The legions of kids who idolize today's NASCAR drivers may find it hard to believe that the notion of racing automobiles—originally known as horse-less carriages—began back in 1895 in Chicago. In the first work he has written as well as illustrated, Dooling (The Amazing Life of Benjamin Franklin) harnesses kids' fascination with cars to deliver a period curio. An introductory historical note sets the scene, describing the vehicles, drivers and the race's genesis (the Chicago Times-Herald
wished to prove that horse-less carriages could outperform the traditional horse and carriage). From there, readers join cheering bystanders who watch Oscar Mueller's Benz, Frank Duryea's "buggyaut" and Jerry O'Conner's Macy wagon; of the 79 carriages entered, only six started the race, and only these three stayed in it beyond the first miles. Dooling imagines the drivers' emotions and thoughts as they struggle through snow and cold on a 52-mile course (the winner crossed the finish line after 10 hours, 23 minutes). Dooling's copious research is evident in his attention to detail. His oil paintings, rendered predominantly in grays, whites and blacks, skillfully evoke the era via period clothing and accurate reproductions of the vehicles. Slow-and-steady pacing and the occasional unexpected detour/setback similarly reflect the historical record, but the relatively sluggish course of the race also slackens the narrative tension. Ages 6-10. (Nov.)
