Roberto's Trip to the Top

Breathtaking vistas and bustling scenes await a boy and his uncle when they ride the teleferico to the top of a mountain in Venezuela.

Today was the day! Finally it is time for Roberto to take his well-earned trip on the teleferico to the top of El Avila, the mountain overlooking his village. Since Papa has to work, Tio Antonio will go with his nephew, who makes sure to pack his camera so he can share the sights with Papa. Up, up, up, the cable car goes, over gasp-inducing ravines, to an exciting new world of vendors, animals, and a spectacular view of Caracas below. Featuring lively illustrations and interwoven with Spanish words that are translated in a glossary at the end, here is a warmhearted tale of a little boy’s first big adventure without his parents.

John B. Paterson Jr. and John B. Paterson Sr., father-and-son authors, based this story on their own 1970s trip to Caracas, where they rode the very teleferico featured in the book. John Sr. also collaborated with his wife, Newbery Award-winning author Katherine Paterson, on CONSIDER THE LILIES, IMAGES OF GOD, and BLUEBERRIES FOR THE QUEEN. They live in Barre, Vermont. John Jr., a first-time author, lives in New Canaan, Connecticut.

Renato Alarcao has illustrated many children’s books, including RED RIDIN' IN THE HOOD AND OTHER CUENTOS by Patricia Santos Marcantonio. He lives in Brazil.