Did you know October is National Roller Skating Month? I did not, but I'm so happy I know now, because I LOVE roller skating!
Growing up, I took classes at my local roller rink (I miss you, United Skates!), and in college my friends and I were obsessed with going to roller derby bouts in Asbury Park, a rapidly growing shore town. (Lucky for us, New Jersey has a thriving roller derby scene.) I also never took to rollerblading; it was always four wheels for me. In fact, a few years ago, Asbury Park hosted a Valentine's Day couples skate event, and you better believe my husband and I attended! (After many years off the wheels, we each only fell down once... when we bumped into each other.)
So, in honor of National Roller Skating Month, here are some Bananas magazine articles and vintage books we found in the Archive!
(Click the articles below to open hi-res version in a new window.)
He's a Rockin' Rocket Roller, Issue #18, 1978
Bananas Over Rollerskating!, Issue #33, 1979
Bananas Skates, Issue #42, 1980
Skates! by Ezra Jack Keats, 1973
Two dogs almost give up their efforts to learn to roller skate until they have an opportunity to help a stranded kitten.
Baby-sitters Little Sister #2: Karen's Roller Skates by Ann M. Martin, 1988
When Karen falls down on her new rollerskates, she breaks her wrist. Will she be able to find someone famous to sign her cast?
Hello Reader!/Scholastic Reader: Roller Skates! by Stephanie Calmenson, illustrated by True Kelley, 1992/2003
When the town shoe store has a big sale on roller skates, everyone from Joe the mailman to Pete the pizza boy ends up on wheels.
The Adventures of the Bailey School Kids: Cyclops Doesn't Roller Skate by Debbie Dadey and Marcia Thornton Jones, 1996
At the beginning of the new school year, all the children at Bailey Elementary must get their eyes checked by a doctor, and a rumor spreads that Dr. Polly is really a Cyclops stalking the people of Bailey City.
Special thanks to librarian Deimosa Webber-Bey for her ongoing help with this series!
Gina Asprocolas
