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One of a multitude of tie-ins to Disney/Pixar's animated motion picture Cars, Driving Buddies provides the perfect book adaptation for young fans as either a picture book for parents to read or as an opportunity to read for fun for developing readers.
Driving Buddies (adapted to this format by Apple Jordan) recounts an ultra-simplified version of the movie. Lost on his way to the biggest race of his career, the race car McQueen tears up a stretch of road in an off-the-beaten-track small town. McQueen must fix things - begrudgingly - before he leaves. By the time he has finished his penance and prepares to leave for the race, McQueen has become friends with the denizens of the sleepy little town.
His new pals - especially Mater, the rusty, goofy tow truck - are sad to see him go.
They surprise McQueen by showing up as his pit crew at the race. McQueen's single-minded ambition
to win the race and the fame that would follow is tempered by his newly discovered friendships. Inspired, McQueen chooses to help another car finish the race rather than taking the glory for himself.
Having experienced the movie definitely enriches this sweet tale about what really matters in life - especially the scene where Mater and McQueen go tractor-tipping. Uproarious onscreen, the mention in the book is not half so interesting if kids (and grown-ups) haven't seen the movie yet.
A Step 2 book in Random House's "Step into Reading" series for beginning readers, Driving Buddies is geared to preschoolers, kindergartners and first-graders - children who recognize familiar words and sound out new words with help. It succeeds on that count, as well as giving children an educational chance to re-live the excitement and
delight of the movie.
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Cars: Driving Buddies