National Bicycle Month 2011
May is National Bike Month, an initiative of the League of American Bicyclists, an organization founded in 1880 and who also promotes Bike-to-Work Week & Bike-to-Work Day. CLCD is celebrating National Bike Month by presenting a variety of books which will inform and inspire kids and teens. Getting outside and riding a bike is an ideal way to keep kids healthy, happy–all while helping our planet. This month (and summer) CLCD encourages you to share the joy and exhilaration of riding a bike with your family and friends.
For more information visit:
http://www.bikeleague.org/programs/bikemonth/
http://www.saferoutesinfo.org/
Contributor: Emily Griffin
Reviews
Adiós, Tricycle
Susan Middleton Ely
Illustrated by Elisabeth Schlossberg
Thinking back, I can remember the day I graduated to a two-wheel bicycle. I was so proud of myself. This delightful story is about a family having a garage sale, but not everyone is ready to give up "prize" possessions, no matter what. Little Pig hides his tricycle so that no one can see it. It they see it they just might want to buy it and that he could not have. First he hides it behind the couch, but someone buys the couch so he then piles cans up in front of the tricycle. Just when the sale is coming to an end, one last car pulls up and a small girl puppy and her father see the tricycle and she grabs the trike. Oh my, what will he do now? Little pig could not refuse and realizes it is time to let his tricycle go. Mama and Papa count the money and they all go to a toy store. Guess what? Little Pig gets a new bike…a bike with two wheels! This is a wonderful story and the illustrations are perfect. The author has written this in poetry form with no more than two lines to a page. This makes it great for beginning readers. The story also has many Spanish words and the meaning can be found at the end of the book. "Venta finished-now completa, it just bought mi bicicleta!" This is a must have book and is perfect for reading aloud. 2009, G. P. Putnam’s Sons/Penguin, $16.99. Ages 4 to 8. Reviewer: Kathie M. Josephs (Children’s Literature).
ISBN: 9780399245220
Andy Shane: Hero at Last!
Jennifer Richard Jacobson
Illustrated by Abby Carter
Andy wants desperately to be a hero. He has a backpack full of hero supplies ready for any heroic situation that may arise. But even Andy knows that you can’t schedule being a hero, so he is also focused on winning the bike decorating contest for the annual Home Sweet Home parade. Andy is decorating his bike to look like the swallows that everyone in town loves. His pesky friend, Dolores Starbuckle, also wants to win the bike decorating contest. She’s created a bicycle built for two: for her and her cat to ride in the parade together. On the day of the parade, Dolores tells Andy that she is going to ride in front of all the other bikes. Andy rides with the rest of the kids in the decorated bike group, behind the high school marching band. But as the parade progresses, Andy realizes that the band’s bass drum isn’t helping to keep the band together. He knows why; the bass drummer has lost his drumstick! Andy retrieves the drumstick, and then rides his bike to the front of the parade to give it to the drummer, passing Dolores. Thanks to Andy, the parade is saved! Although his costume is crushed and he’s out of the contest, Andy doesn’t care because he realizes he is a hero after all. This book offers a sweet and simple look at the many different ways kids can make a difference through simple acts of kindness. Andy has several disappointments on his quest to be a hero, but the book does a great job of showing the small but satisfying rewards that come from perseverance and kindness. The illustrations add to the text and provide a welcome dose of humor. Young readers will likely identify with both Andy’s desire to be a hero and his hot and cold relationship with Dolores. 2010, Candlewick Press, $14.99. Ages 6 to 9. Reviewer: Lauri Berkenkamp (Children’s Literature).
ISBN: 9780763636005
BMX Racers
Ellen C. Labrecque
Getting the holeshot (the first position) out of the gate may keep you from getting into a tangle with other bikers, but there is a whole lot more to BMX racing and this little book covers most of it very well. This is the only book in the "Kid Racers" series that is about a kid-powered vehicle, but the author is able to generate as much excitement about the sport as any of the books about gasoline-powered racers do. The book follows the format of other informational books with a table of contents, glossary, bibliography/webliography and index that are helpful if a reader is looking for information about a specific concept and provides good early reader experiences with the nonfiction format. Bicycle motocross (BMX) was born in 1974 following Schwinn’s introduction of the Sting Ray bicycle in 1963 and the release of the motorcycling racing documentary film Copy Cats in 1971. Since the first race the sport has grown to include 75,000 racers in the United States and tens of thousands more worldwide of all ages and varying levels of expertise. The author provides a history of the sport, including a timeline of significant events, descriptions of the five racing categories, types of bikes and the varying qualities to look for, safety gear, basic racing techniques and practice and racing venues. Short biographical sketches of some of the stars of the sport are presented and a description of how the sport can be a family endeavor are included. Overall, BMX Racers is a book that provides a good introduction to the sport and may inspire girls and boys to dive into this challenging activity. 2010, Enslow Publishing, $23.93. Ages 9 to 12. Reviewer: Cindy K. Schofield (Children’s Literature).
ISBN: 9780766037533
Crunch
Leslie Connor
The ability to get into a car and drive anywhere is often taken for granted, but in this novel, readers are taken not too far into the future to a time where there are severe gas restrictions and occasionally no available gas at all. Dewey Mariss and his siblings find themselves in this situation when they learn that their parents are stranded at the Canadian border trying to make their way home during a summer where people have turned to bicycles as a real means for getting around. Dewey takes responsibility for his father’s side business–a bicycle repair shop–and knows the thrill of pride when he and his brother Vince are able to handle things even though their dad is away. When parts begin to disappear from the shop and people bring more bikes to "The Bike Barn" than the two brothers can possible handle, however, Dewey and his older sister, Lil, clash over what is in the best interests for the five Mariss children while their parents are away. Nevertheless, Dewey is resolved to do what is best for the family and the Bike Barn, including solving the mystery of who is taking the parts and stealing bikes. The characters in this story are well developed and their reactions to the various challenges they face ring true. This book should be a favorite with younger readers. 2010, Katherine Tegen Books/HarperCollins, $16.99. Ages 10 to 14. Reviewer: Jean Boreen, Ph.D. (Children’s Literature).
ISBN: 9780061692291
ISBN: 9780061692338
Houndsley and Catina Plink and Plunk
James Howe
Illustrated by Marie Louise Gay
Working with a controlled vocabulary, this early reader is a charmer! Houndsley’s friend Bert is his usual canoeing companion, but when Bert is unavailable, Houndsley reluctantly invites his other friend Catina (a fuzzy white cat) along instead. Houndsley especially enjoys the quiet of canoeing, the plink and plunk of the paddle hitting the water, but Catina cannot stop talking while she’s in the canoe, so he finds her a sometimes annoying companion for that activity. On this day, however, Catina suddenly becomes quiet after they experience some turbulent water. When Bert returns, the three of them go bicycling, an activity that terrifies Houndsley, which leads to the revelation that Catina is equally frightened of being on the water, which is why she chatters constantly in the canoe. Gay’s evocative but charmingly quirky watercolor, pencil, and collage illustrations perfectly capture the three friends and their comfortable relationship, and Howe’s words are just as effective at depicting the pleasures of a paddle: "Their paddles plinked and plunked. The birds called as they swooped overhead. The wind rustled in the pines at the water’s edge." There is a scattering of pages that are entirely text, interspersed between many that have only a few sentences. The vocabulary is not simple; this book seems to fall just between the easy reader and early chapter book categories. This is an outstanding addition to collections serving young readers and should appeal to first and second graders as they experience the joys of empathetic friendships. 2009, Candlewick Press, $15.99. Ages 4 to 8. Reviewer: Leslie Rounds (Children’s Literature).
ISBN: 9780763633851
Little Lizard’s New Bike
Melinda Melton Crow
Illustrated Andrew Rowland
Tackling the job of learning to read is a joint effort between adults and young children. Making sure that the right books are placed into the hands of the early reader can make all the difference. This level one beginning to read picture book is one of those perfect books to achieve that goal. Gary, a young lizard, finds that buying a new bike is a real dilemma. The yellow bike is just too big and the blue bike is just too small, what will he do? So many choices to make. Young children will easily be able to connect with Gary’s problem. Gary is faced with the same decision that many children reading his story may also have faced. This 103 word early reader is written using basic sight vocabulary with a very simple sentence format, a basic one line of text per page. The bright, colorful illustrations are detailed and offer multiple opportunities to expand vocabulary and encourage discussion. Parents and guardians are given a short introduction with suggestions relating how beginning reading books can be used to expand and develop literacy. The adult is encouraged to see that time spend reading with a child is an investment in that child’s future life as a reader. A high success, feel good about reading kind of book that will draw even the most reluctant readers to open the front cover and have a look. A small book, perfect for small hands. Other titles in this series include, Little Lizard’s Big Party, Little Lizard’s First Day and Little Lizard’s Family Fun. 2011, Stone Arch Books/Capstone, $21.32. Ages 3 to 6. Reviewer: Kathy Leggett (Children’s Literature).
ISBN: 9781434220080
ISBN: 9781434227928
Pop-Up Tour de France
Pamela Pease
This tribute to the annual bicycle race around France begins with a brief "Parade of Bicycle History." Across the gutter from a summary of facts about the race is a map of France with an erasable acetate overlay on which to plot the route. Details about the team arrangements, the caravan that follows them, the bikes themselves, the time trials, the varying terrain to be covered, and the winners of the past all follow on double pages filled with diagrams and paintings of the landscapes through which the race runs. We can open the door to a large van and take out the many members of the team needed to maintain the riders. Some mountains rise from a double-page scene in which are diagrams of major Alps. A string of cyclists emerges from the back of a flat stage and seem to want to ride over us. The grand finale of the race in Paris includes photographs. All details of equipment and conditioning are described and illustrated in this useful and visually appealing reference with glossary included. 2009, Paintbox Press, $36.00. Ages 9 to Adult. Reviewers Ken Marantz and Sylvia Marantz (Children’s Literature).
ISBN: 9780966943375
Ride Right: Bicycle Safety
Jill Urban Donahue
Illustrations by Bob Masheris
Ajay is getting a new bike for his birthday, but his family reminds him that he must be responsible while having fun with his new bike. His sister gives him a helmet, mom adjusts his seat and pedals so they are the appropriate height, his brother gives Ajay a reflective shirt so he can be seen, and Dad shows him hand signals. Each scene is accompanied by a "Safety Tip" box to further reinforce bike safety. The rules are woven into a story about Ajay’s first bike ride. The reader or listener picks up tips without feeling like they are reading a safety manual. Brightly colored illustrations and large simple text make this a good choice to share with a group of young bike riders. This is a good choice for both parent and child to share before venturing out on a family ride. A bibliography, glossary, and website are provided for further information about bicycle safety. This book is one of four books in the series "How to Be Safe." 2009, Picture Window Books/A Capstone Publisher, $25.26. Ages 4 to 8. Reviewer: Nancy Baumann (Children’s Literature).
ISBN: 9781404848177
The Science of a Bicycle
Ian Graham
For over a century, bicycles have been designed to use as a practical form of transportation or as a way to physically condition adults as well as children. Some athletes actually pedal a bike to win races that provide them with trophies, ribbons, and even cash prizes. The basis behind how a bicycle works obeys Newton’s Laws of Motion which has three principals explained on page six of the book. The book goes on to explain how much of the bike relies on friction, the amount of torque, the aerodynamics, and the impact of gravity. Learn why the design of the bike depends on whether it can be ridden on streets or in the dirt. Another term, "drafting" (on page twenty-nine) comes into affect when racing bicycles around a track. The leading rider creates a low-pressure zone that allows the second rider to experience drafting because they hang right behind the first rider and have to pedal less in this zone. The author, Ian Graham, breaks down the different aspects of bicycles from the handle bars to the gears to, finally, the rubber around the tires. The scientific terms could confuse young readers so check out the glossary and the great facts inside the purple boxes to help understand some of the technology information. The use of diagrams and simple text encourages comprehension, the ability to use the material in a report, or reading just for knowledge. This book is part of "The Science of Forces series." 2009, Gareth Stevens Publishing, $26.00. Ages 8 to 14. Reviewer: Julia Beiker (Children’s Literature).
ISBN: 9781433900402
Tillie the Terrible Swede: How One Woman, a Sewing Needle, and a Bicycle Changed History
Sue Stauffacher
Illustrated by Sarah McMenemy
In 1889, at the age of fourteen, Tillie Anderson comes to America from Sweden seeking a better life. Good with a needle, she works in a tailor shop, waiting for a dream. One day she finds it when she sees a bicycle. Although bicycles are not supposed to be for ladies, Tillie saves her money to buy one, dreaming not of slow, graceful riding but of the thrill of racing. While practicing, Tillie also designs and sews an outfit that scandalizes the neighbors but that she is comfortable in while riding. Soon she is winning races and setting records. She becomes famous. Her friend and fellow-cyclist, Phillip Shoberg, becomes her manager and later her husband. She is an inspiration to young girls, but considered "unwomanly." Women’s rights organizations cheer her. After becoming "champion of the world," Tillie moves on to motor cars. The gouache, hand-painted paper collage, and black India ink flat illustrations include maps of races, indoor races, newspaper clippings, Tillie’s bicycle wedding, her trophy cabinet, etc. with minimal details and a light-hearted approach. The front end pages are framed items from the women’s wardrobes of the day. In contrast, the back end pages show the details of her "Record Breakers" and "Cycling Victories." 2011, Knopf/Random House Children’s Books, $17.99. Ages 5 to 8. Reviewers: Ken Marantz and Sylvia Marantz (Children’s Literature).
ISBN: 9780375844423
ISBN: 9780375944420
Wheels of Change: How Women Rode the Bicycle to Freedom (With a Few Flat Tires Along the Way)
Sue Macy
Burdened with helmets, pads, and parental strictures and anxiety, many young bike riders may find it hard to regard their humble wheels as vehicles of liberation. Here Macy offers a brief history of the bicycle itself, focusing on the improvements that morphed it from a boneshaking glorified scooter to a sleek, smooth ride. Then she turns to her real interest–how women in particular embraced this novel mode of transportation, which encouraged freedom of physical movement, necessitated clothing reform, expanded their geographical sphere, and whisked them out from under the watchful eye of parents and even husbands. Focusing specifically on American history, Macy displays a keen feel for the elements that will most amuse or outrage her readers–concerns that women’s reproductive health would be jeopardized by cycling; that their morals would be compromised by sudden social freedoms; that their sense of decency would erode with the donning of pants, bloomers, or short skirts; and that all this would inevitably lead to–oh, woe!–demanding the vote. The gallery of photographs (including some images of African Americans, often absent from children’s books on women’s rights), ephemera, and sidebar newspaper excepts is as fascinating as the text, and the addition of a timeline, index, resource page, and quotation sources will make this topic accessible to report writers focusing on women’s history. Relatively short, themed chapters will even make this a strong selection for a nonfiction readaloud. Review Code: R – Recommended. © Copyright 2006, The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois. 2011, National Geographic, 96p. illus. with photographs., $27.90 and $18.95. Grades 4-8. Reviewer: Elizabeth Bush (The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books, March 2011 (Vol. 64, No. 7)).
ISBN: 9781426307614
ISBN: 9781426307621
To view Bicycle Month book reviews from previous years, click on the following links:
2008 feature
2006 feature
Added 4/27/11
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If you're interested in reviewing children's and young adult books, then send a resume and writing sample to marilyn@childrenslit.com.