Clark Cox Historical Fiction Award, 2005
Paul Green Multimedia Award for illustrations
Inspired by real events, Walking Ribbon is a historical tale set in Liberty, North Carolina, in 1898. This story by Julia Taylor Ebel will charm readers with a nostalgic glimpse of the by-gone world of a small southern town as seen through the eyes of a young girl. Through Maggie, readers return to an era when time was more abundant, when people took time for relationships.
The lively story tells of little Maggie, who sets out on a walk around town with her pet calf, Ribbon. Maggie’s walk takes her across the railroad tracks and through the business street of old Liberty. On her return home, the arrival of the Shoo Fly train hands Maggie more than she bargained for.
By 1898, Liberty had developed around the railroad tracks. The steam engine, known to locals as the Shoo Fly, passed through town regularly and stopped at the depot.
Illustrations by Cheryl Powell of Kernersville are awash with sepia tones, giving the feel of times past. A touch of bright watercolors enliven images of the spunky yet tender Maggie and her calf.
The story has roots in an incident from the childhood of author Julia Ebel’s grandmother, the real Maggie Pickett, who once walked a calf. Ebel has created a story that reflects the town of her grandmother’s day. Care is given to placement of homes, buildings, and businesses, some of which remain in Liberty today. 32 pages, Ages 4 to 10
Order from the author.
Walking Ribbon (ISBN: 0-9662431-2-9) is priced $16.95.
Study Guide
Available in Microsoft Word. Click here to download a copy.