Author(s): Brian Wray & Melanie Moore

General Fiction

Based on the true story of the Book Bus in Cincinnati, this picture book follows a vintage VW pickup truck that embarks on a new adventure to share the joy of reading. Tilly the truck loves two things-helping out on the farm and listening to the stories read to her by the little girl who lives in the farmhouse. As time passes, things change on the farm, and life gets very quiet for Tilly. Missing the feeling of being useful and the sounds of stories being read, Tilly has an idea to share books with the community by becoming the Book Bus. Children gleefully gathered around the little truck when they saw all of the books she had to give. One by one, Tilly handed each of them a special story of their very own. But when Tilly's passion for sharing books is jeopardized, will the community come forward to help her out? AGES: 4 to 8 AUTHORS: Brian Wray was born in Cincinnati and currently lives in Brooklyn, New York. He is the author of Traveling Rose, Fen's Drop of Gray, and Maia and the Very Tall Wall. His first two books, Max's Box and Unraveling Rose, were Foreword INDIES Gold winners for "Picture Books, Early Reader." Visit AuthorBrianWray.com. After 25 years of teaching in inner-city schools, Melanie Moore founded the Book Bus, a mobile bookstore in Cincinnati. Moore uses 100 percent of the profits from the store-which is housed in a 1962 Volkswagen pickup truck-to buy new children's books for schools and organizations in low-income areas. Learn more at cincybookbus.com. Mike Helm has made pictures since he was kid and has always wanted to make a picture book. He has worked as a designer, videographer, and musician and is the author of the novel Ex Post Facto. He lives in Cincinnati, Ohio. Visit his website at HelmWorksInc.com/mlh.