Real racing. Real magic.
One unforgettable first race — where imagination takes the wheel.
A boy, his car, and a dream that roars to life.
When Max and his talking car, Leo, step into the glowing Magic Garage, the ordinary becomes extraordinary — and their first Formula-style race becomes a story of courage, friendship, and the spark that connects us all.
Choose Your Racing Line
Story Overview
The engines growl. The lights blink red.
And in that heartbeat before the race begins, everything changes.
Max has waited his whole life for this moment — and Leo, his loyal blue sedan, has too. Inside the Magic Garage, golden light swirls, tools spin like planets, and the air hums with energy. When the doors burst open, Leo has transformed into a sleek, open-wheel race car streaked with comet fire.
Together, they roll onto a legendary American circuit carved into the hillside — a place where dreams climb, twist, and fly. Waiting for them is Bolt — a fierce rival wrapped in crackling neon lightning.
Every lap pushes them harder. Every corner teaches them something new. And when the checkered flag waves, Max and Leo discover that true speed comes not just from engines and aerodynamics, but from trust, teamwork, and heart.
About the Book
Where the roar of racing meets the wonder of imagination.
Title: Max & Leo’s First Race
Series: The Max & Leo Racing Adventures
Format: Picture book (Ages 4–8)
Illustrations: With over 7 years specializing in children's book illustration and character design, Danh brings the authentic motorsport world of The Magic Garage to life with vibrant, dynamic artwork that captures both technical detail and storybook wonder. Danh Tran. See more of Danh’s work here.
Length: 32 pages
Release: Coming 2026
Why This Book Feels Different
🏎️Authentic Racing, Alive with Detail
Real tracks. Real corners. Real cars.
Real racing language — brought to life in a way kids can feel and parents recognize. From the uphill start to the roaring back straight, every page captures the spirit of Formula-style racing.
✨Magic in the Machines
Leo’s smooth golden comet and Bolt’s jagged lightning aren’t just effects — they’re reflections of personality. One flows with harmony and heart; the other burns with ego and energy. The Magic Garage is where mechanics meet imagination.
👨👩👧👦 For Racing Families Everywhere
For every parent who’s pointed at a passing race car and said, “Listen to that sound!”
For every kid whose eyes lit up in wonder.
This is a story about sharing that moment together — one lap, one laugh, one dream at a time.
The Magic Garage Series
One Magic Garage. Infinite Roads.
From a glowing hilltop circuit in America to midnight marathons through the countryside, every door in the Magic Garage opens to a new world of racing. Each time Max and Leo step through, engines roar, lights flare, and a fresh challenge begins — one that fuses real racing physics with pure imagination.
They’ll conquer thundering ovals packed with fans, survive dune-filled rallies that stretch from sunrise to stars, and chase victory through rain-slick mountain climbs. They’ll master patience on tight street circuits, bravery on ice and gravel, and balance in the silent speed of tomorrow’s electric racers.
Every adventure celebrates a different side of motorsport — endurance, precision, courage, innovation — told through the friendship of a boy and his magical, comet-streaked car. And through it all, the lesson remains the same: Every track has a story. Every racer carries a spark.
Series Roadmap
From city streets to desert dunes, from roaring ovals to silent circuits — the Magic Garage brings the world of racing to life for dreamers of every age.
Each adventure opens a new door, a new lesson, and a new kind of magic. Together, Max and Leo will journey through every corner of motorsport — where every track has a story, and every racer carries a spark.
Max & Leo’s First Race
Hill-top international circuit (inspired by Texas)
The debut adventure — where the Magic Garage transforms Leo into a comet-streaked Formula-style racer and sends Max into his very first grand prix.
Themes: Discovery • Courage • Trust
The Seaside Street Circuit
Inspired by: Monaco
Golden lights reflect off narrow harbor roads as Max and Leo weave through a glamorous city race where precision and patience win the day.
Theme: Focus • Control • Confidence
The Midnight Endurance Run
Countryside endurance course (Le Mans-like)
Under glowing pit lights, Max and Leo learn what it means to race through day and night — where teamwork, stamina, and friendship fuel every lap.
Themes: Perseverance • Teamwork
The Desert Rally Quest
Endless desert landscapes (Dakar-style)
Through heat, dunes, and dust storms, Max and Leo tackle an off-road odyssey that tests their grit — and the strength of their magic.
Themes: Endurance • Adaptability • Perseverance
The Great American Oval
Monumental speedway (Indy-style)
Draft, dive, and hold the line — bravery at 200 mph where rhythm meets precision.
Themes: Patience • Precision • Rhythm
Stock-Car Showdown
Short oval and road courses (NASCAR-style)
Door-to-door battles, roaring engines, and family rivalries push Max and Leo to balance raw power with respect on the track.
Themes: Respect • Discipline • Humility
The Karting Origins
Local karting circuit
Back to basics — small machines, big lessons — as Max and Leo mentor a new generation of racers in the Magic Garage’s hometown.
Themes: Mentorship • Joy of racing
The Mountain Ascent
Mountain switchbacks (Pikes Peak-style)
High above the clouds, every corner is a cliffside test of courage as the duo races the rising sun in a magical hill-climb challenge.
Themes: Bravery • Self-belief
The Ice & Thunder Rallycross
Arctic and forest rallycross tracks
Snow, mud, and jumps — chaos and competition collide as Bolt returns with new tricks, forcing Leo to find calm within the storm.
Themes: Control vs. chaos
The Race of Tomorrow
Silent speed (Formula E / Extreme E)
Electric racers glow with pure energy — innovation, balance, and the future at full charge.
Themes: Innovation • Sustainability
A global journey through speed, science, and heart — powered by the magic of racing.
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