{"id":42365,"date":"2023-04-06T23:01:04","date_gmt":"2023-04-07T03:01:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sonderbooks.com\/blog\/?p=42365"},"modified":"2023-04-06T23:01:04","modified_gmt":"2023-04-07T03:01:04","slug":"review-of-elena-rides-by-juana-medina","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sonderbooks.com\/blog\/?p=42365","title":{"rendered":"Review of Elena Rides, by Juana Medina"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>Elena Rides<\/em><\/p>\n

by Juana Medina<\/p>\n

Candlewick Press, 2023. 28 pages.
\nReview written March 28, 2023, from a library book.
\nStarred Review<\/p>\n

Oh, this beginning reader is wonderful! Since kids who are learning to read also tend to be kids who have recently learned to ride a bike, the subject matter is perfectly appropriate.<\/p>\n

This is a book about Elena, a young elephant, who is learning to ride a bike.<\/p>\n

And if kids think it’s hard to learn to ride a bike, well, it’s easier for them to balance than it is for an elephant!<\/p>\n

The pictures are delightful. There’s so much joy on Elena’s face each time she gets going. And somehow, Juana Medina makes you believe an elephant actually could balance on a bike.<\/p>\n

But the choice of words is also delightful. Sitting here in my home, I simply had to read the book aloud. This would be perfect in a story time, as each fall has an expressive sound with plenty of drama. Here’s how the book begins:<\/p>\n

Elena wants to ride.
\nElena buckles her helmet.<\/p>\n

She readies,
\nshe steadies . . .<\/p>\n

she pushes,
\nshe pedals!<\/p>\n

She wobbles
\nand bobbles . . .<\/p>\n

KA-BANG!<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

After the first fall, Elena has a look of worried determination. After the second, she does some crying. When a third fall happens after some exhilarating riding, she needs the encouragement of her bird friend to try again. But the book ends with the triumph of the title repeated:<\/p>\n

Elena rides!<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

This seems like a practically perfect easy reader to me. I hope it gets some Geisel love!<\/p>\n

candlewick.com<\/a><\/p>\n

Buy from Amazon.com<\/a><\/p>\n

Find this review on Sonderbooks<\/a> at: www.sonderbooks.com\/Picture_Books\/elena_rides.html<\/a><\/p>\n

Disclosure: I am an Amazon Affiliate, and will earn a small percentage if you order a book on Amazon after clicking through from my site.<\/p>\n

Disclaimer: I am a professional librarian, but the views expressed are solely my own, and in no way represent the official views of my employer or of any committee or group of which I am part.<\/p>\n

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