Review by Booklist Review
When Emily invites Eric to watch a bike race in her town, he grabs his supplies (spare tires, first-aid kit, balloon, etc.) and flowers for his friend and leaps on his cycle. Meanwhile, Emily packs a picnic lunch and waits . . . and waits. Eric has stopped along the way to help a series of racing cyclists in distress. Not wanting to be late, he speeds down the homestretch to Emily, flower petals streaming behind him. Never mind, a grand bouquet awaits him at the winner's platform. First published in France, this winsome picture book has vitality, careful pacing, and an unexpected twist near the end. Children will enjoy watching the capable boy help inept adult cyclists with his can-do attitude and his trusty supplies, and they'll root for a happy ending for him and for Emily. Created by an English writer-illustrator-cyclist, the story holds together well, but the beautifully drawn, spare ink illustrations, tinted with restrained watercolor washes, really make this picture book stand out.--Phelan, Carolyn Copyright 2014 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Waters, a London-based author-illustrator who also holds a Guinness record for cycling, makes his picture book debut with the story of a bicycle-loving boy whose good deeds are keeping him from his lunch date. A major bike race is finishing up in the hometown of Eric's friend Emily, and she invites him over to see who wins. After packing important supplies, including two extra tires and "some soft caramels," Eric heads off on his own bicycle; as he rides, he meets a handful of competitors who need his help. An air of magical realism winds through the story (Eric blows up the red balloon in his bag to allow one overtired cyclist to float his way along the course), so by the time Eric arrives at the finish line, it doesn't require much suspension of disbelief when he wins first place. Waters's airy watercolor washes and delicate ink lines give the story a Continental charm, deftly rendering the city's cobblestone streets and wrought-iron balconies, as well as the deep italic slant of the cyclists as they speed around a bend. Ages 4-8. (Apr.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review
K-Gr 2-Eric has been invited by his friend Emily to watch a bike race. She prepares a picnic and waits for Eric. He packs his "essentials"-tires, a compass, first-aid kit, caramels, a balloon, and, most importantly, flowers for Emily. Riding his bike to her house, he encounters a series of cyclists who have met with a variety of disasters, and he is able to assist each one by creatively using one of his essentials, from repairing a flat tire with band-aids to having his balloon boost an exhausted cyclist over a hill. Realizing his acts of kindness have destroyed Emily's flowers and will make him late, he heads off at top speed, resulting in a happy ending. This is a sweet story about helping strangers in need. Waters's experiences as a cyclist lend an air of authenticity to the racing scenes. The quirky watercolor illustrations are reminiscent of Quentin Blake's work and complement the clearly written text nicely. Not an essential purchase, but good for larger collections.-Grace Oliff, Ann Blanche Smith School, Hillsdale, NJ (c) Copyright 2014. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
