Author Beth Bacon Hits the Open Road With New Book on Route 66, Accompanied by a Curated List of Family Road Trip Favorites and a Special Giveaway

Children’s book author Beth Bacon is hitting the open road with her newest release, Route 66: Faces and Places Along America’s Most Famous Road. Known for crafting engaging and accessible literature for young readers, Bacon’s latest venture steers away from the traditional classroom setting and invites families on a historical and cultural journey down America’s legendary highway, often affectionately referred to as "the Mother Road."

To celebrate the book’s launch, Bacon has collaborated with fellow author and college classmate for a special feature highlighting not only her new publication but also a curated list of exceptional picture books centered around cars, travel, and adventure. In addition, an exclusive giveaway is underway, offering readers a chance to win a copy of Route 66 signed and personalized by Bacon herself.

Exploring the History and Heart of Route 66

In Route 66: Faces and Places Along America’s Most Famous Road, published by Reedypress, young readers are taken on a vibrant trip spanning from Chicago to Los Angeles. Rather than focusing solely on geography, the book introduces children to the everyday heroes, dreamers, artists, and athletes whose lives and passions helped shape Route 66 into one of the most recognized and beloved thoroughfares in the world.

Packed with fascinating historical tidbits, the book aims to spark curiosity in young travelers. Among the included historical facts is the revelation that the very first gasoline station in the United States was established along Route 66—a notable shift from an era when motorists had to purchase fuel directly out of local hardware stores.

Bacon brings a wealth of educational background and a passion for literacy to her writing. Holding an MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults from CalArts/VCFA, an MA in Communication from New York University, and a BA in Literature from Harvard University, Bacon has authored approximately a dozen books for young readers. Her extensive body of work includes the perennial favorite I Hate Reading, published by HarperCollins, which examines the reading experience from the humorous viewpoint of children who find daily reading requirements tedious. When she is not writing children’s books, Bacon teaches writing at Maryville University. Having grown up in New England and lived across six states and three different countries, her global perspective and adventurous spirit consistently inform her mission to make reading fun and accessible for every child.

Celebrating Travel and Adventure Through Picture Books

To honor the launch of Route 66, Bacon has curated a collection of her favorite picture books that capture the spirit of travel, exploration, and family road trips. These selected titles span various styles, age groups, and narrative approaches, offering something for both young children and the adults reading alongside them.

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

Creating a rhyming picture book that appeals equally to children and adults is no small feat, but author Lori Degman and illustrator Dave Szalay achieve this balance in Travel Guide For Monsters. The book is designed to be a delightful read-aloud experience, featuring catchy rhymes and visually engaging illustrations that capture the attention of young listeners.

In the story, readers encounter a different monster stationed at various iconic landmarks across the United States. One of the standout stops on this cross-country adventure takes place in San Francisco. The text humorously warns, "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 might feel a bit queasy, readers typically respond with loud laughter. The book is recommended for ages 5 and up.

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

Offering a unique historical perspective, Road Trip! Camping with Four Vagabonds provides an entertaining narrative that appeals to multiple generations for different reasons. Children are introduced to the comforting theme that individuals with vastly different approaches to life can maintain lifelong friendships. For instance, the narrative highlights how Henry Ford loved strict routines while Thomas Edison preferred to ignore them.

The rich, quirky illustrations are filled with intricate details designed to captivate a child’s imagination. Meanwhile, adult readers gain a fascinating glimpse into the genuine camaraderie shared by four historic figures, shedding light on lesser-known aspects of their lives—such as the inventor of the lightbulb’s deep love for camping. The book is recommended for ages 7 and up.

Are We There Yet? by Dan Santat

Authored and illustrated by Dan Santat, Are We There Yet? serves as a celebration of pure creativity. The book explores a universal question familiar to anyone who has taken a long journey with children: What happens when your brain becomes too bored?

Rather than a standard linear narrative, Santat literally instructs readers to flip the book upside down. Alongside the main character, readers are propelled backward in time and across continents. The story evolves into an exploration of patience, curiosity, and time travel, touching upon eras from the age of dinosaurs to a future filled with robots. Designed for ages 4 and up, the book functions less like a traditional story and more like an immersive interactive experience.

Along A Long Road by Frank Viva

Told through charming, pun-adjacent language, Along A Long Road recounts a far-flung bicycle trip using minimalist yet poetic phrasing, featuring recurring motifs like "along a long road" and "around a round bend."

The spare storytelling is complemented by a sophisticated yet accessible visual style. The graphics are bold, colorful, witty, and whimsical, creating a reading experience that is both visually striking and linguistically playful. Recommended for ages 3 and up, the book captures a distinct sense of wonder.

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

While many are familiar with aviation pioneers like Amelia Earhart, fewer children may know the story of Alice Ramsey, the first female motorist to drive an automobile across the United States. Alice Across America chronicles the true story of Ramsey’s determined journey behind the wheel of a roll-top car from New York to California during the early decades of the 20th century.

Demonstrating remarkable resourcefulness, Ramsey overcomes flat tires, deep mud pools, unpredictable weather, barren wilderness, and widespread skepticism to achieve her goal. The biography is recommended for readers ages 5 and up.

Let’s Go For A Drive by Mo Willems

Preparing for a long journey often involves a frantic checklist to ensure everything necessary is packed. In the early reader title Let’s Go For A Drive, beloved characters Elephant and Piggie tackle this exact dilemma.

Young readers will enjoy watching Gerald and his porcine best friend gather an array of travel essentials, including a map, sunglasses, an umbrella, and a suitcase. However, a comical realization hits when they check for an actual car. Mo Willems utilizes a sing-song call-and-response dialogue style that naturally encourages preschoolers to participate in the storytelling process. The book is recommended for early readers ages 3 and up.

Giveaway Details

To mark the publication of Route 66: Faces and Places Along America’s Most Famous Road, a special giveaway is currently underway. Beth Bacon has offered to sign and personalize copies of the book for the winners’ chosen recipients.

Participants interested in entering the giveaway are invited to leave a comment. Due to shipping limitations, entries are restricted to mailing addresses within the United States and APO locations. Further updates, author information, and related literary content can be found by exploring additional children’s book resources and following updates from the author’s official channels.