The Extraordinary Story of One Ordinary Bicycle
Written by Jude Isabella, Illustrated by Simone Shin
Leo has worked very hard to save money to buy the bicycle. In fact, he saved for two years. So, after he buys it, Leo and his bicycle, which he names Big Red, go everywhere together. But all so soon it seems Leo outgrows Big Red and one day, at the bike shop looking for a new one, he learns of an organization in town that is collecting used bicycles to send to faraway countries. Little did Leo know that when he bought Big Red, his bicycle would someday go across the sea to Africa and serve others in very purposeful ways. Read The Red Bicycle: the Extraordinary Story of One Ordinary Bicycle and find out the amazing travels of Big Red. I like this book because it talks about donating our used items. This is something we all can do. It could make for an introduction to a wonderful lesson teaching children they can make a difference and change the life of someone else. The story is also told in two ways: one, reading the whole story text or two, reading the one larger print line for younger readers. I thought that was a clever way to reach all reading levels and ages. The illustrations are colorful and match the settings of where Leo lives in North America and Africa. There are also photographs in the back and articles about what the reader can do to help and notes to parents and teachers. I really liked this book.
Review by Renee Larsen, Hillside Elementary Media Center
Rating: ★★★★★ (5 stars)
Interest Level: Grades 3-6 and Up
The Red Bicycle: The Extraordinary Story of One Ordinary Bicycle
Written by Jude Isabella, Illustrated by Simone Shin
Kids Can Press
32 pages
Release Date: March 1, 2015
