Saturday, February 24, 2018

Get On Your Bike by Joukje Akveld and illustrated by Philip Hopman [Review & Giveaway]

ISBN: 9780802854896
Hardcover
My thoughts: This delightful book falls in the category of "big picture book" and it presents the opportunity to learn lessons in conflict with others, the joy of getting out-and-about in the wonderful outdoors, the joy of cycling, and attention to the plethora of minute detail in the illustrations.

Bobby cycles away his frustrations at William. He probably has no actual destination in mind, he just gets on his bike and goes. But direction is there for him. He goes with the green lights for right or left turns. He stops at the red light and then proceeds on green light, to ride the ferry across the water and continue his cycling.

Eventually, his head is cleared of his anger and frustration and he speedily heads back home where he finds his friend William has also cleared his head of the argument. 

The cover of the book is an enchanting array of various types of bikes and those who ride them. This is the "animals have all the fun" type of book and I dare say I didn't see a human amongst the images. A lot of fun critters engaged in illustrations that portray charming European structures. 



I think this would be a really good book to help you teach a child that sometimes the best way out of a disagreement is to leave and clear one's head. Sometimes you just need to Get On Your Bike. And when you sit down with that little one and read this book to him or her, be sure you take the time to find all the little tiny details in the art - the itty-bitty frog, the lighthouse in the window, the peacock driving a car, the poultry truck, etc. Fun!

About the book: Bobby and William aren’t quite sure how the argument started, but it escalates until William gets so frustrated he tells Bobby to leave. Bobby does just that, hopping on his bike and furiously riding away. As he travels through the city and into the country­side, though, he begins to calm down. Maybe William had a point after all? Bobby bikes back into town, hoping William will for-give him, and discovers that he’s not the only one who wants to apologize.

With mesmerizing illustrations reminiscent of Richard Scarry, this vibrant book offers a sensitive, realistic portrayal of a conflict …and a compromise.

Author and illustrator:
Joukje Akveld is a freelance journalist living in the Netherlands. When she's not writing her own books, she writes about children's books and theatre for newspapers and magazines. In 2016 she won the Silver Slate Pencil Award for A Monkey in the Bathroom: A Zoo in Wartime (Hoogland & Van Klaveren). Visit her website at www.joukjeakveld.com.

Philip Hopman studied at the Rietveld Academy and has illustrated more than 250 books, including A Dog Like Sam, Mikis and the Donkey, and Soldier Bear (all Eerdmans). He lives in the Netherlands.
GIVEAWAY
Eerdmans' is graciously providing 1 copy for 1 winner.
Begins February 24
Ends March 17 @ 12:01 a.m. EST
a Rafflecopter giveaway
DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy from Eerdmans' Publishing to facilitate this review. Opinions are my own and are freely given.

16 comments:

  1. "(1) What young readers book would you like to have?" "Plume" has a very cool cat on the cover!

    "(2) What Young Readers book would you like to see reviewed here on Chat With Vera?" "The Rabbit and the Shadow" sounds interesting!

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  2. I would like to have "The Watcher".
    I would like "Nile Crossing" reviewed.
    Marilyn

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  3. I'd like The Queen of the Frogs to be reviewed and given away Rosanne

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  4. I would like to have The Rabbit and the Shadow and would like reviewed Nile Crossing.

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  5. (1) What young readers book would you like to have? The Queen of the Frogs

    (2) What Young Readers book would you like to see reviewed here on Chat With Vera? Grandfather Whisker's Table

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    Replies
    1. Peggy, THE QUEEN OF THE FROGS is a lovely and interesting book with levels of interpretation. Here is my review from awhile back. Enjoy! https://chatwithvera.blogspot.com/2017/04/the-queen-of-frogs-by-davide-cali.html

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  6. I would like to get The Life and Times of Martin Luther by Klaus Ensikat, Meike Roth-Beck. I would like to see I Like, I Don't Like
    by Ale + Ale, Anna Baccelliere reviewed here.

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    Replies
    1. Linda, good choice. I reviewed THE LIFE AND TIMES OF MARTIN LUTHER here on Chat With Vera awhile back. Here is the link: https://chatwithvera.blogspot.com/2017/10/the-life-and-times-of-martin-luther-by.html

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  7. I would like to have Plume.
    I'd like to see a review for When a Wolf Is Hungry.

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  8. I would like to get The Right Word. And I would like to see Vincent Van Gogh and the Colors of the Wind reviewed.

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    Replies
    1. Patricia, I reviewed THE RIGHT WORD here on Chat With Vera awhile back. I loved it and my grands loved it, too. Here is link https://chatwithvera.blogspot.com/2014/10/the-right-word-roget-and-his-thesaurus.html

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  9. I would love to see a review on Plume. I would also like to see a review on Holy Spokes too.

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    1. Sally, I reviewed Plume here on Chat With Vera awhile back. Here is link http://chatwithvera.blogspot.com/2017/10/plume-by-isabelle-simler-from-eerdmans.html

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  10. Such a cute and charming looking book. I bet younger kids would adore it!

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  11. Thanks for taking the time out to write this blog, and respond to all the questions. I am inspired! I have been trying to work out for a while now how I can ride with my 3 children (2 almost 4 and 1 just 2) and now it is crunch time as the bigger kids start kindy next year so I have to make a decision, so I can get them to school. Your points on justifying the price are very helpful. I note from your comments above that it is difficult to ride hills, I'm in Gympie Qld and we live in a very hilly area. I'm looking at riding 16 kilometres twice a day at least 2 or 3 days a week then hopefully more if we enjoy it, do you think this bike would handle that? Do you ride in the rain and if so, how wet do the passengers get? Thanks in advance!

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    Replies
    1. Patricia - I can't answer your questions. The book is a children's picture book and is adorably illustrated. Essentially the story is about clearing one's head after an argument or preventing an argument. Yes, riding one's bike is harder in hilly area. Yes, if one rides in the rain, one will get wet and should wear protective rain wear. This is NOT a book of instruction on how to ride a bike as a means of transportation such as you are asking.

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