7 Road Trip Picture Books & Signed Book GIVEAWAY!

Executive Overview

In the realm of children’s literature, few accomplishments match the ability to turn educational milestones into shared moments of joy, laughter, and discovery. Today, we celebrate a special guest author feature welcoming children’s book author and college classmate, Beth Bacon. Known for her perennial favorite, I Hate Reading—a brilliant, lighthearted look at the world from the perspective of kids exhausted by the daily 20-minute reading requirement—Bacon has carved out a unique space as a champion for reluctant readers and young adventurers alike.

Bacon’s newest literary journey swaps the traditional classroom setting for the open road with the release of her latest book, Route 66: Faces and Places Along America’s Most Famous Road. Published by Reedypress, this vibrant picture book takes young readers on a fact-filled, cross-country expedition from Chicago to Los Angeles. Along the way, it introduces children to the everyday heroes, dreamers, artists, and athletes who shaped "The Mother Road" into a global cultural touchstone.

To mark the launch of this exciting book, a special giveaway is underway. Readers have the opportunity to win a copy of Route 66: Faces and Places Along America’s Most Famous Road, personally signed and inscribed by Beth Bacon to the reader(s) of their choice. To complement this celebratory release, Bacon has curated a phenomenal reading list of her favorite picture books focused on cars, travel, and the boundless spirit of family adventure.

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Detailed Chronology: From Academic Roots to the Mother Road

Beth Bacon’s path to becoming a celebrated children’s author is rooted in a lifelong dedication to communication, literature, and education. With an impressive academic background—including a BA in Literature from Harvard University, an MA in Communication from New York University, and an MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults from CalArts/VCFA—Bacon has dedicated her career to making reading accessible and entertaining for children.

After growing up in New England, Bacon’s adventurous spirit led her to live across six states and three different countries. Today, she passes on this wealth of knowledge by teaching writing at Maryville University while continuing to craft engaging stories for young readers.

The Evolution of Bacon’s Work

The Reluctant Reader Champion: With titles like I Hate Reading, Bacon captured the hearts of families by validating the frustrations children often feel regarding structured reading mandates, turning a chore into an interactive, humorous dialogue.
Expanding Horizons: Moving away from indoor school environments, Bacon’s latest venture turns its gaze outward. Route 66: Faces and Places invites families to explore American history, geography, and human resilience through the lens of a historic road trip.

Readers looking to bring home a piece of this journey can enter the exclusive giveaway by leaving a comment on the author feature. (Note: Giveaway fulfillment is restricted to U.S. and APO addresses.)

Supporting Context & Metrics: A Curated Guide to Road Trip Picture Books

To celebrate the launch of Route 66, Beth Bacon has assembled a handpicked collection of picture books that capture the magic of travel, exploration, and imagination. These titles offer something for both kids and adults, making them ideal companions for family road trips.

1. Travel Guide For Monsters by Lori Degman, illustrated by Dave Szalay

Target Audience: Ages 5 and up
Overview: Crafting a rhyming picture book that appeals equally to children and adults is no small feat, but author Lori Degman and illustrator Dave Szalay pull it off effortlessly. Travel Guide for Monsters is a read-aloud triumph that places various monsters in iconic locations across the United States.
Memorable Stop: A hilarious stop in San Francisco, highlighted by the line: "When riding on a cable car, your monster should be cautious. The ups and downs of Frisco hills can make a monster nauseous." While the monster may feel sick, readers will be laughing out loud.

2. Road Trip! Camping with Four Vagabonds: Thomas Edison, Henry Ford, Harvey Firestone, and John Burroughs by Claudia Friddell, illustrated by Jeremy Holmes

Target Audience: Ages 7 and up
Overview: This biographical picture book appeals to multiple generations for entirely different reasons. Children are comforted by the core message that individuals with starkly different approaches to life—such as Henry Ford, who loved strict routines, versus Thomas Edison, who happily ignored them—can remain lifelong friends. Meanwhile, adults are treated to a fascinating historical look at an unexpected circle of famous innovators who loved escaping into the great outdoors.

3. Are We There Yet? by Dan Santat

Target Audience: Ages 4 and up
Overview: A true celebration of creativity and boredom-busting imagination, Dan Santat’s Are We There Yet? explores what happens when a child’s brain simply gets too restless during a long trip. Readers literally flip the book upside down, embarking on an epic journey that spans time and space—from the age of dinosaurs to futuristic robots. It is less of a traditional storybook and more of a tactile, immersive experience.

4. Along A Long Road by Frank Viva

Target Audience: Ages 3 and up
Overview: Telling the simple story of an expansive bicycle trip, Frank Viva utilizes clever, pun-adjacent phrasing such as "along a long road" and "around a round bend." Paired with bold, colorful, and sophisticated graphic design, this book is both visually stunning and delightfully whimsical.

5. Alice Across America by Sarah Glenn Marsh, illustrated by Gilbert Ford

Target Audience: Ages 5 and up
Overview: While many know the story of Amelia Earhart, fewer children are familiar with Alice Ramsey, the pioneering woman who became the first female to drive a car across the United States. Driving a roll-top automobile from New York to California in the early 20th century, Ramsey faced flat tires, muddy tracks, harsh weather, and endless naysayers without ever losing sight of her goal.

6. Let’s Go For A Drive by Mo Willems

Target Audience: Early reader, ages 3 and up
Overview: In this classic Elephant & Piggie adventure, Gerald and his porcine best friend prepare for an epic road trip by gathering all the essentials: a map, sunglasses, an umbrella, and a suitcase. But as preschoolers quickly realize during this call-and-response read-aloud, the duo forgot one minor detail—an actual car!

Official Statements & Historical Insights

Route 66 holds a legendary place in American folklore, often referred to affectionately as "The Mother Road." Bacon’s book not only highlights the scenic route from Chicago to Los Angeles but also uncovers fascinating historical tidbits designed to spark young curiosities.

Did You Know? The first-ever dedicated gas station in the United States was established along Route 66. Prior to its invention, motorists had to purchase their gasoline out of hardware stores.
Everyday Heroes: Beyond the asphalt and neon signs, Bacon’s work focuses heavily on the human element—spotlighting the dreamers, artists, and athletes whose grit built communities along America’s most famous highway.

Future Outlook: Inspiring the Next Generation of Readers and Travelers

As modern families navigate busy schedules filled with digital distractions, authors like Beth Bacon provide an essential anchor back to the printed page and the physical world. By blending historical education with playful storytelling, books like Route 66: Faces and Places Along America’s Most Famous Road encourage children to look out the window, ask questions about the world around them, and embrace the joy of reading.

Whether through exploring historical figures like Alice Ramsey, camping with Thomas Edison and Henry Ford, or simply laughing along with Mo Willems’ unforgettable characters, today’s young readers have a wealth of literary adventures awaiting them on the horizon.