Everyone Can Learn to Ride a Bicycle by Chris Raschka
The two-time Caldecott Medalist returns with another exceptional picture book. In this book, a little girl learns to ride a bike. She first picks out the bike she wants to try, then watches other people ride their bikes. The training wheels are very helpful, keeping her upright and they steadily are moved upward so that she can start to balance on her own. Training wheels off, she tries riding in the grass but when she heads down a small hill, she tips over. It takes a lot of courage to get back on again and again and again after tumbling off. But then, suddenly and incredibly, she learns to ride a bicycle on her own!
Written in second-person, the book really allows readers to see themselves as the one riding the bicycle. Raschka’s text is simple and effective, encouraging readers to give it a try. When the tumbling begins, Raschka starts talking about courage, sure to inspire young readers to see that quality in themselves both in learning to ride a bicycle and in other endeavors too. As always, the art is the key with Raschka’s picture books. His style is loose and flowing, capturing movement and wobbles with easy watercolor strokes.
A great pick for spring when children are sure to be longing to be out playing in the warmer weather, this book is a quietly inspiring read. Appropriate for ages 3-5.
Reviewed from library copy.
Waking Brain Cells 