There is Chase who is a black race car. There is Ace who is a white race car.
They have been best friends for a long time, loving to race. They have been training to enter a world famous race and are finally old enough to enter.
Chase comes first! Ace is really happy for him.
They loved to race and did not care about place.
But the organising committee were NOT happy. How did a black car win the race without the best tyres and motor?
Next year friends Chase and Ace lined up to race. This time Chase’s track is different to Ace’s track.
Chase still did well, but wondered later on why he wasn’t allowed to use the same bridge as Ace? Was something wrong with him?
Next year’s race was different again and Chase doesn’t place. The new rules say, no place, no race.
Chase feels terrible, and finally someone called Grace is brave enough to speak out. Why are there different rules for Chase than Ace?
When Ace discovers the real reason Chase didn’t place in last year’s race, he finally learns the truth.
On first reading, this book made me angry. It is written so cleverly with rhyme and action and friendship, and blatant prejudice and racism underneath. The author is a psychotherapist, specialising in providing anti-racist psychotherapy to children. She is also passionate about helping adults, particularly white adults.
The race car theme is attractive and exciting and will capture children’s interest on reading but then goes deeper every time Chase does better than Ace. The white Committee Cars don’t like it and do everything in their power to stop Chase’s success, even though he is the undoubtedly the best race car.
There are tips in the front of the book on how to read Race Cars with children and more in depth discussion notes at the back of the book.
Author – Jenny Devenny
Illustrator – Charnaie Gordon
Picture Book – Age 6+
(2021, Allen & Unwin, Cars, Racing, Friendship, Self Esteem, Feelings, Unfairness, Cheating, Racism, Prejudice, Staying Silent, Speaking up, Injustice, Bullies, Rules, Change the Goalposts)