The Girl and the Bicycle by Mark Pett
THE GIRL AND THE BICYCLE by Mark Pett is my pick for today’s Perfect Picture Book Friday.
Written and Illustrated by: Mark Pett 
Publisher: Simon & Schuster April 2014
Suitable for ages: 4-8
Themes/Topics: Determination, kindness, generosity, selflessness
Synopsis: A wordless picture book about a girl who wants to buy a bicycle, and the neighbor who she works for to earn money toward her goal. She works and saves as the seasons pass, however, when she finally has enough to buy it, the bicycle is no longer available. In the end the girl is rewarded for her acts of kindness and her willingness to work.
Opening pages: The book begins with a double-page spread of a little girl holding the hands of a little boy walking toward a storefront display window. The only color on the second page is part of the green frame on a bicycle in the window. On the next page, the girl stops suddenly when she sees the bike.
Why I like this book: The themes are why I love this book! They are universal and timeless. And the story flows so easily, all through the illustrations. Very impressive. This book is sure to be around for generations. See if you can catch a clever hint on the first spread that shows why the neighbor hired the little girl to work when others did not!
For more book reviews, go to author Susanna Hill’s Perfect Picture Book page to see other January 16, 2015 reviews.
I got this one from the library today. Looking forward to reading it. Thanks for adding it to the list.
Hope you enjoy. Let me know.
I haven’t run across this book until someone else shared it Friday. Since I saved my own money to buy my bike, it struck a note with me. It sounds like something kids would pour over and enjoy telling their own story. I love books that encourage imagination.
It’s a wonderful book indeed Patricia. Many examples for kids to follow for sure. Thanks for stopping by!