Gretchen Asks, "How Do Cars Work?"
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This is me, Gretchen, drawing my cat, Lucy. Lucy is my best friend. She has green eyes like me and her brown fur matches my hair. We both love to explore and go on adventures. We always find something new. Since I don’t understand how everything works yet, I ask my parents lots of questions. They are engineers, so they like to help me find the answers I need.
One day Lucy and I decided to go for a bike ride. My mom ALWAYS says to be careful in the driveway so I do not scratch the car. As I slowly pedaled past the car I noticed the wheels on my bike looked a lot like the wheels on the car. I knew what made the wheels on my bike turn, but how did a car’s wheels turn? I thought maybe my mom would know since she drove the car. So I asked, “Mom, how does a car work?”
“Well, just like your bike, a car needs power and energy to turn the wheels,” my mom explained. “You provide the power for your bike by pushing the pedals with your legs and feet. A car needs much more power so it can carry heavy loads and many people. An engine is required to do enough work to make the car move.”
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About the Book
Gretchen is a seven-year-old girl who loves to explore the world around her. Her best friend and cat, Lucy, joins her on her many adventures. Together they always find new things to learn about. In this story, Gretchen wonders what makes the wheels of a car turn. Her mother explains how power for the car is made. They will discover that a car works a lot like a bike. Join Gretchen and Lucy as they learn how a car works.
About the Author
Angel Neuschwander has a B.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering. She is currently a full-time mom to two children, Gretchen and Max. She worked in the field of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning design for twelve years. Although not currently employed as an engineer, she uses her knowledge of how things work to answer her children's many questions.
Becky Johnston has an Associate of Arts degree in Art and a B.S. degree in Accounting and Business. She is a pastor’s wife and has used her artistic talents in their church ministry for over 36 years.