I would like to begin by saying that as my children are older I have not read the first three books in the series so I am coming at this with fresh eyes and no expectations. I have however seen the covers of the previous titles and will say this one is just as adorable as the others.
Butterflies DO NOT Ride Their Bikes features Zara, a
bright eyed pre-schooler who is fully decked out in butterfly wings and antennae
when Grandpa comes to visit. Grandpa bring a surprise for Zara, a new bike.
What follows is the multi-layered story of a nervous butterfly
who does not want to ride a bike but would like to fly. Along the way there are
ups and downs (literally), some wobbles and a crash. As you can guess Zara eventually
learns to ride but this is not the message I took from this story.
For me this was about the relationship between a Grandfather
and Granddaughter. A gentle connection that is full of love and admiration. Seeing
an elderly person reconnect with their childhood is magical and it is perfectly
represented in this book.
I loved the inclusion of butterfly facts effortlessly
sprinkled throughout the text and the illustrations are the perfect pairing for
this type of story. The uplifting colours and character design could not have been
better. I am a fan of not overcrowding backgrounds so leaving so much white
space ticked all the boxes for me.
I will definitely be searching out the other books in the
series and I suggest you do the same.
Title: Butterflies Do Not Ride Their Bikes
Author: Ali Rutstein
Illustrator: Nina Nill
Publisher: Hardie Grant Publishing
Publication Date: 28 April 2026
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9781761213977
For ages: 3+
Type: Picture book
