Mama and Me and the Model T

by Faye Gibbons, Ted Rand (Illustrator)

Whoopee! The Searcys and their stepfamily, the Longs, have a brand-new motorcar. And what a glorious time they all have, bouncing down to the spring, rattling past the fields, and joggling a round the barn with Mr. Long behind the wheel. But when he refuses to teach Mama Searcy how to drive, and she decides to take matters into her own hands, everyone had better run for cover. Get ready for the wackiest, wildest ride of your life with Mama and Me and the Model T!

Genres: Picture Books, Historical, Historical Fiction

40 pages, Library Binding

First published October 1, 1999

Reviews

[Nicole Fiene · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mama and Me and the Model T takes readers on a wild adventure as girls show boys that they can do boy things too. The story is about a stepfather who brings home a Model T to his wife, children and stepchildren. The story is told from the point of view of the mother's daughter, who tells the audience all about the exciting day the family has on the farm with the new Model T. After taking the family for a ride in the Model T, the stepfather tells the boys of the family how to work the Model T while the girls stand off to the side and watch. Feeling rebellious, Mama and her daughter jump into the Model T to show the family that cars aren't just for boys.

When I opened the book, the first thing that stuck out to me was the illustrations. They are soft, and warm and appear to be a watercolor medium painted with a paintbrush. The way the pictures were painted really drew my attention in to the story as a reader, thus I really appreciated this aspect of the book. I also enjoyed how throughout the novel, Faye Gibbons and Ted Rand sprinkled action phrases the Model T would make while the family was on their adventure around the farm into the illustrations. Descriptive phrases such as "Rackety-put! Rackety-put!" and "Clangabang-Clangabang-Pow" are just some examples of the descriptive phrases used throughout the piece.

In addition to adding descriptive phrases into the text, Gibbons also uses descriptive words throughout her writing to make the story more thrilling. The adventure Mama takes becomes amusing for everyone in the audience. Furthermore, the author does not use a bitter tone when expressing that girls can do anything boys can do. Faye Gibbons instead makes the story lighthearted using humor and creating a few sticky situations that Mama and the daughter run into while trying to drive the Model T for the first time. All in all, I feel as though this would be a great book to share with students in the lower elementary grades because often times, there is discrimination between what boys can do and what girls can't do, and this fun book helps to eliminate that. It has a great message that is expressed in a joyful way, which makes it an excellent book to share with your students.

[Robyn Simmons · Rating 3 out of 5]

This picture book tells a humerous story about a mother and her children. Their mother is eager to learn how to drive America's first automobile "motorcar" a Model T Ford. She winds up crashing the car after placing it in drive and reverse. Eventually, their mother safely exits the car and overall is grateful for the experience. This story is a great trade book that could serve as an enhancement to textbook information about Ford and the Model T automobile.

[Jerusha Sheffer]

Pretty funny

[Tracy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is just plain fun to read out loud.

[Brittany · Rating 4 out of 5]

Can women be taught how to drive? This is an excellent book on how the woman takes matter in her own hands and teaches herself. Good book to discuss on stereotype of men versus women driving.

[Brianna Crall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great for Greenfield Village prep!

[Leslie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delightful illustrations by Ted Rand. Story of a combined family living on a mountain around the turn of the century.