R is for Roller Coaster is a brand new ABC book for enthusiasts to share their love Roller Coasters with soon-to-be enthusiasts. It was published on December 7th, 2021, and was written by Aimee Carver. She was frustrated at the lack of books for children about something she is passionate about. So she decided to do something about it. As an enthusiast with young kids, I can report this is an excellent book!
R is for Roller Coaster Experience
The book clocks in at 60 pages. The cover is hard and has tons of great pictures to keep the kids excited. Each page will list a letter and then tag it with an enthusiast term. Also, a brief but concise definition of the term for each is given. Additionally, the pages will list others terms that fit the letter. Last in the book is a roller coaster log. The idea here is as a kid rides coasters they will be able to write down and keep track of their journey.
R is for Roller Coaster: The Good
The photos are fantastic. Not only are they great photos, but the diverse collection here really spans the globe. This isn’t just a collection of coasters from the author’s home park. Great examples come from all countries and with different types of coasters! As I was reading it with my kids the pictures sparked so many conversations. Some of the pictures fascinated my two girls. I would then be able to stop and explain it to them. This became my favorite aspect of the book.
The conversations that I had with my daughters as we read over this book were the exact reason that Aimee wrote it. She wanted to inspire young kids to get passionate about coasters. Sitting with my two daughters on my lap as we read and talked for about an hour was great! I got to read to them and share a part of myself with them by using this book.
Now my kids are learning insider terms that will help them grow as my young riding buddies. So next time we are at our home park of Six Flags St. Louis they will be able to use what they have learned. My oldest who is six now has an explanation for what (A is for) Airtime is when she rides Screamin’ Eagle. Or my youngest can talk about how Our (M is for) Mine Train is a type of coaster that is western-themed.
The Bad
Glossy paper would have improved this book. This was probably done as a cost-saving measure. If that is the case then it is understandable. It does hurt the pictures in the book. Now I don’t think my kids or yours even will notice something like this. But some of the photos will lose some of their shine from the type of paper used.
I would have hoped for a little longer and more playful explanation of the terms. Since this is a kid’s book the terms could have used a dash of silliness to them. Nothing is exactly wrong with any of the terms. I think just a little more elaboration would have helped.
Final Verdict
R is for Roller Coaster is a great book. The author set out to help encourage more riding buddies. On that, I think she knocked it out of the park! This will now become a go-to for before-bed reading with my kids. Some glossy pages would have helped the photos pop a bit more, and there could have been more playful writing, but that is small stuff. My kids and I really loved this book! This could be a great gift for younger kids that could use some help along in becoming a Roller Coaster enthusiasts. Because of these reasons, R is for Roller Coaster gets a nine out of ten.
Thanks for Reading!
Don’t just read our Review. Please go support this book by purchasing a copy wherever books are sold! You can purchase it from Barnes and Noble which currently has the best price. R is for Roller Coaster: An ABC Guide for Future Thrill Seekers by Aimee Carver, Hardcover | Barnes & Noble® (barnesandnoble.com). Or from Amazon R is for Roller Coaster: An ABC Guide for Future Thrill Seekers: Carver, Aimee: 9780578324036: Amazon.com: Books.
If you found this review helpful or informative would you please consider sharing this with your friends, family, and fellow roller coaster enthusiast? You can let me know how much you liked the book by posting your comment here, or on any of our social media pages. You can find me always posting about Roller Coasters on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/themeparkcoastercrazy/ and Facebook https://www.facebook.com/Themeparkcoastercrazy.