Publishers Weekly
12/23/2013
Although it has the whiff of an inspirational speech, this tale by the Reynolds brothers has enough entertainment value to avoid feeling inspid. Rafael is a dedicated instruction-follower, while his neighbor Maya is the dreamy sort: "She was so intent on watching the bird in front of her, and quickly sketching it, that she didn't even notice Rafael." When their teacher gives the class identical "Going Places" go-cart kits for an upcoming contest, Rafael realizes that collaborating with Maya, who envisions a flying machine instead of a car, might help him to victory. Sure enough, they dominate the contest. While the message about outside-the-box thinking is impossible to miss, the book is also an observation about how opposite temperaments can lead to successful collaborations. Still, Maya is a strong figure; Rafael's view of her over the fence as she experiments with a set of geared wings and pedals is an encouraging vision of the "maker" child who prefers crafting things herself to watching them on a screen. Ages 4–8. Agent: Holly McGhee, Pippin Properties. (Mar.)
School Library Journal - Audio
03/01/2015
PreS-Gr 3—Rafael has been waiting all year for the Going Places contest, and he dreams of building the fastest go-kart and winning the race. He takes his kit home, follows all the directions exactly, and assembles a picture-perfect go-kart. When he sees what his free-spirited neighbor Maya builds with her kit, though, Rafael is inspired to team up with her. Together, they combine their pieces and build an airplane, and they soar past their competitors on race day. Paul A. Reynolds's upbeat narration captures the spirit of creativity that is echoed in Peter H. Reynolds's expressive artwork from their picture book (S. & S., 2014). Viewers will enjoy watching Rafael's transformation from a rule-following perfectionist to an outside-the-box thinker as he and Maya make plans for their next big creation. VERDICT This DVD will make a nice addition to units about innovation and invention. It could also supplement an art curriculum.—Anne Bozievich, Friendship Elementary School, Glen Rock, PA
Kirkus Reviews
2014-01-15
Imagination soars—quite literally—when a little girl follows her own set of rules. Every year Oak Hill School has a go-kart race called the Going Places contest. Students are given identical go-kart kits with a precise set of instructions. And of course, every single kart ends up exactly the same. Every one, that is, except Maya's. Maya is a dreamy artist, and she would rather sketch birds in her backyard than get caught up in the competition. When she finally does start working, she uses the parts in the go-kart box but creates something completely different. No one ever said it had to be a go-kart. Maya's creative thinking inspires Rafael, her neighbor (and the most enthusiastic Going Places contestant), to ask to team up. The instructions never say they couldn't work together, either! An ode to creativity and individuality to be sure, but the Reynolds brothers are also taking a swipe at modern education: Endless repetition and following instructions without question create a culture of conformity. Hopefully now, readers will see infinite possibility every time the system hands them an identical go-kart box. Not astonishingly go-out-and-buy-it-at-graduation inspirational, but all it takes is one seed of change to be planted. (Picture book. 4-8)
