Kate Shelley's Train Rescue

Exciting Iowa History with a Girl Hero!

Kate Shelley’s Train Rescue tells the story of the Iowa teenager who, in 1881, saved the train from plunging to a watery death. Created and performed by puppeteer Stephanie Vallez, this exciting tale unfolds in the pages of two giant pop-up books peopled with paper puppets, masks, and rod marionettes and fun, low-tech special effects. It’s enhanced with Stephanie’s lovely singing voice. The story follows Kate’s life from her family’s ocean journey from Ireland through the train rescue to her adulthood.

Curriculum Connections: