Miles to the Finish

by Jamie Harper, Jamie Harper (Illustrator)

Overview

The creator of Miles to Go heads over to the preschool Grand Prix, where a little girl is about to give the boys a run for their money.

It’s race day at the Red Apple School, and Miles and Otto can’t wait. But what’s that fancy Speedster doing here? It belongs to a girl named Indie, and the boys had better get in shape if they want to win the trophy! Soon everyone is off — whish! whoosh! — and Miles takes an early lead. But then Indie is at his side, only to go off the track. Will Miles take his chance for an easy win? Young children will bubble with excitement as they follow the adorable, foot-powered race — and smile at the satisfying ending.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780763655624
Publisher:	Candlewick Press
Publication date:	05/27/2014
Pages:	32
Product dimensions:	9.60(w) x 9.10(h) x 0.30(d)
Age Range:	3 - 7 Years

About the Author

Jamie Harper is the creator of the companion book Miles to Go. She also wrote and illustrated Miss Mingo and the First Day of School, Miss Mingo and the Fire Drill, and Miss Mingo Weathers the Storm, as well as the Baby Bundt books. Jamie Harper lives outside of Boston.

Editorial Reviews

The charm in Harper’s Miles books doesn’t get old—children using their imaginations, directing their own play, and showing empathy and kindness for all. What could be better?
—Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

Without being heavy-handed, the story shows that winning is not the most important thing. Illustrations are done in block prints and mixed-media collage, using watercolor, ink, and cut paper. They vary from spreads to single pages, with onomatopoeia sprinkled here and there. ... The book is easy enough for beginning readers, has pictures large and clear enough for a small read-aloud session, and could be a good discussion starter.
—School Library Journal

The illustrations are done with block prints and mixed-media collage. Each of the eight racers has a unique and expressive face and body, and their enthusiasm is infectious from start to finish line. Race car lovers will have a ball with this one.
—Booklist Online

The book’s brightly colored mixed media art and dialogue-driven story make it perfect for reading aloud, right down to the big “ERRRRRH!” when Miles slams on the brakes. Such drama!
—BookPage Online

From the Publisher

04/01/2014
PreS-Gr 1—It's race day, and Miles is pretty pumped, until he sees a new driver with an electric car in the lineup: Indie and her Speedster 660. Miles knows that she is going to be tough to beat, so he trains extra hard. At the start of the race, he is in the lead. His friend Otto spins out, and Miles backs up to make sure he's okay. He loses the lead but quickly advances, catching up with Indie. Nearly at the finish line, she goes off the tracks. Miles can take first place. He slows down, though, and tells his new friend to hop in his car, and they cross the finish line together in second place. Without being heavy-handed, the story shows that winning is not the most important thing. Illustrations are done in block prints and mixed-media collage, using watercolor, ink, and cut paper. They vary from spreads to single pages, with onomatopoeia sprinkled here and there. Endpapers show the layout of the racetrack. The book is easy enough for beginning readers, has pictures large and clear enough for a small read-aloud session, and could be a good discussion starter.—Emily E. Lazio, The Smithtown Special Library District, NY

School Library Journal

★ 2014-03-17
Highly imaginative preschooler Miles is back, this time competing winningly with his friends in a car race. Readers first met Miles in his debut, Miles to Go (2010), in which he "drove" his foot-powered car, Flintstones-style, to his preschool and parked it next to his classmates' rides. This time, the students at his school are taking a race lap around the playground, but there's some stiff competition—new student Indie has a Speedster 660, an electric car. Lined up at the start line, Indie's engine "vroom"s while the other racers tap their feet. Go! From there, onomatopoeia and simple sentences describe the intense action of the race: "Miles takes the lead early. Watch out! Rough track ahead! // Screeeech! Miles escapes the three-car pileup." But these preschoolers seem to be more concerned about being kind than being fast. All cheer; Miles backs up to check on Otto when he spins out; when Indie's car sputters, Miles considers taking the easy win but makes a better choice; the victor shares the prize. Winning is not about being fastest. As in the first book, Harper mixes block prints with mixed-media collage, adding interesting patterns and textures to the illustrations, and a map on both endpapers shows the racecourse around the playground. The charm in Harper's Miles books doesn't get old—children using their imaginations, directing their own play, and showing empathy and kindness for all. What could be better? (Picture book. 3-7)

Kirkus Reviews