The Wheels on the Race Car

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