was a popular addition to the business department. Developing tourism and economic growth through supporting organizations and tourist venues showcasing the state are priorities of the author. She and her husband, Harold, devote much time to events and projects in the West Virginia s Highlands. She has twice married and has two children and two grandchildren whose imagination and creativity motivate possible stories. She cherishes the beauty of the West Virginia hills and rivers. The Greenbrier River and Cheat Mountain of Pocahontas County, West Virginia have been the setting for these three children s Switchback Stories. Julia treasures having been born, reared, and educated in the Mountain State. She still reads under her childhood reading tree--a hickory in her homestead meadow.

Edition details

• Publisher: McClain Printing Company
• Publication date: 2018
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0870128817
• ISBN 13: 9780870128813
• Binding: Paperback
• Illustrator: Heather Johnson
• Number of pages: 60