Race to the Finish is a tour de force of imagination, education, and entertainment. It is a masterfully crafted fusion of scientific inquiry and narrative structure, presented through the unconventional lens of a televised animal design competition. Each animal contestant presents a transport innovation inspired by its own evolutionary design, emphasizing how much nature has to teach

Donnelly’s writing strikes a rare balance—it’s light on its feet, yet grounded in scientific precision. She distilled complex engineering concepts—drag coefficients, and aerodynamic structures— into an accessible and engaging format, without compromising on technical integrity or reader engagement.

Misa Saburi’s illustrations hum with expression and precision, grounding big ideas in playful, precise drawings. The panel of shark judges (each with a personality more flamboyant than the last) keeps the energy zipping forward, and the offstage banter provide delightful comic relief between pitches.

The winning design, while impressive and well justified, feels like the inevitable choice from early on. A more surprising verdict might have reinforced the book’s spirit of discovery.

I highly recommend it!