Families who loved Bertha Takes a Drive by written and illustrated by Jan Adkins often look for books with a similar feel. These 20 recommendations were selected for their similarity in style, theme, and reading level.
Reach for this book when your child expresses frustration with a project that is not working or when they need to see that big ideas require bold, practical action. It follows Bertha Benz as she takes her husband's invention on its first long distance journey, proving to the world (and her husband) that the automobile was more than a fragile toy. It is a story of grit, technical problem solving, and quiet confidence. This book is perfect for elementary aged children, particularly those who love to see how machines function. Beyond the history of the car, it explores themes of resilience and the importance of advocating for one's own vision. Parents will appreciate how it highlights a woman's foundational but often overlooked role in engineering history, making it an excellent choice for fostering a growth mindset and an interest in STEM.
