Bike & Trike

Growing pains abound in this vehicular tale about change and new beginnings. Outgrown by child Lulu, red Trike languishes in the garage ("a rusty little fellow,/ a trusty little fellow") until teal Bike arrives, a gift for Lulu's birthday. Lonely and insecure, Trike worries that the child will forget all they braved together: "summer bees,/ skinned knees" and the terrible day Lulu finally outgrew her tricycle ("No go," says her younger sibling, Tru). Challenged to a race by overconfident, wheelie-popping Bike ("a happy young fellow, a snappy young fellow"), careful Trike sees an opportunity to secure safety for Lulu, but calamity strikes when the two hit the road. Together, Bike's uncontrolled enthusiasm and Trike's cautious concern represent two very real and often competing emotions commonly felt during times of significant change. Rhythmic, personality-laden text by Verdick (Small Walt) couples with dynamic anthropomorphic energy and emotion dexterously conveyed by Biggs (The Space Walk) to create an amusing friendship story that's just right for reading aloud. Ages 4-8. Author's agent: Mary Cummings, Betsy Amster Literary Enterprises. Illustrator's agent: Steven Malk, Writers House. (Feb.)

PreS-Gr 2—This story celebrates the moment in a child's life when they transition from a tricycle to a bicycle and all the joys and fears that come with that change. Trike is rusty and feels that Lulu has outgrown him. He remembers the many rides he and Lulu shared, braving the summer and surviving skinned knees. He longs for those days but knows that his fate is sealed when in rolls Bike, a shiny new gift for Lulu. Bike is fast, full of bells and whistles, and anxious to show off. Trike is concerned about safety, but Bike is young and full of energy. When Bike challenges Trike to a race, both learn important lessons about safety, sharing, friendship, and coexisting peacefully. The illustrations are simple, featuring the red Trike and teal Bike in their natural habitats, the garage, and the road. VERDICT Though a bit long, this picture book will appeal to a variety of readers. Children will enjoy the banter between these two bikes and the joy of their new riders.—Maegen Rose, Rye Country Day School, NY