Bumblebee Bike

June 1, 2014

PreS-Gr 2-What David sees, David wants. And what is worse, he takes it without asking. He has "borrowed" a number of things from his friends and neighbors and hides them in his closet. Somewhere deep down, he knows what he has done is not right, but that doesn't stop him. Then one morning, he goes out to the garage to get his beloved bumblebee bike, and it's not there. It is then that David realizes what it feels like to have something you treasure taken from you. He returns all of the items to their owners and apologizes. All is forgiven, and the police appear with his bike. Stories like this fail because the message becomes more important than the tale. Didacticism trumps imagination, leading to a less-than-satisfying book with average-quality, full-color art. Consider using Jon Klassen's This Is Not My Hat (2012) and I Want My Hat Back (2011, both Candlewick) for strong stories, fantastic art, and a laugh or two along the way. After the laughter dies down, talking about stealing is inevitable. Likewise, stealing is pivotal in the plot of Tomie dePaola's Strega Nona (S. & S., 1975), but it offers much more than cautionary advice. Because the message is embedded in a rich story, the lesson of honesty is more likely to stick.-Joan Kindig, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA

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