National Bicycle Month
Cards flapping in the spokes and streamers flying from the handle grips gave an added feeling of speed--who could ever forget the pleasures of riding a bike at the fastest pace possible? May is National Bicycle Month and CLCD is celebrating by presenting a variety of books which will inform and stimulate those who already ride bikes and inspire those who have not yet enjoyed the feeling of "flying" down the sidewalk or road. My own mother broke her foot teaching my brother to ride his first bike-the "danger" is not always to the first time biker-my brother took off leaving my mom behind!
The League of American Bicyclists is promoting Bike-to-Work Week from May 12-16 and Bike-to-Work Day on Friday, May 16, 2008. Park the car and use leg power instead of horse power. My husband biked 25 miles a day to work until he retired-he was quite proud of not adding pollution to the environment and staying fit at the same time. Not everyone can do that but we can do a little bit that will benefit us all. Get out there and enjoy the wind on your face and the empowerment of self-propulsion! Oh, yes, and WEAR A HELMET!
To find support for biking events and other information visit: www.bikeleague.org/programs/bikemonth/
Contributor: Sheilah Egan
Reviews
Bailey’s Bike
Lori Mortensen
Illustrations by Amy Bailey Muehlenhardt
Bailey loves to ride his bike. When he is riding his bike, he can pretend to be anything he imagines. Sometimes when he is riding his bike he pretends that he is a race car driver or a safari hunter driving a jeep to find lions. Sometimes he is a circus performer on a high wire, a truck driver driving across the country, or a cowboy on a horse. Other times, Bailey pretends that he is a pilot, a taxi driver, or a pirate searching for treasures in the sea. Even when he is just Bailey riding his bike, he is having a great time. All children will be able to relate to this book, and the colorful pictures and action filled pages will keep children entertained. This book is part of the red level of the “Read-it! Readers” series. The red level features familiar topics and repeating sentence patterns. At the end of the book, the author provides a list of other book titles that are included in the red level of the “Read-it! Readers” series. A web site is also listed which the reader can use to find additional information related to topics in the book. The web sites have been researched by a member of the educational staff to ensure the sites are safe and appropriate. Great book for beginner readers! 2008, Picture Window Books/Coughlan Publishing Company, Ages 4 to 8, $19.93. Reviewer: Melissa Hower
ISBN: 978-1-4048-4081-2
Bicycle Safety
Sue Barraclough
In twenty-four pages, Barraclough offers young children some basic tips about safely riding a bicycle. The book has a pattern as do the others in the “Stay Safe” series. It sets the stage with “Riding a bicycle is fun,” and follows it with a question, “Do you know how to stay safe?” The spreads that follow provide a negative example/answer on the left hand page and a positive/correct answer on the right hand page. For example, “Never ride a bicycle that is too big,” which shows a boy whose feet cannot touch the ground. The correct example shows a girl seated on a bike wither her feet firmly placed on the ground. The book ends with a recap of all the safety rules that appeared in the book. There is also a picture glossary, an index page, and a note to parents and teachers. The book also introduces a multiethnic group of kids and other individuals in its pictures--a subtle message, which goes along with the stronger lesson relating to bicycle safety. 2008, Heinemann, $20.71. Ages 4 to 6. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 9781403498571
ISBN: 9781403498649
ISBN: 1403498644
Bicycling
Valerie Bodden
Did you know that the first bicycles ever made were wooden and did not have pedals? People pushed them with their feet! Bicycles have been around for a long time, and today people ride all types of bikes. The book describes three types of bicycles: touring, off-road, and BMX. There are many differences between the three types of bikes. The book also shows the races in which each type of bicycle can participate. Helmets are emphasized, and every picture shows someone who is wearing a helmet. The last part of the book talks about the importance of always wearing a helmet when riding a bicycle. The book contains 23 pages, and the text is large so early and middle readers can sound out unfamiliar words. One word has its phonetic spelling next to it, to help with pronunciation. The back page contains a short index and a glossary. Each page of the book contains photographs that are large and sharp. This is one in a series of four books on “Active Sports.” This will be a good addition to a library. 2008, Creative Education, $24.25. Ages 6 to 10. Reviewer: Nicole Peterson (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 978-1-58341-467-5
ISBN: 1-58341-467-3
First Among Losers
Robin and Chris Lawrie
Illustrated by Robin Lawrie
The Ridge Riders are a group of friends (Slam, Dozy, Larry, Fiona and Andy) who love mountain biking. Development has forced them to move their courses to another part of the hill near an old rock quarry. The courses are pretty cool because they had to build a lot of aerial jumps to cross the rocky ground. Aptly named, the most difficult jump is called “The Dragon,” as the end of it has been made to look like a looming, open mouth. A boy named Punk, the friends’ chief rival, always has the newest bike technology, since his dad is in the business. But will that be enough to win the big race? The illustrations are bright and “cartoony.” Speech bubbles keep the story moving while reading like a comic book. An admirable lesson to be learned from the story is that it is no fun to win if your opponent is not on level playing ground. Helping out one’s rivals can lead to a more exciting race in the end. Items included at the back of the book are a glossary, internet sites, discussion questions, and reading prompts. The authors, who live in England, wrote the “Ridge Rider” books together for their son. Many of the books are based on adventures he and his friends had while biking. Recommended. 2007 (orig. 2004), Stone Arch Books, $19.93. Ages 4 to 8. Reviewer: Cindy L. Carolan (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 978-1-59889-125-6
ISBN: 1-59889-125-1
Grandpa's Boneshaker Bicycle
Colin West
Grandpa is a collector of a vast number of objects stored in his home. Although the items are considered interesting, they are useless. Through the perspective of the grandson, the story is revealed. The grandson discovers his grandfather’s very old “boneshaker” bicycle. The grandson convinces his grandfather about the advantages of the bicycle. The two of them begin to clean the bike and get it back into working condition. Grandpa is able to ride the bike, with the exception that the uphill pedaling is strenuous. One day the pair travel on their bikes to a rummage sale where a stranger is interested in purchasing Grandpa’s bicycle. Despite the monetary offer that grows from $25 to $250 for the bike, Grandpa refuses to sell. The stranger, an owner of a bicycle museum and shop, hands them his business card. The following day, the grandfather leads and directs the bike ride with his grandson to the Cycle Museum where the story takes an interesting turn. Between sections of the story are illustrations with the characters’ dialogue that work with the sequence or flow of the story. This book is part of the “Read-it! Chapter Books” series. 1999, Picture Window Books, $21.26. Ages 7 to 9. Reviewer: Carrie Hane Hung (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 978-1-4048-2732-5
ISBN: 1-4048-2732-3
Madison and the Two Wheeler
Vanita Braver
Illustrated by Carl DiRocco
You do not need to read the cover blurb to recognize that this book is formulaic--a child solves an everyday problem “with the help of parents and stuffed animal friends.” Five year old Madison’s problem is that her first efforts to ride a two-wheeler end in a fall. At first Madison resists any attempts to try again. But between her mother, her toy bluebird called Hope, and a challenge from her friend Emily, Madison comes to the obvious solution--to simply pick herself up and try again. Just in case anyone might have missed the point, Madison’s father praises her persistence. DiRocco’s watercolor illustrations are the best part of this book. There is a more playful feel to them than to the quite labored language. They help bring to life the analogy made between the baby birds who are beginning to fly and Madison’s eventual success in riding without training wheels. 2008, Star Bright Books, $15.95. Ages 4 to 7. Reviewer: Mary Hynes-Berry (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 978-1-59572-109-9
ISBN: 1-59572-109-6
Martin Bridge in High Gear!
Jessica Scott Kerrin
Illustrated by Joseph Kelly
Martin Bridge is back! This time, he is in two engaging stories. In the first, Mrs. Keenan has assigned Martin’s class a science fair project. It is a group project and, to mix things up, she asks Gibson to work with Martin and his friends. Gibson is one of those kids who is just plain lucky. Here, his luck seems to be getting him out of doing any real work on the project. It is not fair! Is there anything Martin can do about a classmate who is not doing his share? In the second story, Martin finally gets a brand-new bike! Off to the grocery store on an errand for his mom, Martin comes out of the store to find that someone has cut the lock and stolen his bike. It is going to be a long time before there’s enough money to buy another. Then his Mom learns about Recycle Bicycle; it is a program in which a retired police officer makes “new” bikes from the parts of old ones and gives them to kids from families in need. Martin volunteers to work with Mr. Darby if he will help Martin rebuild a bike of his own. But on the day his bike is ready, Martin is faced with a very tough decision. A wonderful addition to school and classroom libraries that is sure to be enjoyed by independent readers, this would be a great read-aloud for any class starting a group project! Illustrated with charcoal drawings. 2008, Kids Can Press, $14.95. Ages 7 to 9. Reviewer: Anita Barnes Lowen (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 978-1-55453-156-1
ISBN: 978-1-55453-157-8
ISBN: 1-55453-156-X
Race of a Lifetime
Tony Norman
Illustrated by Paul Savage
Jaime’s favorite pastime is riding his bike; he also uses it to deliver papers for his part-time job. But Jaime’s bike is falling apart and while he would love to buy a new racing bike, his large family cannot afford it. Unfortunately, neither can he! One day a mysterious e-mail arrives, leading him to an advertisement for a second-hand bike that he can afford and that would be perfect for him. It could not have been more timely, as the big town bike race is soon to be upon them. But when Jaime’s bike is stolen, it appears that he is out of the race. Or is he? Simple pen-and-ink illustrations accompany the no more than six-page-apiece chapters. Along with the often found glossary, Internet sites, and suggestions for further reading are discussion questions and writing prompts that would be useful in an Accelerated Reader-type of program. A believable and resonant portrayal of a brother and sister relationship, conflict resolution and goal setting--all are topics examined in this chapter book that is perfectly appropriate for the intended age level. The author and illustrator both live in England. Recommended. 2007 (orig. 2002), Stone Arch Books, $19.93. Ages 6 to 10. Reviewer: Cindy L. Carolan (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 978-1-59889-093-8
ISBN: 1-59889-093-X
Radar Riders
Robin and Chris Lawrie
Illustrated by Robin Lawrie
Slam and his group of bike-riding friends call themselves the “Ridge Riders.” When a company purchases the land where they love to ride, the Ridge Riders must use all their creativity to come up with a way to build a racecourse through an old quarry. Recycling old building materials, they create a fantastic, thrilling course. In fact, it is just a little too thrilling for Larry who begins to think that he is a horrible rider after one too many crashes. Dozy comes up with an ingenious solution by creating a “soundtrack” for the course to help Larry visualize the turns and jumps he needs to make and when to do them--in essence, helping him “see with his ears.” As Larry listens to the music over and over again, he begins to improve; however, Andy, who is deaf, begins to think that his friends have an unfair advantage with their soundtrack. On race day, the group discovers at the last minute that the course has been changed, and Andy, who cannot rely on his sense of sound, comes in victorious. This graphic novel weaves together several different conflicts, emphasizing how this group of friends helps one another. The subject matter will appeal to active youngsters, while the theme allows teachers and parents to talk about overcoming fears, helping friends, and appreciating diverse abilities. 2000, Stone Arch Books, $19.93. Ages 6 to 9. Reviewer: Leah Hanson (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 978-1-59889-127-0
ISBN: 1-59889-127-8
Yuki's Ride Home
Manya Tessler
This is a satisfying story of a young Japanese girl's relationship with her grandma, and of the challenges the child faces on her first solo trip home from grandma's house. Yuki rides her bike across the bridge to grandma's little island home where she spends a special day making origami animals, feeding the koi, playing with grandma's pets, enjoying noodle soup, and, finally, listening to the night music at sunset. When the fog rolls in, threatening to spoil Yuki's plan to ride home alone, she finds the courage to complete her trip, with grandma's pets accompanying her for part of the journey. Warm, caring relationships and universal emotions are portrayed in this appealing book, which also gives readers a view into another culture. Pencil, patterned paper, and digital techniques are melded together beautifully to create the unusual artwork. The colors are vibrant and clear, and the characters are skillfully drawn to show the love and emotions shared. A variety of perspective also adds interest; one delightful page shows Grandma's and Yuki's faces reflected in the water as they feed the fish, and on another page a frog's-eye view shows the foggy scene and a matching reflection as Yuki crosses the bridge. This lovely book is a must-have. Highly Recommended. 2008, Bloomsbury Children's Books, 32pp., $16.95 hc.. Ages 3 to 8. Reviewer: Barbara B. Feehrer (Library Media Connection, March 2008)
ISBN: 978-1-59990023-0
ISBN: 1-59990023-8
ISBN: 978-1-59990163-3
ISBN: 1-59990163-3
Added 04/24/08
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