Review: The Bicycle

What does a bicycle mean to you?

Do you think of your first time learning to ride with the wind in your face? Do you think about  your first grazed knee? Or do you think about that thing gathering dust in your garage that you think you should probably use more?

Perhaps something else?

Well, let me tell you, this book is something else. It is a celebration of bikes and what they mean to people for a very, very wonderful reason.

In 2008, Colin Thompson visited Cambodia with Save the Children. Struck by the way the humble bicycle was central to so many people lives, he was inspired to create The Bicycle. What he saw were lives forever changed. A bicycle meant that children could now go to school. (the nearest school being too far to walk to every day). It meant an education.

“At first I thought I might stop studying after finishing primary school at Grade six. Luckily, Save the Children gave me a bicycle, which enabled me to continue my study. I am extremely happy.” — Kuyly, 15, Cambodia.

Not only is this a celebration of the bicycle, it is a collection of wonderful illustrators all under one cover! You will see my childhood favourite (and I am sure a few others!) Quentin Blake on the cover. Shaun Tan, Sarah Davis (I think Sarah's contribution might be my favourite), Tony Ross and … could that be Banksy?

By adding this book to your collection, not only do you get a whole range of illustrators in one, but you are helping give back to the charity that inspired it. All the royalties from the sale of this book are being donated to Save the Children. 

There was a quote in here that made me smile that I just have to share.

"When I see an adult on a bicycle, I do not despair for the future of the human race."—H.G. Wells (1866—1946)

Title: The Bicycle
Author: Colin Thompson
Illustrator: Various
Publisher: ABC Books, $27.99 RRP
Publication Date: September 2011
Format: Hardback
ISBN: 9780733329876
For ages: 5+
Type: Picture Book