D.W. Rides Again

Arthur's frisky younger sister passes her tricycle down to baby Kate and hops on a new pink two-wheeler in this light, rather slight caper featuring Brown's cheerful aardvark family (see above). The youngster immediately takes a tumble, and Arthur decides to give her a lesson in bicycle riding and safety. After learning how to ride in traffic, use hand signals and avoid unfriendly dogs, the overconfident D.W. insists that her training wheels be removed. Dad complies with her wishes but quickly recants, and D.W. gets the auxiliary wheels back until she further hones her riding skills. Alas, in a characteristically wry Brown conclusion, it's Dad who has the final biking mishap, and D.W. generously offers him the use of her training wheels. Though not the most memorable of the Arthur adventures, this is good fun--with some worthwhile tips for beginning cyclers. Brown's art is as spunky as ever--especially endearing are the little aardvark ears peeking up through bicycle helmets. Ages 4-8. (Oct.)