On July 8, the Carole Robertson Center for Learning welcomed young West Side children and families for a delightful launch event of Elvin Explores Vol. 4: Elvin Rides the Train, a new addition to the popular local coloring book series created by artists Jay Simon IV and Kent Jones.
The festive occasion featured a live reading of the new book, hands-on coloring stations, and an ice cream social, making it a memorable day for those in attendance. Located at 3701 W. Ogden Ave., the Robertson Center served as the perfect backdrop for this celebration of creativity and community.
Targeted at early learners aged 3 to 5, Elvin Rides the Train takes young readers on an enchanting journey across Chicago via the CTA el. This new volume encourages children to view their city as a vibrant place filled with connection, exploration, and discovery.
Following the launch, Elvin will hit the road for a summer book tour across the West Side. The tour will include stops at local festivals, coffee shops, and cultural hubs, allowing families to continue engaging with the character and the stories. This initiative is in line with Simon and Jones’ ongoing mission to promote community storytelling and create accessible arts education through their organization, Jones Corner Store.
Jones emphasizes that Elvin Rides the Train is part of a larger agenda aimed at addressing literacy challenges in neighborhoods like North Lawndale. By integrating art and creativity into literacy development, the project uses what young people admire as a natural entry point for engagement. As Jones explained, the coloring book creatively doubles as a tourism guide, shedding light on the often-overlooked history and landmarks of the West Side, which are crucial to community identity.
He noted, “There’s a stigma that certain parts of Chicago, especially on the West Side, are just dangerous. But people don’t talk about all the rich history, the important landmarks, and the things that are truly valuable to the residents. Through our book, we highlight that, so now parents can read it with their children and show them a different side of their city.”
The book’s goal transcends simple entertainment; it aims to build a sense of pride among young children and their families about their community. Jones believes that fostering strong connections to their neighborhoods will inspire residents to become more involved in ensuring community safety, cleanliness, and economic initiatives.
He remarked, “We identify with what’s important to us from the time we’re little kids, versus not really understanding what’s going on and being anxious to leave the community instead of being a resource to it. Our plan is to reach other communities as well, using art to inspire them to feel the same sense of connection and pride.”
Many members of the team are also parents, including Jones and Simon IV. They expressed their excitement in connecting with children aged three to five through the beloved activity of coloring, a cherished early artistic experience. The launch event was designed to be enjoyable and memorable, featuring frozen treats to cool down during the anticipated warm weather.
Jones described the day’s atmosphere: “We’re going to have some art for them to actually participate in, so it will be cool to see their little hands getting busy with the creative activities. Our team and community members will be there to facilitate and make sure everyone has a great time, creating a robust sense of community presence.”
When discussing how Elvin Rides the Train builds on previous volumes, Jones noted that each installment in the series introduces a new mode of transportation—starting with walking in Volume One, followed by a car in Volume Two, a bike in Volume Three, and now the train in Volume Four.
He explained, “We think that really relates to the people of Chicago because, as you know, it’s a big commuter city with all different forms of travel—everyone’s getting to work, getting to school, always hustling and bustling. It’s another way for us to make our character relatable to real life, and this volume is also different because we’ve introduced some new characters into the story.”
The project highlights collaboration with local artists who have contributed their own characters, reflecting the spirit of creative synergy within the community. The Elvin Explores series originated from a character developed by their creative agency, Jones Corner Store, named in honor of Jones’ grandfather, whose legacy continues to inspire their work.
Jones Corner Store was originally named for co-founder Kent Jones’ grandfather’s neighborhood shop and was reestablished in 2019 as a Chicago-based creative agency. The agency is dedicated to community-driven design, offering services such as branding, illustration, and apparel. Elvin the Elephant, their signature character, features prominently in a series of culturally rooted coloring books and collaborations designed to promote local storytelling and arts engagement.
In closing, Jones shared the personal motivation behind the brand: “I’ve always carried his spirit with me—he was someone who inspired me to be an entrepreneur and to follow my passions, based on the stories I’ve heard from my family. So when we created the brand, we knew we wanted a mascot, and that’s how Elvin ended up becoming ours.”
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