Car Smarts: Hot Tips for the Car Crazy

Steve Pitt is a Toronto-based freelance writer and an award-winning journalist. He has written many young adult and children's books, including Day of the Flying Fox: The True Story of World War II Pilot Charley Fox.

Who made the world’s first “smart car”? Why did Welsh police fine
people who were fuelling their cars with french-fry grease? What makes
that “new car smell,” and is it harmful to your health? These are
just a few of the fascinating things you will read about in this book by
veteran automotive author Phil Edmonston and children’s librarian
extraordinaire Maureen Sawa. This is Sawa’s first book, and it is a
first-class debut.

The book is divided into six chapters: “Car History 101,” “How a
Car Works,” “Car Design: From Function to Style,” “What Makes a
Good Car?” and “Cars of Tomorrow—Today.” Each chapter is jammed
with car facts, historical anecdotes, period photos, and illustrations
by award-winning illustrator Gordon Sauvé. Despite the technical nature
of the subject, the text carries the reader along effortlessly with its
combination of humour and impressive depth of knowledge. Edmonston’s
Bad Car/Good Car tips are a must-read for any car buyer.

Car Smarts is a great introduction for any car-struck youngster, but it
is also an enjoyable read for adults who do not know their ASB from
their CAD. A glossary and an index are included at the back. Highly
recommended.