There's a fun way to explore Charlottesville thanks to a new guide book.
To illustrate exactly what the community has to offer, the experts where called in. Third graders from Virginia L. Murray in Albemarle County used their artistic expertise to help create the "ABC's of Charlottesville."
Xander Vaughn is nine years old and among the third graders who drew a picture for the book. "We drew a guy downtown playing the drums," Vaughn said.
Catherine Lambert is also in the third grade and was among the first to get a glimpse of the finished book. "We drew "D" is for downtown, and we drew the Downtown Mall and how all the shops and places there," Lambert said.
The "ABC's of Charlottesville" is author Rebecca Coughlin's second guide book. It lists some of the areas best attractions for kids and their families.
"The ABC's of Charlottesville just lists all the different places that Charlottesville has to offer from stores to visit, shows to see, classes to take, parks to visit. Just everything that makes this town so unique and wonderful," Coughlin said.
From A to Z readers can scope out places to visit including a beach, orchards and a zoo.
The students' art teacher, Jocelyn Johnson, said the kids worked hard making rough drafts before turning in hard copies of their illustrations.
"They were extremely excited because it was going to be an authentic project that was (going to) be a book that would really be in the world. So they were really excited about participating in that," Johnson said.
The book was edited and designed in Crozet and printed in Charlottesville. Now, it's ready for the community to enjoy.
"I think Charlottesville has so much more than a lot of people know. There are a lot of hidden treasures all around town," Coughlin said.
The "ABC's of Charlottesville" is being sold in several stores in the area so far. They include Over the Moon, Toddsbury of Ivy, The Bellair Market, Shenanigans, Alakazam, Utopia and Bounce N Play.
The price for the book ranges from $12 to $15.
