Star Review
Reading Aloud: The Greatest Race

Titled The Greatest Race, The Record-Breaking Win of the 1955 Mille Miglia, penned by Dwight T. Knowlton in collaboration with Sir Stirling Moss and published by Carpe Viam Productions, this is Knowlton’s second in an ongoing series of children’s books.

Chock full of automotive visuals, this story will enrapt children of any age, especially if they love cars. The Greatest Race relates the story of the legendary Mercedes-Benz No. 722 racecar that ran the 1955 Mille Miglia race. Knowlton uses pictures and brief text to tell the exciting and sometimes intense story of driver Moss (later knighted by Queen Elizabeth II) and co-driver Denis “Jenks” Jenkinson, who won the race with record-setting times that have never been broken. Both the 722 car and stories of the race are legendary.

Knowlton’s books are designed to be shared: When an adult reads to a child perched on the lap, they bond as they discover a passion for automobiles together. Young children love the touch and feel of books, and turning pages becomes a part of that bond. Knowlton’s vivid drawings tell the story, making each page come alive. Readers can hear the roar of the racecars, smell the hot brakes and feel the g-forces as the cars round the turns as they read the engine sounds aloud. “Err-Rrrr-Rrrt. BrrrrmmMMM, BrrrrmmMMM!!!” and “Vrrmmm. Vrrrrmm. VRRRRMMMMM!” will engage listeners and readers alike.

Don’t expect a happy-go-lucky story; the written word, just a sentence or two per page, tells the factual story of running the Mille Miglia, with both triumphs and challenges. Knowlton has re-created drawings from original documents giving the reader the feel of actually being at the race, showing racecars and racers as they were in 1955.

The Greatest Race follows The Little Red Racing Car, Knowlton’s story about a red Maserati also driven by Moss. These books establish a series of children’s books that tell about cars from different countries. Future works are planned about a Porsche and a Jaguar. Word on the street is we’ll start to see stories about girls and their love for cars, as Knowlton now has a daughter with whom to share his automotive passion.

Knowlton is an MBCA member and creator of the Carpe Viam brand and its “Seize the Road” philosophy.  In addition to books, he has a signature line of T-shirts and accessories that you and any little racer will want to wear while reading these stories.

Knowlton’s books are produced and printed in the United States. You can purchase his books, T-shirts and other accessories that make story time come alive on his website at carpegear.com.                                               William West Hopper