Video eBook Series: The Old Man and the Bicycle and a Q&A session with Trevor Romain

Explore the story behind "The Old Man and the Bicycle" narrated and  illustrated by best-selling children's author, Trevor Romain. A team member of his company asked Mr. Romain to share insights about the book for any loyal fans or a bookworm newcomer.  

Trevor Romain Company: 
1. We're excited to read and watch the story of "The Old Man and the Bicycle", but first, why did you want to tell this story? 

Trevor: 
This story epitomizes the word ‘integrity’. It’s a positive story and if I keep repeating it, the old man and his actions will never be forgotten.

Trevor Romain Company: 
2. Is this story of "The Old Man and the Bicycle" based on a real life experience of you or someone you know? If so, please explain further. 

Trevor: 
This is a true story that happened to me when I was a young man.

Trevor Romain Company: 
3. With being said, what do you think makes a good story? 

Trevor: 
A good story starts with a thread that will pull the reader through the narrative. It needs conflict, resolution and an ending that will make readers continue to feel the story long after it’s over.

Trevor Romain Company: 
4. What does your family think of your writing and illustrations? 

Trevor: 
My family pretty much thinks I’m a buffoon, but my mum loves my stories and drawings and as long as she loves ‘em I’ll keep telling them.

Trevor Romain Company: 
5. Who are the author(s) and might we add illustrators that you look up to for inspiration and motivation to keep sharing stories? 

Trevor: 
There are way too many authors to list here but I do love Bryce Courtenay, Roald Dahl, Shel Silverstein and Madeleine L'engle to name a few. My favorite illustrators are Danny Gregory, Quentin Blake and Ronald Searle.

Trevor Romain Company: 
6. How would you define a storyteller? 

Trevor: 
A person who can keep you engaged for more that 60 seconds in this fast-paced, attention-span-challenged world.

Trevor Romain Company: 
7. Do you want each book to stand on its own, or are you trying to build a body of work with connections between each book? 

Trevor: 
There are no real connection to characters in my books but rather a thread weaving through them highlighting the power of kindness and hope. It’s a theme I pull through my books even though some look totally different to each other.

Trevor Romain Company: 
8. If you could tell your younger writing self to read a certain book, what would it be and why? 

Trevor: 
I would suggest the Book Thief. It’s one of my favorite books of all time. It includes thought provoking illustrations in the middle so it spoke to me both with words and pictures. One of the most powerful books I have ever read.

Trevor Romain Company: 
9. What are 3 words that would best describe the "man" in "The Old Man and the Bicycle" and why?

Trevor:
Integrity is important.  Because without integrity the moral fibre of society starts to unravel.

Trevor Romain Company: 
10. Why should readers and viewers read this particular book? 

Trevor: 
It’s an important universal story that crosses all cultural, race and ethnic boundaries to showcase the importance of being true to oneself.

Now It's Story Time: 
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