Freddy's Day at the Races

Item Detail

1. Overview
2. About the Author
3. Book Review

• Overview

  It’s Regatta Day in St. John’s and Freddy is very excited.  Dressed in his favourite pirate’s suit, he and his mom go down to Quidi Vidi Lake.  Suddenly Freddy starts running!  Why is he racing away?  Will his mom catch him?  Join Freddy and discover all the wonderful sights, sounds and flavours of a day at the races.

• About the Author

  Susan Chalker Browne

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  Susan Chalker Browne has authored nine books for children, as well as numerous short stories and columns. Awards include Canadian Children’s Book Centre “Our Choice” selection (Goodness Gracious, Gulliver Mulligan; Thomas Doucet—Hero of Plaisance) Editor’s Choice, Juvenile Fiction, December/January 2009, CBRA Canadian Children’s Literature (The Land of a Thousand Whales); Best 2008 Picture Books, Resource Links Magazine (Freddy’s Day at The Races); Finalist, 2008 History and Heritage Award (The Land of a Thousand Whales); Honourable Mention, 2008 Cuffer Prize Short Story Competition. Susan’s latest book, Freddy’s Hockey Hero, was released in Fall 2010

  

• Book Review

  This energetic picture book cleverly incorporates Regatta Day trivia onto every second page. Along with seeing the Regatta Day activities through Freddy's eyes, readers will learn some background history about the Regatta including the years the Regatta was cancelled, the crews that participated in the past, famous visitors to the Regatta, and a course record.
  The pastel and digital illustrations in Freddy's Day at the Races are bright and lively. Children will be looking for Freddy in his pirate's hat as he races through the crowds and off the page. They might also notice a certain white bird that seems to be enjoying himself on Regatta Day as well. But perhaps the best illustrations in this book are of all the individual people in the crowds and the big puffs of cotton candy.
  This story, which is filled with so any descriptive words and well-documented illustrations, will bring a little bit of the Royal St. John's Regatta to young readers wherever they may be. The colours, the sights, and the words just scream summer fun!

  -Tanya Boudreau, Resource Links
  
  

  In Freddy's Day at the Races, Susan Chalker Browne tells an amusing tale that includes many of the sights, sounds, and experiences of a day at the Royal St. John's Regatta.
  The colourful and amusing illustrations by HildaRose provide an entertaining look at the scenes surrounding the races.
  Besides the entertaining story of Freddy and his mom, the book also contains an educational feature. On each two-page spread there is an image of a ticket stub, resembling those used for the concessions. Each stub has information and trivia facts about the Royal St. John's Regatta printed on it, providing background information for the reader.
  This book is a wonderful addition to the body of children's literature that promotes the cultural background of Newfoundland and Labrador.
  

  -Stella Walsh, Suite 101.com
  
  

  The writing is brilliant and easy for a child to follow, along with the illustrations that paint a helpful picture, which describes the Regatta to a tee. Another detail, which makes this book appealing, is that on every page there is a little fact about the Regatta's history. These facts say things like "The Royal St. John's Regatta is the oldest organized sporting event in North America."
  Overall the book is a fantastic tribute (to) an amazing event that has lasted many years, and hopefully parents will also find its facts just as interesting as I have.
  

  -Brittany Baker, The Aurora