The Little Pig, the Bicycle, and the Moon

A pig learns the power of perseverance in this translation of Canadian author Dubé’s whimsical barnyard tale. When Rosie the pig sees a boy (“a small, very ugly animal that had no snout or curly tail”) riding a bicycle, she’s smitten with the machine and makes up her mind to give cycling a try. Her initial nighttime efforts are predictably mishap filled, resulting in a “Bonk!” “Boom!” and “Splash!” But Rosie learns from every practice run, and eventually, with the moon as companion and the unexpected help of a few generous creatures—and some unusual props—she begins pedaling on her own. Successful at last, she rides off into the moonlight, leaving everyone to muse about her final destination. Sketchlike, full-color illustrations by Orbie (Les Vacances) capture the drama of Rosie’s efforts as well as the physical humor of her failures. Set against a gray nighttime palette, pink Rosie, the red bike, and the bright yellow moon stand out, emphasizing the farmyard magic at play. Ages 4–8. [em](Oct.) [/em]