Description
Pedal It! celebrates the humble bicycle and shows you why and how bikes can make the world a better place
From the very first boneshakers to the sleek racing bikes of today, from handlebars to spokes to gear sprockets, bicycles have continued to capture our collective fascination. Not only can bikes be used to power computers and generators, but they can also reduce pollution, promote wellness and get a package across a crowded city—fast! Informative but not didactic, Pedal It! encourages young readers to be part of the joy of cycling.
Recommended Age, Grade, and Reading Levels
- Age:
- 9 to 12
- Grade:
- 4 to 7
- Reading age:
- 9 to 12
Awards
- Short-listed, Rocky Mountain Book Award (RMBA)
- Short-listed, Hackmatack Children’s Choice Book Award
- Commended, Bank Street College of Education Children's Book Committee Best Children's Books of the Year
- Winner, Vancouver Children’s Literature Roundtable Information Book Award
- Commended, Resource Links, The Year's Best Books
- Commended, CCBC Best Books for Kids & Teens, starred selection
- Commended, Ontario Library association (OLA) Best Bets
Editorial Reviews
"Visually appealing...This book would be a great addition to an elementary library as an excellent resource for students learning about the history of cycling and the benefits of using bicycles to man and the environment."
— Resource Links
"Mulder's evolutionary survey of the bicycle is, like the subject in question, a piece of many parts: a cultural history, a course in mechanics, a soupçon of physics, a spotlight on economic class and a springboard for innovation. In a bouncy, friendly tone, she proceeds roughly chronologically, but has no hesitation to follow a thread or a whim, often in colorful boxed asides...Mulder twines the mechanics of bicycles with cultural phenomenon, the environmental benefits of cycling and even the change in women's fashions...A smart, tangy history of our two-wheeled friend."
— Kirkus Reviews
"Opens the door to so many interesting discussions...Filled with beautiful stories and pictures about life in various countries. Children will be amazed by how much a person can carry while bicycling!"
— Christy's Houseful of Chaos blog
"The introduction sets a personal tone that Mulder returns to throughout the book in the many sidebars concerning her experiences and those of her friends and family...The quality of the color photographs is quite good...The book's international focus is valuable, and students will find material here that is both interesting and potentially useful for reports."
— Booklist
"Mulder is a bike enthusiast who has written a hugely entertaining and informative nonfiction book about bicycles...Hang onto your handlebars! Pedal It! is a must-read for kids and adults alike. Now go dust off your bike!"
— CM Magazine
"This very cool tome for inquisitive children shares a brief history of the bicycle, with interesting facts...From Nepal to Kenya and many countries in between, bicycles are enabling people to run home-based businesses and give them pedal power!"
— The International Educator
"Packed with facts, colorful photographs, and personal narratives from the author...which adds flavor and authenticity to the text."
— Library Media Connection
"Launches with a lively history of bicycles...Engagingly written...Filled with fun facts and well-captioned photos that provide alluring glimpses into different cultures and locales."
— School Library Journal
"An excellent book for upper elementary and middle school students. The history of bicycling and the importance of bicycles in emerging nations are clearly presented. The pictures and drawings are clear. The book contains "Bike Facts," extra information which might intrigue the reader. The author also shows many ways that bicycles are used which might not have occurred to the reader. The book contains an excellent resource list and a very good index."
— Southwestern Ohio Young Adult Materials Review Group
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Annotations
Librarian review
Pedal It! How Bicycles Are Changing the World
The author of this book in the Orca Footprint series has translated her passion for cycling into a way of life. Here she explains how bicycles were invented, how they have changed and how they are changing life around the world. She details the history of the bicycle through the velocipede and the high-wheeler to the safety bicycle and the invention of air-filled tires. She looks briefly at the impact on women and at the bicycle mechanics who went on to produce airplanes and cars. Finally she examines the unusual ways bicycles are used from taxis to school buses, from food vending to providing health care, from knife sharpening to powering generators and laptops. Photographs on each page make this book an attractive package.
Source: The Association of Book Publishers of BC. BC Books for BC Schools. 2013-2014.
