Ben Rides On
It’s Friday, so here’s my Perfect Picture Book Friday choice:
Ben Rides On
Author and Illustrator Matt Davies
A Neal Porter Book, 2013
Fiction
Suitable for ages: 2 and up
Themes/Topics: Bullying, Doing the Right Thing, Bicycles
Opening line: Now that he had the bicycle of his dreams, Ben Lukin loved going to school.
Synopsis from Amazon: Ben loves his new bike. In fact, he loves it so much he even likes riding to school (especially if he can take the long way around)! That is, until an encounter with the local bully, Adrian Underbite, leaves Ben bike-less. When Ben discovers where his bike actually is, the reader is in for a dramatic, and literal, cliffhanger.
Will Ben ever be able to get his bike back?
Link to resources: Teaching Students to Prevent Bullying. Here’s a Pinterest board on anti-bullying lessons and crafts. Here are tips on teaching a child how to ride a bike.
Why I like this book: The simple text shares a fun story with a lot of imagination. You’ll know what I’m talking about when you see the pages on his very, very long way to school. Ben rightfully is angry when something happens at the hands of a bully, but in the end he does the right thing. I laughed out loud at some of Ben’s thoughts. This adult reader was amused.
There is a disclaimer on the copyright page saying “In books, kids can do crazy things, like haul Adrian Underbite up a cliff and ride a bicycle without protecting their heads. In real life, you should always remember to wear your helmet when riding your bike.”
Matt Davies is a Pulitzer Prize winning cartoonist. I found this interesting interview about Ben’s bike.
For more PPBF selections, visit Susanna Leonard Hill’s blog.
Hope everyone has a great weekend. We’re off to see the Catching Fire movie on Saturday. Yay for Suzanne Collins’ great Hunger Games series; Hubby, who wants to watch it too; babysitters; and restaurants!