If you have a child that loves racing, race cars, and all things that go “vroom!” then this new children’s book, The Trouble with Howard, is for you!
The Trouble with Howard by Lee Anne Patterson with illustrations by Roger Warrick brings the author’s unique experience in the world of professional race driving to the fore. I love the way it pulls in her unique knowledge of the history of women in the sport. However, it is the fun and humor of the story takes first place. The Trouble with Howard is based on the real story of Howard and Anita Millican who rescued a skunk on the way to a racetrack. Howard named the skunk Trouble, and Trouble became part of the Millican racetrack family. This fictionalized tale about Trouble and Howard and Anita is funny and heartwarming.
The Author of The Trouble with Howard
The author, Patterson, was one of the first women to be a promotion director of a national track, manage a race series. Additionally, she was the first to co-own and manage an IndyCar team. In this book, she profiles another first in racing: Anita Millican. Anita was the first woman licensed as an IndyCar Mechanic and the first to go over the wall as a part of the pit crew.
Smartly, Patterson presents Anita’s role in racing as run-of-the-mill, ordinary. In this great read aloud, Patterson centers the trouble, pun intended, that ensues with Trouble in the racing mix. This fun, fictional story will bring car lovers out of their seats. Further, it is an engaging book for any young reader (or listener) and their caregiver!
A Great Read Aloud with Important Themes: Sportsmanship, Kindness, and More!
This picture book is a great read aloud that presents themes of sportsmanship, kindness to animals and women in racing. The vivid illustrations draw your into the book and the humorous story wins the day. Additionally, a starred Blue Ink Review notes, “Patterson smartly avoids letting the story of a girl mechanic carry the book, but writes as if it’s simply natural for girls to inhabit this space.” For kids that love race cars, the Cars movie series, matchbox cars, Hot Wheels, and all things that “Go!” this is the perfect book!
Further, educators, librarians, caregivers, and homeschoolers, this book is a great addition to any children’s library. Plus, Journeys in Film has created free learning materials for the book available on their website. These include free coloring pages of illustrations from the book and resources that pair the book with a news story about Caitlyn Brown. Brown won the Indy 500 doing the same with Team Penske on Josef Newgarden’s car. The learning material includes a CBS Newsreel about Caitlyn Brown at The Indianapolis 500. Great for PreK through Middle School!
The book is available at the Official website: www.TheTroublewithHoward.com. Hardcover, 44pg / MSRP $18.50 / ISBN 979-8-9902067. I also love the Trouble plush skunk toy also available on the book website. Yes, let’s have more ponytails in the pits and show all kids that they can be anything!
Jennifer Fischer
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