Program Coordinator and author Carol Ballard with her new book on Streetcar 153. Photo: Alison Boulier

By Lene Burgmann, Programs Assistant

Breaking news! MONOVA has published a children’s book!

Carol Ballard, MONOVA’s Programs Coordinator, has written a new children’s book called The Journey of Streetcar 153 that tells the story of MONOVA’s star artifact in the lobby of the Museum of North Vancouver (115 West Esplanade).

Two talented local artists, Elise Saatchi and Seoyeon Jeoung (originally from Carson Graham Secondary and Emily Carr University of Art + Design, respectively) have illustrated the book as part of a Young Canada Works internship. MONOVA has published it through The Self Publishing Agency (TSPA) in West Vancouver.

A Story of Resilience

Streetcar 153 has an important job carrying passengers up and down Lonsdale Avenue. It’s hard work, but 153 loves it! That is, until the buses arrive.

Will this new mode of transportation mean the end of the little streetcar? Ride along to find out, and to meet some of the people 153 picked up along the way!

The Journey of Streetcar 153 by Carol Ballard is now available exclusively in the MONOVA Museum Store (115 West Esplanade). Photo: Alison Boulier

A story of resilience, the storybook streetcar has found a new sense of purpose as an artifact at MONOVA. The story ends with a simple question that aligns well with the Museum’s goal of engaging our visitors: “Do you have a story to tell me?”

Streetcar Time Capsule

Do you have a story to tell us? We would love to hear it!

MONOVA has created a Streetcar Time Capsule where kids can leave a note or a drawing or they can tell a story they would like to share with the streetcar (Who are you? Do you have a pet? What’s your connection to this neighbourhood? What are you excited about?).

The time capsule contributions will be used in an upcoming display. Next fall, kids can come back to the museum and see their very own contribution exhibited.

Readings of The Journey of Streetcar 153 will take place during MONOVA’s free community day on December 11 in support of the launch of the You Are Here @ The Shipyards exhibit.

Book Launch on December 11

On Sunday, December 11, as part of the free community day in support of the launch of the new You Are Here @ The Shipyards exhibit, join us at the Museum of North Vancouver (115 West Esplanade) for our Streetcar 153 book launch event.

We’ll be offering hourly readings from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.

The Streetcar Time Capsule will be available and eagerly awaiting your stories! Write or draw it at home or create it at the Museum – we will have paper, crayons and pens available for everyone! Adults can share their stories, too!

See you there!

The Journey of Streetcar 153 by Carol Ballard and illustrated by Elise Saatchi and Seoyeon Jeoung is now available at the MONOVA Museum Store (115 West Esplanade).