Sally Jean, the Bicycle Queen

I can pop a wheelie, I can touch the sky,

I can pedal backwards, I can really fly!

Sally Jean was born to ride. And her bicycle, Flash, is just about her best friend. But one day something terrible - and wonderful

- happens. Sally Jean grows. Suddenly she finds herself too big for Flash. What's a Bicycle Queen to do? Finally, by collecting old bicycle parts to make a new bike - and giving Flash to a young friend who longs for a bigger bike of his own - she rides again!

With exuberant art that's just the right match for Sally Jean's newfound freedom, this joyous text celebrates growing up,

learning new skills, and giving back to the community.

Publishers Weekly

An exuberant, can-do spirit pervades Best's (Three Cheers for Catherine the Great!) uplifting tale of a girl whose passion enables her to create opportunities out of roadblocks. Davenier's (the Iris and Walter books) watercolors initially create a sense of forward motion. The story opens with a redheaded one-year-old waving from a child's seat on Mama's bike, then progresses through the tricycle, bicycle-with-training-wheels, training-wheels-removal, seat-raising and handle-bar raising stages. In one picture, arms widespread, Sally Jean joyfully sings: "I can pop a wheelie, I can touch the sky,/ I can pedal backwards, I can really fly!" When, at eight, she outgrows her bike, the family's financial challenges become apparent-they can't afford a bike. Without a hint of self-pity, Sally Jean confronts her circumstances with ingenuity, optimism and hard work, aided by a community that finds numerous, nonfinancial ways to support her. Though she faces adult realities, whimsical artistic touches emphasize her child's world view; her toy elephant, for instance, energetically participates in all activities. Sally Jean follows her eventual triumphant achievement of fashioning a new bike with a generous act that closes the story on a heartwarming note. Ages 4-8. (May) Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.

CARI BEST's books include Shrinking Violet, a School Library

Journal Best Book. She lives in Weston, Connecticut.

CHRISTINE DAVENIER has illustrated many picture books.

She lives in Paris, France.