Virginia Lee Burton: Maybelle the Cable Car

Written and illustrated by Virginia Lee Burton

Burton’s 1952 book chronicles the history of the cable car in San Francisco and the 1947 movement to save one of the city’s signature features. It is credited with helping the movement to succeed.  The book is full of the sights and sounds of the city and celebrates the voice of democracy at work. The inspirational story follows Burton’s constant theme, persistence and triumph through adversity.  The artist donated nearly all the illustrations including sketches and the manuscripts to the San Francisco Public Library in a ceremony in December of 1967.