Ask two children to settle almost anything — who gets the front seat, who reaches the mailbox, whose shoes are faster — and it turns into a race. It is the oldest plot in the library: a start, a finish, and a stretch of trouble in between where somebody gets cocky and somebody just keeps going. The vehicles change from one shelf to the next, from hot rods and pinewood derby cars to sled runners, roller skates, homing pigeons and bare feet, but the shape of the story does not, which is why a three-year-old and a twelve-year-old can both tell you exactly what a finish line is for.
Bookroo’s collection of 237 racing books runs the whole course: board books built for engine noise and counting down to go, picture books about pit crews, hares who nap, sled dogs who will not quit and a boy learning to fly pigeons in a strange country, and chapter books where the prize is a farm, a trophy, or the chance to stop running from something. Start with our fourteen favorites below, then follow the age shelves — first words and first vrooms for toddlers, real races and honest losses for the picture-book years, and chapters for readers who can go the full distance alone.
The lights go green, the track curves away, and a very small driver has one lap to get it right.
A very small driver builds a car out of junkyard parts, then lines it up against a field of very large dogs.
A champion driver has never lost a race, and then a friend turns up with her own car.
The fastest animal alive announces he cannot possibly lose, which is exactly when a pack of kittens starts scheming.
A runner defies polio to win Olympic gold.
A boy who has just moved to a strange valley learns to send birds up into the sky and wait for them to find their way home.
Dead last with one lap to go, a driver in a tiara is advised to give up — and declines.
A slow tortoise challenges a swift hare, proving that perseverance triumphs over arrogance.
A determined sled dog defies the rules to rejoin her team in a grueling race.
Can friendship outpace competition in a cycling race?
A scout's derby race becomes a test of teamwork versus independence.
A boy races to save his farm, facing an undefeated rival in a high-stakes dogsled race.
A girl navigates friendship and self-discovery through the challenges of roller derby and junior high.
A young sprinter must outrun his past to achieve greatness on the track team.
Sturdy first books for revving, counting down, and shouting go: race cars, monster trucks, checkered flags, and lots of noise. Ages 0–3.
A Halloween monster truck race with a surprising twist awaits.
Mater's fun leads to chaos, but can Lightning McQueen save the day?
Join a safari adventure with wild animals in a sturdy, interactive board book.
Experience the thrill of race day and discover the secrets of speedy pit stops.
Creatures race for glory in the Silver Serpent Cup.
Cars race to the finish line. Who will win?
Steer your way to victory in a thrilling race car adventure.
A vibrant race unfolds. Who will emerge victorious?
Blaze races through the desert to find a hidden racetrack and outsmart a cheating rival.
Engines roar, tires screech, and the race to the finish line begins. Who will claim victory?
A race with friends takes a surprising turn. Who will win?
Steer your way to victory in a thrilling race against speedy rivals.
Fairy-tale grand prix, tortoises and hares, Iditarod sled teams, racing pigeons, and the hard business of coming in second. Ages 3–8.
Pea Junior races to the Pea Bowl with support from family and friends.
Join a race where small acts of kindness change the world.
A classroom pet hamster gets to experience a fun weekend at a student's house and later participates in a hamster car race at school
A group of racers compete in the Super Cup Grand Prix to win the Super Cup and the power of super speed.
In 1901, a daring race could fund Ford's dream car.
A slow tortoise races a fast hare with unexpected results.
A girl defies norms, conquering skies and racetracks.
Boris races to win but must choose between victory and friendship.
Discover the thrilling world of monster trucks as they jump, race, and crush everything in their path.
A reluctant runner faces a mean teammate on Field Day. Can she overcome her fears?
Hamster races downhill in a homemade car. Can he win?
A tiny car races against giants. Can it claim victory in a thrilling contest?
Pinewood derbies, dogsled runs, horse tracks, roller derby bouts, and the middle school track team, for independent readers ages 6–12.
A race against time to save a hero from deadly sabotage.
A new rival's cheating threatens Matt's racing dreams.
A young racer faces older rivals and unexpected challenges in a new karting class.
A fairy's sledding race against a troll decides the fate of peppermint sticks.
A scrappy racehorse defies odds to become a national hero during the Great Depression.
Can the Thea Sisters solve a mystery before the Summer Olympics begin?
A perilous race for rare peppers tests Geronimo's survival skills. Can he win without going extinct?
A young bird is forced to participate in a treacherous desert adventure race to save his family's legacy
A young Thoroughbred horse's life is forever changed when he is claimed by a new owner, a young girl and her father, a former jockey, who help him recover from his injuries and find a new purpose in life.
A musher races through the wilderness, hiding her impaired vision.
A group of friends must work together to win a car race against a monster.
Father and son race against time to outsmart a villain and clear a name.
