“Awesome Illustrations. My daughter
loved this book.”
- Kelley Earnhardt Elledge
From School Library Journal
Starred Review. PreSchool-Grade 2–"Racers…start your engines!!!" And
the cars are off to a flying start in this variation of the perennially popular
song "The Wheels on the Bus." Brightly colored vehicles driven by a
menagerie of animals zoom around the track, stop for a quick tune-up
("zizz-zizz-zizz"), and fill up with gas ("glug-glug-glug")
before zipping back into the race. Each verse highlights an action or a sound
that is related to racing, e.g., "The checkered flag goes
SWISH-SWISH-SWISH." The hectic pace of the participants, including the pit
crew, is energetically illustrated through unique perspectives, the use of
motion lines, and plenty of exhaust fumes. This action-packed book begs to be
read aloud and will surely add a bit of excitement to storytimes and one-on-one
readings.–Wendy Woodfill, Hennepin County Library, Minnetonka, MN
From Booklist
PreS-K. "Racers . . . Start your engines!!!" And the Wildlife 500 is
off! With new words that swing to the rhythm of "The Wheels on the
Bus," Zane moves the favorite song from school bus to a racetrack run by a
zoo full of animals. Zane squeezes more words into the refrain than the
original song, requiring some verbal dexterity to stay on beat, especially in
the opening line: "The wheels on the race car go ROUND and ROUND."
There may also be a few too many verses to maintain listeners' interest. But
the words, filled with the "VROOM-VROOM-VROOM" of the motors and
"SWISH-SWISH-SWISH" of the checkered flag will easily capture
children, as will Warhola's wonderful pencil-and-watercolor illustrations. Thrilling,
full-page spreads of wildly colored cars and winsome animal drivers show the
action from the mechanics' pit, the riotous stands, and even the driver's seat.
Endpapers feature drawings of a goofy mutt demonstrating the hand gestures that
can accompany each verse. A sure-fire hit for rowdy read-alouds. Gillian
Engberg
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
Kirkus Reviews
It is immediately clear that this is a new spin on an old favorite. That in no way detracts from the fun of this child-paced thriller, however. The setting is a racetrack abuzz with hundreds of jostling animals. The drivers and fans are a vast array of wildlife from moose and rhinoceros to dog and penguin. In fact, by eyeing the crowd, the reader will see almost every kind of animal represented, including the odd warthog. Illustrated in dizzying perspectives, the drivers zip around the track in their colorful race cars (the sponsors appropriately chosen to reflect their animal-turtle mobile homes, rhino battery charger) jockeying for position until the last breathless moment when the winner crosses the finish line as "The checkered flag goes Swish-Swish-Swish." Even the end papers are replete with hand motions to accompany the song. The illustrations are full of funny details, so there is much to look at, but there's no clutter. This illustrated tune will enhance any child's library and sit cozily next to its predecessor until it takes off again. (Picture book. 3-6)
Customer Reviews
Avg. Customer Review: 
Write an online review and
share your thoughts with other customers.
|
I just bought this book Saturday at the book store and when I started to read through it, it was just too cute & I had to buy it. On Monday, I read it to my Preschool class (4-5 year olds) and they LOVED IT! It's easy for them to follow along and they where chiming in as I read it. Also they caught on to the pattern and would say the words before I read them. I also taught them the hand motions too. They kept singing it later. If your child(ren) love to sing "Wheels on the Bus" then will love this book. |
I agree with all of the praise that others have given for this book: great pictures, fun verses, etc. An added feature is also the way it can be used with children working on improving speech skills. I work in early childhood special education and serve many children who receive speech therapy. The verses in the book have sounds in them that are common ones the children I see are working to produce/practice: z & p("zizz", "zip"), g ("glug", "go"), v & m ("vroom"). With the familiar tune to sing along with this is a fun way to work on speech skills-for every child. |