BIKE ON BEAR a Summer Reading Sensation

BIKE ON BEAR by Cynthea Liu Illustrated by Kristyna Litten.

 New this month, BIKE ON BEAR (Aladdin, June 2, 2015) by Cynthea Liu Illustrated by Kristyna Litten.

JACKETFLAP:

Bear can do almost anything. His one-paw pawstand is perfection. He can solve the trickiest of equations. He can even out-build a brigade of beavers. But the one thing Bear can’t do? Ride a bike.

Bear tries everything to help him learn: library books, training wheels and super-cheers from his fellow animal friends. But all of those fail to get poor Bear on two wheels. The situation is looking unbearable, but an unexpected mishap might be just the thing that propels Bear to bike on!

BIKE ON BEAR is packed with clever, fresh and FUNny ideas; plus add on the illustrations and you get a story that’s both gratifying and hilarious. Picture book readers will enjoy the heart and determination in this story, and picture book writers can use this as a perfect “how-to craft book” (a story problem, try-fails, the rule of threes and the bookending style where the story’s beginning and end match so nicely). BIKE ON BEAR is definitely this summer’s bookstore star.

Kirkus Review: "Bear’s supportive friends and family, along with Litten’s warm-hued, cozy illustrations, drape the story in comfort, even during Bear’s many tumbles and spills.This pivotal childhood milestone is often defined by fear, but this variant is for young brooders everywhere. "

• Age Range: 4 - 7 years
• Grade Level: Preschool - 2
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Aladdin (June 2, 2015)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1481405063
• ISBN-13: 978-1481405065

Buying Links:
Indie Bound:  Buy from an Indie Store
Barnes and Noble
Boulder Bookstore
Tattered Cover
Amazon

Win a Copy of CHAINED by Tweeting a Good Cause! #KidLitForHaiti

Kid Lit for Haiti is so proud and excited to announce that Lynne Kelly will donate a signed and personalized copy of her critically-acclaimed book CHAINED to one winning social media helper.

CHAINED by Lynne Kelly

The story of a boy and an elephant who have a friendship stronger than any lock, shackle, or chain.

Win a copy of CHAINED by Tweeting a Good Cause (take these two steps):

and you’re name will be entered for a chance to win this book:

(1)   Tweet or post on Facebook about Kid Lit for Haiti (and please use the hashtag #KidLitForHaiti)

(2)   Comment on the main link (click here) and tell me under what name and to what social media you shared about this event.

An IDEA for Tweeting includes (and yes, you can simply copy and paste):

 CRITIQUES from Authors/Editors/Agents/Art Directors/Illustrators available on #KidLitForHaiti online auction! at http://bit.ly/10Zv9YZ           

p.s. Lynne will ship this book to winner with a U.S. mailing address. 

More about CHAINED:

“Ten-year-old Hastin’s sister has fallen ill, and his family must borrow money to pay for her care in the hospital. To work off the debt, Hastin leaves his village in northern India to work in a faraway jungle as an elephant keeper. He thinks it will be an adventure, but he isn’t prepared for the cruel circus owner. The crowds that come to the circus see a lively animal who plays soccer and balances on milk bottles, but Hastin sees Nandita, a sweet elephant and his best friend, who is chained when she’s not performing and punished until she learns her tricks perfectly. With the help of Ne Min, a wise old man who seems to know all about elephants, Hastin protects Nandita as best as he can. Still he wonders–will they both survive long enough to escape?”

CHAINED just released in India

REVIEWS:

“Kelly’s fine debut brings the jungles of India to life.” ~ Kirkus

“First novelist Kelly crafts a layered, convincing tale of interspecies friendship between individuals who care for each other within the confines of enslavement.” ~ The Horn Book

“With a well-knit plot, vivid setting, and tightening web of suspense, this novel is both an affecting animal story and a well-paced adventure.” ~ School Library Journal

“…achingly heartbreaking, vivid, and unforgettable.” ~ Library Media Connection

“Kelly’s debut is ultimately a story about hope and the binding ties of human-to-human and human-to animal families and friendships, while touching on issues of animal welfare, child labor, and life in modern India. Ne Min’s secrets—and the question of whether Chanda will survive—will keep middle-grade readers hooked.” ~ Booklist

“…a story that unwraps the heart and asks it to be brave, loyal, and above all, kind.” ~ Kathi Appelt, Newbery Honor winner and New York Times bestselling author of The Underneath and Keeper.

South Asia BookAward Honor
Crystal Kite Award winner

Available now from Farrar, Straus,& Giroux/Margaret Ferguson Books.

Indian edition available from Penguin/PuffinIndia
French edition coming in July 2014 from Bayard
Japanese edition coming in February 2015 from SuzukiPublishing

Return to Main Post