Synopsis
Uniquely cinematic in form, the storyline of this brilliantly illustrated tale follows a young boy who dreams of owning a new bicycle. As he interacts with his grandfather, friends, and mother, the boy slowly discovers that reaching a dream can be a difficult task, especially when money is tight. Eventually the boy learns to make do in times of both hope and despair, and, despite struggles, he develops personal strength and compassion for others.
School Library Journal
Gr 2-5
A boy in an unnamed Asian setting wishes for a new bicycle, but his family cannot afford one. He tries everything from magic wishes to riding double on a friend's bike, but finally reconciles himself to keeping his old clunker. He paints it a different color and feels as if he has a new bike. Deep emotion flows beneath this simple text: longing, frustration, joy, resourcefulness. The story feels personal, like a memory or slice of the author's life, and the child's first-person narration does not detract from the almost adult sophistication of the telling. The book has the feel of a graphic novel. The sketchy cartoon illustrations done on heavy textured stock are full of movement and changes in perspective, and they carry much of the storytelling and humor. This is a beautifully understated, often amusing meditation on being resilient, appreciating what you have, and still sustaining hope for something better.-Heidi Estrin, Feldman Children's Library at Congregation B'nai Israel, Boca Raton, FL