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 EngbergCopyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
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