Sunday, July 30, 2023

Wild Blue: Taming a Big-Kid Bike by Dashka Slater & illustrated by Laura Hughes [Review & Giveaway]


My thoughts:  I remember the joy of Christmas morning and seeing my "big girl bike" sitting in front of the Christmas tree. I also remember my dad holding the bike for me and running pell-mell down the sidewalks of the city of Wilmington as I learned to wobble-ride my big girl bike. What joy! 

Years later, my dad gave that same joyful experience to my children when they awoke on Christmas morning and saw their big-kid bikes under Granddad's tree. Then later in the backyard he ran pell-mell in circles with those little riders as they learned to steady their new bikes and stay astride. 

So this little girl in Wild Blue gets her big-girl bike and needs to learn to ride it without support. Her story is different from mine or my children's. Her dad is on the sidelines cheering her on but she likens her bike to a big blue wild stallion. A horse that bucks her off over and over. But she finally captures the wide spirited ride and rides with the wind. 

A charming story of learning to ride.

About the book: In a charming take on a milestone moment, a young girl summons a cowpoke's courage to tame her intimidating new bicycle.

Kayla loves riding her pink pony, a three-wheeled bike, up and down the street, day after day. But then Daddy announces that it's time for a big-kid bike, one with just two wheels. At the store, Kayla selects her mount, but when she tries to ride it, she is thrown--again and again. Can she tame this intimidating set of wheels? Or is the new blue bike just too wild? Tender and relatable, Wild Blue captures the emotions of moving up in the world through an endearing character with a boundless imagination. Despite falls, bumps, and bruises, Kayla takes her time learning the ropes, until she finally has the confidence to let go of her fear, climb back on, and ride again. Her story will delight and reassure readers transitioning from trikes or training wheels and inspire them to manage setbacks with patience and creativity.

GIVEAWAY
Win a copy of "Wild Blue"
Begins July 30
Ends August 18 @ 12:01 a.m. EDT
Open to USA addresses only
a Rafflecopter giveaway
DISCLOSURE: I received a copy of this book to facilitate a review. Opinions are mine, alone and are freely given. Winner's copy is provided and shipped directly to the winner by publisher or publicist. Chat With Vera is not responsible for lost or misdirected prizes.
at 12:00:00 AM
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12 comments:

  1. NancyJuly 30, 2023 at 12:52 AM

    I was actually a young adult when I learned to ride a two wheeled bike.

    Nancy
    allibrary (at) aol (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Vera GodleyJuly 30, 2023 at 11:33 AM

      It's been years (decades) since I've been on a bike. Wonder if I could still ride? Bikes were such a joy to my childhood.

      Delete
  2. MonicaJuly 30, 2023 at 12:19 PM

    When I first learned to ride bike I had travel with the brakes. One day I rode straight into an open garage on the block, it was embarrassing.

    ReplyDelete
  3. jjmon2012July 30, 2023 at 3:56 PM

    Share your experience of learning to ride a BIG KID BIKE. 🚲At 70+ I don't remember learning to ride. But I do remember that I was riding with a group of friends including my younger brother. And he crashed and was bleeding from his forehead. I pushed BOTH bikes home cause he was crying. There was NO way I was going to leave our bikes. And he only got 2 stiches :-)

    ReplyDelete
  4. Melanie BJuly 30, 2023 at 3:59 PM

    I learned how to ride a bike when I was younger, in our garage. I taught myself how to ride one. I've since outgrown my big kid bike, but I wouldn't mind getting a bigger, adult bicycle to ride around with.

    ReplyDelete
  5. kim hansenJuly 30, 2023 at 7:18 PM

    My grandson would enjoy this book.

    ReplyDelete
  6. AnonymousJuly 31, 2023 at 7:03 PM

    I learned to ride a bike when I was about 7 years old. When I got older I received a larger bike.
    Marilyn

    ReplyDelete
  7. MeghanAugust 1, 2023 at 4:39 PM

    I don't remember learning. I just remembering always ding it. LOL

    ReplyDelete
  8. kywaveAugust 4, 2023 at 1:49 PM

    I went to Kettering Park in Littleton where I grew up to learn to ride my Schwinn

    ReplyDelete
  9. dlhaleyAugust 5, 2023 at 9:13 PM

    I don't remember learning how to ride a bike. It was a long time ago.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Nancy PAugust 6, 2023 at 5:43 PM

    I never had my own bike growing up.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Jamie MartinAugust 13, 2023 at 10:37 PM

    It was an adventure, but totally worth it.

    ReplyDelete

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