  | Elena rides Author: Medina, Juana | |
| Price: $17.29 | ||
Summary:
Elena wants to ride her bike. She steadies, she readies. She wobbles, she bobbles ... Learning to ride a bike is hard. But Elena can do it. She just has to try, try again.
Reviews:
Kirkus Reviews (11/15/22)
School Library Journal (+) (01/01/23)
Booklist (05/01/23)
The Hornbook (00/03/23)
Full Text Reviews:
School Library Journal - 01/01/2023 PreS-Gr 1—A determined purple elephant named Elena buckles on her helmet and hops on a green bike, but her confidence falters after taking a few falls. Turns out that learning to ride isn't easy, especially if you are a large elephant trying to balance on a small two-wheeler. It helps to have a caring friend—in this case, a little red bird who offers words and winged gestures of encouragement and support. Spare but engaging prose that includes just a few words or simple sentences per page effectively captures the experience of learning to ride: "She readies, she steadies…she pushes, she pedals! She wobbles and bobbles…KA-BANG!" Uncluttered illustrations in bright, bold colors convey a range of emotions from anticipation and excitement to disappointment and determination. Beginning readers may find some of the vocabulary challenging, but rhythmic text and expressive illustrations provide context, making it easier to follow along. Elena's persistence offers an important message to anyone attempting to master a new skill, including those just learning to read. It might take a "ka-bang," a "ka-plunk," and a "ka-rash," but they won't give up. VERDICT This cheerful story with colorful illustrations will appeal to new readers and to parents looking for a read-aloud about perseverance.—Jenny Andrus - Copyright 2023 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.
Booklist - 05/01/2023 Elena is a young elephant who is determined to master bike riding. She straps on her lime-green helmet, finds her balance, and begins pedaling. Tongue out in concentration, the indigo pachyderm “wobbles and bobbles” before—“KA-BANG!”—she splats on the ground. Up she gets to try again—and again—always with the quiet encouragement of her red-bird pal. The well-designed beginning reader places expressive, thick-lined illustrations against uncluttered, white-and- yellow backgrounds for a supportive, undistracting reading experience. The text itself is a stimulating mix of rhyme, alliteration, repetition, and onomatopoeia that is playfully printed and positioned on the page in a manner that underscores its meaning. Medina also captures the many relatable emotions Elena feels throughout the story, from excitement and determination to frustration and joy. A fresh, new offering for the Elephant and Piggie set. - Copyright 2023 Booklist.
