Roy Makes a Car

Inspired by a tall tale collected by Zora Neale Hurston, 'Roy Makes a Car' introduces readers to Roy Tyle, a legendary mechanic from Eatonville, Florida. Roy is so skilled, he can fix anything, but he's never found a car built to his liking. Convinced that better design could prevent accidents, Roy sets out to build his own accident-proof automobile. This engaging story celebrates ingenuity, community spirit, and the power of imagination, making it a wonderful read-aloud for ages 4-11 and an accessible early chapter book for independent readers.

"If Roy Can't Fix It, Nobody Can" Down in Eatonville, Florida, there's a man who can clean spark plugs just by looking at them hard, and who can grease an axle faster than you can say "carburetor." Folks round those parts claim Roy Tyle might just be the best mechanic in the world. But Roy, you know, he never can find an automobile made to suit him. He figures, if a car was built right, there wouldn't be so many collisions out on the road. And so when Roy -- that wonder-making man -- says he's going to make an accident-proof car, there's no telling what he'll cook up behind his double-locked doors.... Based on a tall tale collected by legendary African-American writer Zora Neale Hurston, Mary E. Lyons's souped-up story is perfectly complemented by Terry Widener's bold, dramatic illustrations.