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Fearless: The Story of Racing Legend Louise Smith
When Louise Smith started racing cars, most girls weren't even allowed to drive. From her first wild adventure behind the wheel of her daddy's Ford to the dangers and thrills of stock-car tracks across the country, Louise fearlessly paved the way for women in racing and became a NASCAR legend! It takes a lot of courage to be the first, but when you fearlessly follow your dreams, anything is possible.
32 pages, Hardcover
Published October 14, 2010
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
July 14, 2021
Fearless: the Story of Racing Legend Louise Smith is a children's picture book written by Barb Rosenstock and illustrated by Scott Dawson. It centers on Louise Smith’s life behind the wheel from getting behind one as a seven-year-old to an elderly lady who still love to drive quickly.
Louise Smith was tied for the second woman to race in NASCAR at the top level. She was known as "The First Lady of Racing".
Rosenstock's text is rather simplistic, straightforward, and informative. Rosenstock's upbeat prose covers the fearless life of Louise Smith. Dawson's gorgeous, light-infused acrylics convey Louise's self-assured nature, while race scenes capture the rush of adrenaline in a blur of glinting metal.
The premise of the book is rather straightforward. Louise Smith never played by the rules, first getting behind the wheel of a car when she was a free-spirited seven-year-old. Her love for driving doesn't stop there, and when, years later, a race promoter is looking for a girl to drive in a race – as a lark, Louise Smith steps up. She places third and starts regularly competing in races, but winning 38 times.
All in all, Fearless: the Story of Racing Legend Louise Smith is a fearless biography of a woman who never played by the rules and became "The First Lady of Racing" in Louise Smith.
Louise Smith was tied for the second woman to race in NASCAR at the top level. She was known as "The First Lady of Racing".
Rosenstock's text is rather simplistic, straightforward, and informative. Rosenstock's upbeat prose covers the fearless life of Louise Smith. Dawson's gorgeous, light-infused acrylics convey Louise's self-assured nature, while race scenes capture the rush of adrenaline in a blur of glinting metal.
The premise of the book is rather straightforward. Louise Smith never played by the rules, first getting behind the wheel of a car when she was a free-spirited seven-year-old. Her love for driving doesn't stop there, and when, years later, a race promoter is looking for a girl to drive in a race – as a lark, Louise Smith steps up. She places third and starts regularly competing in races, but winning 38 times.
All in all, Fearless: the Story of Racing Legend Louise Smith is a fearless biography of a woman who never played by the rules and became "The First Lady of Racing" in Louise Smith.
December 7, 2011
For a first book by both author and illustrator, this is a commendable effort. I love NASCAR auto racing, particularly the lady drivers, but had never heard of Louise Smith until I read this book. I kind of felt sorry for her husband, who looks none too happy in the picture where she's leaving for Daytona, all smiles. On the other hand, according to the text, apparently he knew what he was getting into when he married her! What gives me the heebie jeebies is thinking about those races with NO protective gear or devices aside from a flimsy helmet. These drivers had to be brave. I appreciated the author's note at the end, with a picture of the real Louise Smith and more information about her life. I wish her birth and death dates had been included, however. Nonetheless, Rosenstock's text and Dawson's illustrations make a great combination and tell a story I recommend to race car fans and young ladies who are fearless!
May 8, 2011
LOVE LOVE LOVE this book!!!
Strong female character and car racing! A great book for little girls! Shows them they can do anything they want!
Strong female character and car racing! A great book for little girls! Shows them they can do anything they want!
May 4, 2018
Louse Smith first drove a car when she was seven years old and realized she loved speed. When she grew up she defied the restrictions and limitations on women and became a racing car driver.
Great information and illustrations.
Great information and illustrations.
March 3, 2019
An interesting choice for a first picture book. Certainly not a figure I'd heard of. The text was a little lame. The historical note in the back was pretty good. The art was okay. So not a bad book, but not a great one.
February 7, 2021
Great story and amazing art. Why have we never heard of this woman before??
January 29, 2011
Vrooom! Vrooom! Ladies, start your engines! I confess I didn't know a thing about the first woman race car legend Louise Smith until I read Fearless by Barb Rosenstock. This nonfiction picture book biography is told with gusto. As I was reading the story, my teenage son walked by me and commented on the illustrations. The illustrator, Scott Dawson did a bang-up job infusing color and life into the paintings that made up the book.
I thought the book was a delightful read. Rosenstock managed to sweep over the difficult parts of Louise Smith's life, and portray her as a woman with the courage to follow her dream. This book deserves a place in anyone's collection of biographies for elementary children. I thought the language flowed with a rhythm that takes you to the time and place of Smith's life. The author uses onomatopoeia and repetition to give the text a kick. It's a wonderful little story of overcoming obstacles and perseverance.
The text is short enough to read aloud as a pint sized biography for 2nd - 4th graders. One of my fourth graders is crazy about cars. I handed the book to him, and even though the story is about a woman race car driver instead of a man (and not directly about cars) he gave it two thumbs up. The reading level is mid third grade.
I thought the book was a delightful read. Rosenstock managed to sweep over the difficult parts of Louise Smith's life, and portray her as a woman with the courage to follow her dream. This book deserves a place in anyone's collection of biographies for elementary children. I thought the language flowed with a rhythm that takes you to the time and place of Smith's life. The author uses onomatopoeia and repetition to give the text a kick. It's a wonderful little story of overcoming obstacles and perseverance.
The text is short enough to read aloud as a pint sized biography for 2nd - 4th graders. One of my fourth graders is crazy about cars. I handed the book to him, and even though the story is about a woman race car driver instead of a man (and not directly about cars) he gave it two thumbs up. The reading level is mid third grade.
February 26, 2015
Rosenstock is a "go-to" author for biographical stories about inspiring people. Be sure to read the intro (just before the first page of text) where Rosenstock defines "legacy" and includes a quote from Louise Smith about giving racing her all despite setbacks. Reading the intro and the quote (even projecting the quote) would make for a strong intro to one of the main ideas in this text. In addition, the author's note at the back of the book about Louise Smith could make for additional conversation--ask students to read with a partner or independently (4th grade and up) and discuss and write in response. There's also an author's note "thanks to" about her research which included numerous interviews. This note can launch research writing--which includes not just reading texts, but also interviewing experts and so forth. Rosenstock's book is "based on" her understanding of primary sources. Students could write historical stories "based on" their interpretation of primary sources.
Lots of potential with this one. Rosenstock has written several other biographical stories "based on" her interpretation of primary sources. Her work is worthy of an author study.
Lots of potential with this one. Rosenstock has written several other biographical stories "based on" her interpretation of primary sources. Her work is worthy of an author study.
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April 28, 2015Kelly Wiegand
April 27, 2015
EDL54500 Library Materials for Children and Youth
Title: Fearless: The Story of Racing Legend Louise Smith
Author: Barb Rosenstock
Plot: This biography is about Louise Smith who was one of the first female race car drivers in NASCAR. The story provides details about how she became interested in racing and about her success as a female race car driver.
Setting: Georgia; Race car tracks all over the United States
Characters: Louise Smith
Point-of-View: The story is told in third-person.
Themes: Hard work; Adventure; Courage; Motivation
Style: This story has some repetitive phrases throughout the story.
Copyright: 2010
Reflection: This is a great biography with a strong female subject. It has action and adventure and the repeated phrasing allows students to join in.
April 27, 2015
EDL54500 Library Materials for Children and Youth
Title: Fearless: The Story of Racing Legend Louise Smith
Author: Barb Rosenstock
Plot: This biography is about Louise Smith who was one of the first female race car drivers in NASCAR. The story provides details about how she became interested in racing and about her success as a female race car driver.
Setting: Georgia; Race car tracks all over the United States
Characters: Louise Smith
Point-of-View: The story is told in third-person.
Themes: Hard work; Adventure; Courage; Motivation
Style: This story has some repetitive phrases throughout the story.
Copyright: 2010
Reflection: This is a great biography with a strong female subject. It has action and adventure and the repeated phrasing allows students to join in.
May 17, 2011
This is the story of an amazing woman who refused to listen to society and did her own thing. Louise wanted to race cars at a time when women weren't supposed to even drive cars. Louise races cars during the 1940s and 1950s before NASCAR became the car circuit it is today. She raced, she crashed, and she had the time of her life. The language is exciting. The illustrations suggest speed with every picture just this side of blurry. An author's note at the end of the book provide additional information about Louise. This book will appeal to boys because of the racing but also to girls because of being a female trailblazer. A great story to pair with another female biography such as Sarah Hale or Amelia Earhart.
December 20, 2011
Louise Smith's legacy "is the gift of independence, a heart full of courage, and the chance to prove that being a girl should never stop anyone from going anywhere they want...as far and as fast as they can".
Louise Smith had a love of cars and racing before girls had the opportunity to race... or, for that matter, any of the so-called' male-only jobs or hobbies. She loved going fast and she competed well, much to the chagrin of her husband and family. Broken bones, lost races, or male dominance never stopped her...even well into her 80s.
A beautifully illustrated biography which captures the essence of the time period with care.
Louise Smith had a love of cars and racing before girls had the opportunity to race... or, for that matter, any of the so-called' male-only jobs or hobbies. She loved going fast and she competed well, much to the chagrin of her husband and family. Broken bones, lost races, or male dominance never stopped her...even well into her 80s.
A beautifully illustrated biography which captures the essence of the time period with care.
December 29, 2010
I liked how this book was nonfiction, yet written like a picture book. It's short enough to hold attention of little ones and early elementary school, but contains enough information (and a nicely written author's note) to take away nice facts from the text.
I plan on book talking this to 2nd and 3rd graders hoping to snag some lower level readers as well as reluctant readers. It's rare to find a book about female athletes and even rarer to find one about car racing.
I plan on book talking this to 2nd and 3rd graders hoping to snag some lower level readers as well as reluctant readers. It's rare to find a book about female athletes and even rarer to find one about car racing.
February 25, 2011
Although done in a picture book style, this is a short biography on Louise Smith, the first woman stock car racer to become well known. The illustrations are great eye catchers, plus the cover art does too! A nice short bio at the end of the book gives the reader the extra information they might need for resource information.
March 9, 2011
I love these nonfiction stories of people who did daring things at a daring time who I never knew about! This one is about Louise Smith, a racing legend from the 40s and 50s. Realistic almost photographic-like images follow the story from when she first drives a car at age 7 through her racing career and on until she likes driving for fun. Author's note at the end is useful.
October 15, 2012
Scott Dawson's illustrations transform an adequate relating of the story of pioneering female driver Louise Smith into a page turner. Dawson's Rockwell-esque style and use of color reference the time, but his motion blur is genius, simultaneously capturing the speed for which Louise strove and a nostalgic feel.
October 29, 2010
Louise Smith became one of the first woman professional race car drivers. This brief text will inspire young readers to learn more about the role of women in professional racing. Illustrations bring the time period to life. End papers include a short biography of Smith.
September 17, 2011
Loved the paintings ... so much fun to see the color and time period.
I'd never heard of this racing "legend" but this would be an interesting title to add to a study on leaders and innovators who didn't let prejudice stand in their way.
I'd never heard of this racing "legend" but this would be an interesting title to add to a study on leaders and innovators who didn't let prejudice stand in their way.
September 29, 2011
I don't know how else to explain this other than to say that I really loved this book. It was so well done. From the evident research, to the illustrations, to the mastery of literary craft, this book was a pure joy.
July 9, 2013
Gorgeous illustrations and a great piece of little-known racing history. I met Barb at a children's literature conference and it was interesting to learn about her research and the illustrator's technique.
January 25, 2015
An interesting story about Louise Smith, one of the early car racing women drivers. Louise was a daredevil and loved going fast and was known to be fearless. More information provided at the end of the book as well as sources for creating the story.
October 17, 2010
An appealing introduction to a pioneering woman stock car racer.
October 4, 2011
This is what I love about really well done picture book biographies. They often introduce me to people of whom otherwise I never would have heard. Solid storytelling with great illustrations.
January 6, 2012
Such a great story about a little touched upon part of history - the first women race car drivers!
January 15, 2013
Doing some research for a writing project.
February 3, 2014
Really nicely illustrated biography about the first female NASCAR driver.
August 27, 2016
The story of a young woman who just never could follow the rules. Louise drove as a female race car driver and earned her place amidst the boys.
June 25, 2014
Cool story for Women's history month.
August 6, 2014
Loved the pictures and the story.
September 5, 2015
Great vintage painting illus. this simple tale of a girl who drove fast despite the social constraints on women of the 20th century.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews