The Wheels on the Race Car
Written by:
Alexander Zane
Illustrated
by: James Warhola
Scholastic,
Inc.
2005
27 pages
Fantasy
I chose this book because my
cooperating teacher loaned the book to me.
The students in my practicum class are learning about friction, kinetic
energy, and movement and this book talks about motion. The story is about a race. This race is very similar to a NASCAR race in
which animals are driving the cars and they are competing to win first place. As the race unfolds, there are many sounds
heard in the arena. The entire book is
written to tune of “The Wheels on the Bus” and so the book follows a
predictable pattern like a song. In
fact, in the back of the book, a CD is given to play aloud as you read it. In the end, there is a winner of the race and
the story ends.
The illustrations are designed by
James Warhola. The book does not tell
the medium Warhola used, but it looks to be watercolor, acrylic, pens, and colored
pencils. The illustrator uses bright
shades of red, blue, and green to describe the race. My favorite drawings are the animals. The animals driving the cars in the race are
so humorous and exciting. It is the best
part of the book, in my opinion. I like
the way Warhola used the angles on the cars just like they show NASCAR races on
TV. Boys would love this book!
This book is appropriate for
children in kindergarten through fourth grade.
The sing-song form of the book is better for younger children. I would use this book in my classroom in
Language Arts lessons. This book would
be a great opener to a lesson on onomonopia. With words such as, “Vroom!” “Zip!”
and “Swish!” the book would be a great example.
The song would put my students in a good mood with their ears open. To be honest, this was not my favorite
book. The Wheels on the Race Car
is a cute book, but it has no real conflict or resolution. This book is just something fun to do with
your class or use as a short introduction to a lesson. This book has received no awards.
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