Berta Benz and the Motorwagen: The Story of the First Automobile Journey

by Mindy Bingham, Itoko Maeno (Illustrator)

Recounts the story of the first automobile journey, made by Berta Benz and her two teenage sons in 1888.

43 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 1989

Reviews

[Mimia The Reader · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars
The story was okay and the pictures lovely. I didn´t need the "women can do anything and can be even better than men" preaching which felt condescending and was unnecessary.

[Sophie Smekens]

(I did not read this book, but a libretto on Berta Benz. I’ll be damned if I don’t find a way to log every libretto I’ve spent time reading lol)

[Alfajirikali · Rating 2 out of 5]

The concept of the book is great; especially the last page which uses the quote: "Encourage your daughters to get dirty, take things apart, get involved and challenge the question as well as the answer" atrributed to Ellen Wahl, Director of Operation S M A R T (Science Math and Relevant Techlolgy Girls Clubs of America, Inc.).

But it was told in a didactic and tedious manner, simply--it wasn't fun to read.

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Berta Benz decides to take her children on a trip to her mother's house in one of her husband's prototypes to prove that automobiles are, in fact, more then just a gimmick. Without his knowledge. This is another one that I was surprised Moira wanted to read, but we broke it up into a couple of sittings, so that likely helped.