Jackson and Bud's Bumpy Ride: America's First Cross-country Automobile Trip

by Elizabeth Koehler-Pentacoff, Wes Hargis (Illustrator)

Dr. Horatio Jackson wasn’t necessarily a betting man. But in 1903, he overheard a stranger saying that it was just not possible to drive across the United States in one of those unreliable, newfangled automobiles. Jackson disagreed - he believed in the future of the automobile. So he made a $50 bet with the man that he could drive a car from San Francisco to New York. Jackson bought a used Winton automobile, hired a mechanic named Crocker, packed some supplies, and adopted Bud, a bulldog who became their mascot. The trio’s only goal was to make it from San Francisco all the way to New York City in one piece. Yet 5,600 miles and 63 1/2 days later, what they actually did was make history. This true story is based on Jackson’s own account of the first automobile trip across the United States.

Find out more about this fascinating story by watching the book
Jackson and Bud's Bumpy Ride Book Elizabeth Koehler-Pentacoff

Genres: Picture Books, Nonfiction, Childrens, History

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2009

Reviews

[Alyssa Bohon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kid's funny picture books meets historical travelogue. Pretty interesting, even if it lacks smooth flow - this is probably because it is kept extremely short to fit a child's attention span. Still felt that we got to taste a little slice of history. 👍

[Deb (Readerbuzz) Nance · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love this story!

In 1903, Dr. Horatio Jackson made a bet that he could drive all the way across the United States in a horseless buggy in less than three months. Jackson hires a mechanic to go along on the ride with him and they set off.

Remember what things were like then? No paved roads. No maps. No gas stations. Maximum speed of 30 mph. Not even a windshield to keep the bugs out of your mouth.

The author chooses to zoom in on the events of several days during the sixty-three day trip. The pictures and the text are hilarious. Here’s a sample:

May 23 – San Francisco, California
“Good-bye! Good luck! Be careful!” shouts Jackson’s wife, Bertha, who will be returning to Vermont by train.

“Don’t worry, my dear,” Jackson pats the car. “This trusty machine will get us there with no troubles at all!” (Picture shows the two men setting off in the tiny car.)

(Turn the page and we see the two men standing next to the car. The wheel is off and the mechanic, Crocker, looks a little bewildered.) About fifteen miles later…Bump, bump, bump, Ka-plooey!

The pictures are a definite plus here.

Love this book!

[IrenesBookReviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Driving a car from San Francisco to New York is a tough trip even today-but in 1903 it was considered downright impossible. There were only 150 miles of paved roads in the whole United States. There were no maps, no repair shops, not even any gas stations. Yet Dr. Horatio Jackson along with his mechanic Crocker and a bulldog named Bud piled themselves into a topless, windowless Winton automobile and set out to make history. This is the true story of how they did it. I enjoyed reading about all they had gone through to get across. There was also some informational pages at the end to help you better study the trip.

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have driven across county from North Carolina to Utah. It was a memorable trip. I did it by myself in my brothers Dodge Diesel engine Truck. He was deployed to Iraq for a year and didn't want his truck just sitting in NC. So, on paved, I-40, doing 65 MPH or so, I drove across county. It was a leisurely trip, I only did about 8 hours a day, stopping at attractions along the way. It had heat and a/c/

Jackson did it in a tin can on wheels, no roof, no a/c no radio or DVD player. Quite an interesting story!

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nominated for a 2011-12 South Carolina Picture Book Award, Jackson and Bud's Bumpy Ride is a great story for teaching young students about the first cross-country auto trip. The afterword at the end of the book is especially helpful in providing factual information from primary sources and suggestions for further reading.

Although this book is excellent, I hesitate to use it for a read-aloud. The timeline nature of the book makes the text a little too choppy for an effective read-aloud.

[Devin L. · Rating 1 out of 5]

This story tells the first account of someone traveling from the west coast to the east coast in a car. Too damn long! I really struggled to get through this book and know that children will struggle as well.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I can imagine this book being used in a classroom to teach geography, and it would be fun for the kids - a car ride across the continent with a goggle-wearing dog as a mascot. A cute, joyously-illustrated book.

[Lucia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great picture book about the first cross-country car trip in America. The pictures are entertaining and the text is interesting, fun and not a sleeper. Fun!!

[Eileen · Rating 4 out of 5]

The wonderful story of a man and a dog who make the first cross country trip in a horseless buugy all for the sake of a bet. Excellent afterword with photographs. Gotta love a dog who wears goggles!

[Mandy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Fun story and illustrations; substantial back matter. The story doesn't flow very smoothly in a couple places.

[Christie Suh · Rating 3 out of 5]

This sttory is about the first account of someone traveling from the west coast to the east coast in a car.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really cute story about the first ever automobile drive across the United States in 1903. Lots of adventures and a cute dog.

[C. · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fun book for both kids and adults. Now I want to read more about this trip (based on a real drive). Great for anyone you know who likes road trips and adventure.