Seabiscuit the Wonder Horse($19.99Value)

Description

It's Seabiscuit vs. War Admiral in the race of the century! Seabiscuit was the grandson of one of the greatest racehorses of all time, but he'd lost practically every race he'd ever run. Who would want a funny-looking racehorse on a losing streak? Enter Charles Howard -- automobile tycoon, risk taker, and racing aficionado -- who scooped up Seabiscuit for a bargain price. With the support and care of a clever new trainer and a loving jockey, 'Biscuit began winning bigger and bigger races. Then came the biggest race of all. As Seabiscuit prepared to face War Admiral, the top racehorse in the country, the entire nation was on the edge of its seat: Could Seabiscuit really beat the Triple Crown champion? This true story of hope and determination will inspire readers of all ages! Starred Review. Kindergarten-Grade 3—McCarthy tells one of the most famous stories in horse-racing history through stylized cartoon illustrations that convey the excitement of the track. Many of the oil paintings are made to look like snapshots in a photograph album with sepia-tinged backgrounds and black corner mounts. The easy-to-read text delivers facts about Seabiscuit's "family"—his owner, trainer, and jockey—and about the big race. An author's note provides interesting anecdotes about each person involved in Seabiscuit's success and demonstrates how the underdog became a champion. This dynamic book is ideal for social-studies units on the Great Depression, and, as an engaging read-aloud, it could generate discussion on perseverance, kindness toward animals, and determination. While perhaps not a must-have, it will be enjoyed by a wide audience.— Nancy Baumann, Indian Paintbrush Elementary, Laramie, WY Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. “Seabiscuit-itis” is a rare topic for children’s books, but the saga of this underdog, er, horse, makes a compelling story for kids. Here, McCarthy provides a lively if diffuse introduction to the famous animal; his owner, trainer, and jockey; and the excitement he gave to Americans during the Great Depression. McCarthy’s stylized acrylic art is less successful here than in previous offerings, often appearing too static for illustrations about racing. Regardless, young horse lovers will be attracted to the visual caricature of Seabiscuit and cheer him on through this courageous triumph-over-adversity tale. The book’s climax is, naturally, the big race against War Admiral, and the happy ending is followed by extensive author notes and a list of sources that includes a link to a video of this 70-year-old battle full of drama and exhilaration. Grades 1-3. --Andrew Medlar “An engaging read aloud.”— School Library Journal , starred review “Light on the melodrama, heavy on the facts and right on with the silly.”— Instructor magazine Meghan McCarthy is the award-winning author and illustrator of many books for children, including Earmuffs for Everyone!: How Chester Greenwood Became Known as the Inventor of Earmuffs ; Daredevil: The Daring Life of Betty Skelton ; Pop!: The Invention of Bubble Gum ; City Hawk: The Story of Pale Male ; Seabiscuit the Wonder Horse ; All That Trash ; and Action! A graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design, she lives in New York City. Visit her at Meghan-McCarthy.com.