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On November 1, 1938, two legendary racehorses geared up for the most exciting horse race in history. Over 40,000 fans packed into Baltimore, Maryland's, Pimlico Race Course to witness Seabiscuit vs. War Admiral. Seabiscuit, the short, stocky underdog and War Admiral, the high-spirited favorite, were running races and breaking track records across the country. However, they had never raced against each other. The two champions were to meet at last at the Pimlico Special.
From: Seabiscuit vs. War Admiral
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The opening page quote above sets the story better than I might hope to do. As first told in the book Seabiscuit: An American Legend and later portrayed on celluloid as Seabiscuit, this 'young reader' book captures this pivotal event in American horse racing history.
This picture book/early reader text, penned by Kat Shehata and illustrated by Jo McElwee, is presented in a wide page format that allows two-page picture spreads that capture the scale of a race track perfectly. Intended for the older beginning/intermediate reader, the pictures and text seem equally balanced, picture at the top of the page, text on the bottom third of the page. The text carries the main message of the book while the pictures serve as colorful highlights of the text.
The book might be thought to be 'semi-instructive'. The opening pages feature a simplistic view of a race track with labels placed for 'grandstand', 'backstretch', 'finish', etc.. A glossary at the end of the book lists 70-some terms related to the sport of horse racing. While it is a story about a horse race there is no emphasis on the gambling side of the sport.
Another closing page addresses the charitable activities of the NTRA Charities, a non-profit subsidiary of the National Thoroughbred Racing Association, NTRA.
The text has a simple, basic noun..verb..object structure that, while not too challenging, should hold the interest of the younger reader. A sample:
War Admiral was the best horse in the East and Seabiscuit was the best horse in the West. Race fans were anxious for the two champions to meet. The horses' owners decided to make the dream a reality. They agreed to arrange a one-on-one horse race, called a match race. . . .Howard agreed to begin the race with a starting bell. He had one condition, too. The track had to be 'fast,' or dry. Seabiscuit did not run well in the mud
The wide two page spreads are used effectively throughout the book. An early picture shows a hand up-close, holding a souvenir race sheet while the crowd, track and horses stretch away into the distance. (This image is available on Amazon dot com. Go ahead, click that link over there!)
Another two page spread shows Seabiscuit crossing the finish line first, ready to 'run off the page' to the right. While War Admiral's head, neck and front legs are just now visible (way over there!) at the left edge of the left hand page. The swirling colors rendered in . . .oil?, pencil? give the feel of motion and speed. It is a clever image that captures the feeling of just how far behind (and beaten!) War Admiral, his jockey, and his owners must have felt.
The Bottom Line
Obviously not a book that can capture either the depth or emotion of the seminal book or follow-up movie, Seabiscuit Vs War Admiral: The Greatest Horse Race in History serves as a good introduction to this particular historical event and the sport of horse racing in general for the younger reader.
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Certified 'Lean-n-mean III' review. Please feel free to test your own 'lean-n-mean' review-writing skills!
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"Just the facts, ma'am"
Title:Seabiscuit Vs War Admiral: The Greatest Horse
Race in History
Author: Kat Shehata
Illustrator: Jo McElwee
Publisher: Angela Bea Publishing
Copyright: 2003 by Shehata / McElwee
Pages: 32 pages
ISBN #: 0-9717843-1-0
Ages recommended: 8-12 y/o
Reference websites:
www.seabiscuitvswaradmiral.com
www.ntra.com
Recommended:
