SALLY JEAN, THE BICYCLE QUEEN

An ingenious gal relies upon some old-fashioned self-reliance to solve her pedal woes. Sally Jean, self-proclaimed Bicycle Queen and life-long cycling enthusiast, is devastated when she outgrows her trusty bike. Undiscouraged by the news that she must wait until her birthday for a new one, Sally Jean sets to work on a solution. Although her collection of odd jobs only earns her enough to buy two new tires, Sally’s time as Mr. Mettle’s apprentice in the junkyard bears unexpected fruit as she tackles the job of recycling an old, worn-out bike. Best’s narrative sweeps readers along, with her dynamic text harkening back to tall tales of archetypal heroines of indefatigable spirit. Even more refreshing is her message to young readers in the face of our era’s increasing everything’s disposable mentality: A little elbow grease and a dose of ingenuity can work wonders. Davenier’s full-color watercolor illustrations utilizing bold and invigorating hues tap into the energy of the tale and neatly capture Sally Jean’s big personality. A rousing tale of resourcefulness that is just right to share with readers of both genders. (Picture book. 4-8)