Bicycle Race

The honored author-illustrator presents an event ignited with the fever of competition, visible in brilliantly hued pictures. In a city park, 12 boys and girls bestride bicycles and, at the starting signal, they're off in a whirl past the statues and spectators. All except Nine. She can't get her wheels to turn. As the other rivals speed along, a friend helps Nine to repair her bike. After agonizing minutes, she zips up to the rear where (first) Eight is winning with One, Three, Two, etc., see-sawing back and forth. Then Three is out front and Nine, Two, Three, Eight et al. pedal furiously to gain the lead. Young readers will be intent on the delayed girl's progress and on the zesty exercise in counting that Crews incorporates in his thrilling story. (36)