Never Ever Build a Soapbox Car!: Building Perseverance to Run the Race

by Travis D. Peterson, Chelsea Tornetto, Lee Dixon (Illustrator)

Does your child give up the moment things get challenging? You want kids who persevere through obstacles, who learn that finishing what they start matters more than instant success. But finding books that actually inspire this kind of stick-with-it determination feels impossible.

Meet the siblings whose simple building project turned into an all-out racing adventure.From award-winning author Travis D. Peterson (Ada and the Helpers) comes Never Ever Build a Soapbox Car!—the second book in the Never Ever Build a... Collection where Brother and Sister's DIY project transforms into an epic gravity-powered race that teaches kids what it means to give it all you've got.

Why kids and parents love this Irresistible Chain Reaction Using a similar structure as If You Give a Mouse a Cookie, each building challenge leads to the next solution. Need wheels? Find an old bicycle! Then you need a cockpit. Don't forget a steering wheel! Before long, their homemade gravity racer has flames, a wheelie bar, and a ramp for the ultimate test.

Perfect for Ages 3-8: At approximately 100 words, the rhythmic "But when you do..." pattern makes this easy to read aloud while introducing engineering vocabulary and building momentum toward an exciting finish.

Visual Lee Dixon's playful artwork shows the children's stuffed bear becoming their racing competitor in their imaginations, and everyday household items transforming into essential engineering components.

Inspiring The reverse psychology title gets kids giggling while the escalating challenges keep them engaged. Underneath the powerful messaging about perseverance, creative problem-solving, and seeing projects through to completion.

For Both Boys and This STEM-inspired adventure celebrates creativity and determination for all kids. Sister wears cochlear implants throughout the story, naturally representing hearing differences.

Real-World Discover the surprising history of soapbox racing from Germany in 1904 to the modern All-American Soap Box Derby. Plus, a biblical connection to Elijah racing (and winning!) against a king's chariot, with encouragement to "run their race" with courage and endurance (1 Corinthians 9:24).

What You Screen-free inspiration that has kids building before you finish readingSTEM concepts introduced naturally through engineering challengesCharacter development around perseverance and not giving upPerfect for family activities and rainy day projectsThe bottom If your kids struggle with finishing what they start, they're missing opportunities to build perseverance that serves them for life. If they default to passive entertainment, they're losing the confidence that comes from creating and problem-solving.

Part of the Never Ever Build a... Collection. Each book follows Brother and Sister as ordinary projects become extraordinary adventures! Start with Never Ever Build a Blanket Fort! or jump into this racing adventure—each stands alone.

Ready to inspire stick-with-it determination? Order today and prepare for questions about building ramps and racing stuffed animals.

Kindle Edition

Published November 4, 2025

About the author

Travis D. Peterson is the founder and creative director of Launch Mission Creative, where he coaches indie authors and leads a team specializing in book design. Backed by a Computer Graphics degree from Purdue University and 20+ years of experience in design and self-publishing, plus multiple awards as both a designer and author, Travis helps authors find clarity, gain confidence, and achieve success with uplifting, lifegiving children’s books. Travis and his family have two places on separate continents they call home: Wilmington, North Carolina, USA, and Øygarden, Norway.