Common Sense Note
Parents need to know that the plot will make little sense to kids who haven't seen the film it's based on.
If kids have seen the movie, they can use the book as an opportunity to revisit their favorite parts and characters. Otherwise, it's best to skip it.
Common Sense Review
Reviewed By: Dawn Friedman
Skimpy on plot or characterization, this beginner's book won't mean much to kids who haven't seen Cars. Why is the sheriff chasing racecar McQueen? And what's tractor tipping?
Even parents who saw and liked the film will be hard-pressed to read this book out loud more than once. Even so, kids who are Cars fans will probably like revisiting the story.
Beginning readers will find this book accesible. Part of the Random House Step Into Reading series, Driving Buddies is written in large type and short sentences. The series is designed for kids who can recognize some words by sight and are ready to try to sound out others.
Those kids who have seen and loved the movie might find the book to be an easier introduction to reading since the plot and characters are already familiar.
Movie tie-ins aren't known for their inspired illustrations or text, and this short book is no exception. However if you have kids who loved the movie and could use a push toward reading confidence, it might be worth adding to your library.
From The Book
He flew into fences!
He crashed into cones!
He ripped up the road!
He made a big mess.
Plot Summary:
Racing car McQueen is trapped in a small town where he eventually makes friends with other cars.
Related Books:
For Kids Who Love Vehicles
Richard Scarry's Cars and Trucks and Things That Go by Richard Scarry
Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel by Virginia Lee Burton
| Content | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CS | adults | kids | ||
Sexual Content |
 |
|||
Violence |
|
|||
Language |
|
|||
Message |
|
|||
Social BehaviorGood messages about friendship. |
 |
|||
CommercialismBased on the Disney film, Cars. |
 |
|||
Drug/Alcohol/Tobacco |
|
|||
