The kid’s bookshelf at the BikePortland Bookstore is growing rapidly. We’ve rounded up a stack of recommendations that have come to us from biking families all over Portland.
These new additions are all picture books and simple story books that will be fun and inspirational for very young kids. Do you have any favorites which don’t appear here? How about bike-related books for older kids and teens?
Via the links below, you can order books to be shipped to you — or better yet, pick them up by bike! Just choose the “In-Store Pickup” option at checkout to have the books held for you at any Powell’s location.
This is all part of our ongoing effort to not just spread knowledge and our love for all things bike (and urban planning, transportation, carfree issues, etc…), but to raise a bit of cash to keep BikePortland in the black.
A wonderful illustrated work by Quentin Blake. Mrs. Armitage has so many ideas for improvements and accessories for her bicycle that the whole thing eventually collapses (but not until she adds the mast and sail). Note: this book ships separately from the UK.
This is the exuberant tale of Sally Jean and her bicycle, “Flash.” They ride everywhere, singing and rhyming. When Sally Jean starts to outgrow Flash she is sad at first –but then learns to build a new bicycle for herself. A reader wrote in about this book: “It’s awesome! My 4-year old daughter was inspired to ride.”
Another great Berenstain Bears book — remember those? This one is heavy on the pictures, low on the text, and offers a colorful parade of bears on one wheel, two wheels, and many more bicycle wheels.
I don’t know much about this title, but it comes highly recommended from a reader. Foreword by Lance Armstrong; and the book comes with an audio CD narrated by sports journalist Phil Liggett.
The inimitable Berkeley Breathed — who has moved on from decades of creating hilarious and sometimes racy political cartoons to a career in children’s books — has drawn and written this story of a lonely boy, living on a Pacific Northwest island, who only wants a Red Ranger Bike for Christmas. And he gets it — but in an unexpected package. This one’s entertaining for you as well as your kiddos.
Angelina is a young mouse who loves riding her bicycle all over town. On her birthday, she and her friend Alice ride to pick up her birthday cake — but she hits a rock and her bicycle is broken! I won’t give away the end.
Duck loves riding a bike, despite scorn from the other animals on the farm. But his example convinces them they can ride too, and they all ride off together. Witty book by a Caldecott Award winning author.
Froggy is the star of a popular kids’ book series, in which he gets dressed, plays soccer, and now…tries out bike riding. He falls off many times, but keeps getting back on, and soon enough he’s having so much fun he doesn’t want to stop riding.
“A thrilling picture book based on the true story of Gustaf Hakannson’s historic bike ride. In 1951, at age 66, Gustaf entered the Tour of Sweden–over the judges’ objections–and, to the delight of his countrymen, finished first!”
A biography for kids aged 6 to 10 about Marshall “Major” Taylor’s youth. As a 13 year old African American in 1890, Taylor battled the odds and went on to become a world champion bike racer.
Gracie has to face her fears and learn to ride a bike in order to participate in the big barnyard race. Part of the “Barnyard Sports Squad” series. Ages 4 to 8.
One in a series of picture books about a shy turtle named Franklin.
Powell’s has an amazing, huge children’s book collection — look for more here.
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Thanks for the recommendations, JJ! I’ll add those into the list.
In case you want to check out the books JJ mentions, here are some partnered links (eg, after you click through them any purchases you make will help support BikePortland…and earn our undying love):
Mike and the Bike (This book looks really cool — and it’s got a forward by Lance)
Major Taylor, Champion Cyclist (First pro African American bike racer — this book follows his early, prodigal career as a teen. Listed for kids age 6 to 10.)
Joe
15 years ago
The Bicycle Man by Allen Say and The Bike Lesson by the Berenstains were both enjoyed by our 3 year old.
jj
15 years ago
I totally forgot to mention that the best part of “Mike and the Bike” is the audio cd that comes with it, with Phil Liggett reading the story!
Linette
15 years ago
“The Bear’s Bicycle” by Emilie Warren McLeod is a really adorable little book, that I think is a must for little readers.
My wife also recommends Mrs Armitage on Wheels, about an eccentric old lady who keeps adding accessories to her bike until it falls apart – http://tinyurl.com/6rvkde.
Excellent, we had a baby girl 10 days ago so this is a nice timely blog for us.
We also love “Mike and the Bike” (http://powells.com/biblio/71-9781594414985-0)
And I’ve been meaning to pick up “Major Taylor, Champion Cyclist” for the boys for ages too (http://powells.com/biblio/2-9780689831591-1)
Thanks for the recommendations, JJ! I’ll add those into the list.
In case you want to check out the books JJ mentions, here are some partnered links (eg, after you click through them any purchases you make will help support BikePortland…and earn our undying love):
Mike and the Bike (This book looks really cool — and it’s got a forward by Lance)
Major Taylor, Champion Cyclist (First pro African American bike racer — this book follows his early, prodigal career as a teen. Listed for kids age 6 to 10.)
The Bicycle Man by Allen Say and The Bike Lesson by the Berenstains were both enjoyed by our 3 year old.
I totally forgot to mention that the best part of “Mike and the Bike” is the audio cd that comes with it, with Phil Liggett reading the story!
“The Bear’s Bicycle” by Emilie Warren McLeod is a really adorable little book, that I think is a must for little readers.
http://powells.com/biblio/61-9780316562065-0
Thanks for the list… another great one is “Messenger Messenger” by Robert Burleigh and illustrated by Barry Root!
I let our 2-year old daughter ‘read’ all my old bike mags (Velno News mostly). We’re often both sitting on the sofa thumbing through an issue.
After a while they get kind of ratty so into the recycle bin they go.
Another great one is Friends by Helme Heine, about a pig, a rooster, and a mouse that ride their bike together. It’s one of my daughter’s favorites.
http://www.powells.com/biblio/7-9780689710834-1
My wife also recommends Mrs Armitage on Wheels, about an eccentric old lady who keeps adding accessories to her bike until it falls apart – http://tinyurl.com/6rvkde.