What do you think?
Rate this book
The Girl and the Bicycle
Goodreads Choice Award
Nominee for Readers' Favorite Picture Books (2014)From the creator of The Boy and the Airplane, a touching wordless picture book about a little girl, a shiny bicycle, and the meaning of persistence—with an unexpected payoff.
A little girl sees a shiny new bicycle in the shop window. She hurries home to see if she has enough money in her piggy bank, but when she comes up short, she knocks on the doors of her neighbors, hoping to do their yardwork. They all turn her away except for a kindly old woman.
The woman and the girl work through the seasons, side by side. They form a tender friendship. When the weather warms, the girl finally has enough money for the bicycle. She runs back to the store, but the bicycle is gone! What happens next shows the reward of hard work and the true meaning of generosity.
Wordless, timeless, and classic, The Girl and the Bicycle carries a message of selflessness and sweet surprises and makes an ideal gift for graduations and other special occasions.
A little girl sees a shiny new bicycle in the shop window. She hurries home to see if she has enough money in her piggy bank, but when she comes up short, she knocks on the doors of her neighbors, hoping to do their yardwork. They all turn her away except for a kindly old woman.
The woman and the girl work through the seasons, side by side. They form a tender friendship. When the weather warms, the girl finally has enough money for the bicycle. She runs back to the store, but the bicycle is gone! What happens next shows the reward of hard work and the true meaning of generosity.
Wordless, timeless, and classic, The Girl and the Bicycle carries a message of selflessness and sweet surprises and makes an ideal gift for graduations and other special occasions.
40 pages, Hardcover
First published April 29, 2014
15 people are currently reading
1592 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 392 reviews
April 14, 2017
To see this and other wordless picture book reviews, please visit www.readrantrockandroll.com
The Girl and the Bicycle by Mark Pett is a wordless picture book for children about a young girl and a new found goal.
As she walks with her little brother, she happens to see a bicycle in a shop window. She scurries home to see how much money she's saved and soon realizes she'll have to find a way to raise the money. She meets a nice lady who could use some help, and once she's earned enough money to purchase the bicycle, she heads back to the shop. Follow along in the story to discover a new friendship and find out if her dreams for a new bicycle come true.
This is a simply illustrated book with a powerful message of selflessness. This story is great for all and I highly recommend it.
5*****
The Girl and the Bicycle by Mark Pett is a wordless picture book for children about a young girl and a new found goal.
As she walks with her little brother, she happens to see a bicycle in a shop window. She scurries home to see how much money she's saved and soon realizes she'll have to find a way to raise the money. She meets a nice lady who could use some help, and once she's earned enough money to purchase the bicycle, she heads back to the shop. Follow along in the story to discover a new friendship and find out if her dreams for a new bicycle come true.
This is a simply illustrated book with a powerful message of selflessness. This story is great for all and I highly recommend it.
5*****
November 23, 2016
This is a picture book in the literal sense: it uses only pictures to tell its story, like the childhood favorite of many, The Snowman. The colorless illustrations (save the bicycle, which is green), are quietly beautiful, clean, and easy to follow. The story also--and most notably--has a pleasant old-time feel to it; the girl covets a simple bicycle; she counts money from a piggy bank; she sets up a lemonade stand and does chores for neighbors; she resembles a young Olive Oyl--all of this portrayed in a sepia color scheme.
There are excellent morals here, and they’ve been told countless times before, so in that sense The Girl and The Bicycle is unoriginal; however, what is in, in spades, is moving, and it most certainly is memorable for so many reasons, not least of which is because it packs such a punch without a single word.
Final verdict: A must-read-now probably most suitable for children ages 4-6.
There are excellent morals here, and they’ve been told countless times before, so in that sense The Girl and The Bicycle is unoriginal; however, what is in, in spades, is moving, and it most certainly is memorable for so many reasons, not least of which is because it packs such a punch without a single word.
Final verdict: A must-read-now probably most suitable for children ages 4-6.
November 21, 2014
I’m not a huge reader of wordless stories for kids. My reads usually need words to whisper, giggle, and tickle the audience. I’ve only come across a few over the years that captured my imagination and love. The Girl and the Bicycle by Mark Pett can be added to that short list. This book hit me right in the heart!
Mr. Pett pulled me in with quiet, simple, plain illustrations of a girl and her plan to earn enough money to buy a bike. A bicycle she has been eyeing in the store window all year. Determination and patience and goodness shine on every page. This story has HUGE heart!
You have to see what this hard working, persistent girl does with her money. She made me proud and so heart happy. :)
Recommended.
August 28, 2015
We loved this book. Loved it, loved it. I checked it out of the library quite a few weeks ago, and it is long overdue. I've only read it to the girls twice though.
I asked Poppy (3) if she wanted to write her first review about the book with me, and she said, "YES!!!" Right after that, Liz told me she loved the book, and has read it with the kids a whole bunch of times - and that it's Gwennie's favorite book that we have from the library right now. I almost invited her along for the review, but she's down practicing piano.
Poppy: That's a lot. A lot a lotta writing, Daddy.
Dad: Hey, hold on, Poppy. Are you ready to start?
Poppy: Mm-Hmmm!
Dad: Did you like the book? Did you like the bicycle book?
Poppy: Mm-Hmmm!
(She was holding another book, and trying to tell me about it. I just handed her this one.)
Dad: What is this book?
Poppy: The bicycle.
Dad: What's the book about?
Poppy: The bicycle went away. Yeah. And the the
This one. (Points to the bike on the cover.) She wanted this bicycle. And she wanted to
Poppy: Are we done?
Dad: Almost. How many stars do you think we should give it?
Poppy: We should give it a lot. A lot.
Dad: We should give it a lot?
Poppy: Mm-Hmm.
Dad: We can give it one, two, three, four, or five.
Poppy: (Whispers loudly): I WANT FIVE!
Dad: You want five?
Poppy: Five.
Dad: Do you want to say anything else?
Poppy: I want to say I love it. That's it.
I asked Poppy (3) if she wanted to write her first review about the book with me, and she said, "YES!!!" Right after that, Liz told me she loved the book, and has read it with the kids a whole bunch of times - and that it's Gwennie's favorite book that we have from the library right now. I almost invited her along for the review, but she's down practicing piano.
Poppy: That's a lot. A lot a lotta writing, Daddy.
Dad: Hey, hold on, Poppy. Are you ready to start?
Poppy: Mm-Hmmm!
Dad: Did you like the book? Did you like the bicycle book?
Poppy: Mm-Hmmm!
(She was holding another book, and trying to tell me about it. I just handed her this one.)
Dad: What is this book?
Poppy: The bicycle.
Dad: What's the book about?
Poppy: The bicycle went away. Yeah. And the the
This one. (Points to the bike on the cover.) She wanted this bicycle. And she wanted to
Poppy: Are we done?
Dad: Almost. How many stars do you think we should give it?
Poppy: We should give it a lot. A lot.
Dad: We should give it a lot?
Poppy: Mm-Hmm.
Dad: We can give it one, two, three, four, or five.
Poppy: (Whispers loudly): I WANT FIVE!
Dad: You want five?
Poppy: Five.
Dad: Do you want to say anything else?
Poppy: I want to say I love it. That's it.
December 5, 2014
Of the children's picture books nominated for the Goodreads awards this year, this is my favorite so far. It's a wordless book simply illustrated, with heart. The drawing is obviously hand drawn and doesn't have the wit and sophistication of some of the others, but this one has the most heart. It has some Chaplin and Gift of the Magi sweetness in it, for sure, and similar moves. A girl wants a bicycle. How will she get it? Sweet, even a little moving. I liked it very much.
December 15, 2014
This one's a keeper, the kind of picture book you want on your family bookshelf for years to come.
A beautiful, pictures-only story of hard work and kindness has been turned into a timeless classic by the naive, old-fashioned illustrations that speak straight to the heart.
So many special things jump out: a little girl's affection for her younger brother shown even in the way she holds his hand; the subtle humour in the images with little brother popping up in random places; the girl's ingenuity and hard work in earning money; the little boy's oblivion to the purpose of their quest but his sister's care that he be included; the little girl soldiering on in spite of disappointment and managing to think of others; and on top of everything the fact that the object of the girl's aspirations is a good old-fashioned bike and not some other useless gizmo.
And for sentimental types like me, it definitely passed the tearjerker test.
www.GoodReadingGuide.com
A beautiful, pictures-only story of hard work and kindness has been turned into a timeless classic by the naive, old-fashioned illustrations that speak straight to the heart.
So many special things jump out: a little girl's affection for her younger brother shown even in the way she holds his hand; the subtle humour in the images with little brother popping up in random places; the girl's ingenuity and hard work in earning money; the little boy's oblivion to the purpose of their quest but his sister's care that he be included; the little girl soldiering on in spite of disappointment and managing to think of others; and on top of everything the fact that the object of the girl's aspirations is a good old-fashioned bike and not some other useless gizmo.
And for sentimental types like me, it definitely passed the tearjerker test.
www.GoodReadingGuide.com
September 1, 2017
A beautiful story told without words. Adults and children will love discussing what is transpiring on each page.
The illustrations are so expressive and even adorable.
A little girl is walking past a toy store with her little brother when she sees a beautiful green bicycle. She must have it, but she doesn't have enough money to buy it. What can she do?
She decides to work for it. After several tries she finally meets a lady who hires her to help around her house. The illustrations show how she helps through the year and if she gets enough money for her bicycle.
There are a few turns and surprises which make the story all the more sweet.
The illustrations are so expressive and even adorable.
A little girl is walking past a toy store with her little brother when she sees a beautiful green bicycle. She must have it, but she doesn't have enough money to buy it. What can she do?
She decides to work for it. After several tries she finally meets a lady who hires her to help around her house. The illustrations show how she helps through the year and if she gets enough money for her bicycle.
There are a few turns and surprises which make the story all the more sweet.
November 7, 2014
Excellent in so many ways, but if you have read, "The boy and the airplane" and pay attention to one particular illustration (hint: it's the only one with red instead of green), you will probably cry.
October 18, 2014
Can a book get more than 5 stars? What a wonderful heart-felt story. Also loved the tiny shout out to Pett's other book: The Boy and the Airplane.
January 24, 2015
SUCH A GREAT STORY. I had goosebumps by the end, not entirely sure if that's because of the temp in the room or if the story was just that heart-warming.
August 11, 2021
This is a wordless picture book that tells a wonderful story about a little girl who works hard doing chores for family and neighbors to save the money to earn enough money for her first bike. But she surprises them all at her decision when she has enough money.
Sweet story that teaches a wonderful lesson to young children.
Sweet story that teaches a wonderful lesson to young children.
May 18, 2014
My new favorite wordless picture book! It made me tear up at the end. I loved every page..but the last 2 pages are the best.
November 8, 2014
you guys. THE FEELS. TEARS. love.
November 9, 2018
Her eyes are on the prize: the shiny green bicycle in the storefront window. Determined to have the bike has her own, the little girl sets out to earn enough money to buy the coveted bike. She searches the couch cushions, opens a lemonade stand, and rakes the leaves from the yard. One friendly neighbor admires the girl’s hard work and provides odd jobs to help her earn the money. As the Fall leaves turn to snow, the girl finally earns enough money to buy the bicycle! She proudly bounds back to the store, but what she discovers when she gets there is shocking. Read The Girl and the Bicycle to find out the girl’s discovery, and if her dreams of owning the beautiful bicycle will come true.
The wonderful thing about this story is that it can be interpreted in many ways because it is a wordless picture book. I use this story to teach my second-grade class how to use a storyteller’s voice in narrative writing. It is so interesting to see how they tell the story differently each year. Pictures can tell such a detailed story if we just look closely.
The wonderful thing about this story is that it can be interpreted in many ways because it is a wordless picture book. I use this story to teach my second-grade class how to use a storyteller’s voice in narrative writing. It is so interesting to see how they tell the story differently each year. Pictures can tell such a detailed story if we just look closely.
Read
December 12, 2017Text-To Teaching
The girl and the Bicycle is a word-less book that can be used for children to tell their own story. By looking at the pictures students will give their account of what is taking place. Students will be able to see the story shape through their words, which can be used as a motivational tool for beginning readers. This reading activity will be recorded on chart paper, and posted in the classroom.
The girl and the Bicycle is a word-less book that can be used for children to tell their own story. By looking at the pictures students will give their account of what is taking place. Students will be able to see the story shape through their words, which can be used as a motivational tool for beginning readers. This reading activity will be recorded on chart paper, and posted in the classroom.
June 16, 2018
Super. Sweet. I love wordless books, and I loved that she worked so hard for her dream and when she couldn’t realize it she bought something for her little brother who was her constant companion. Her thoughtfulness and kind heart was rewarded. Love lit at its finest.
April 27, 2023
Very cute story about a girl and how she works to earn a bike. No words, so you get to involve your kids in telling the story by naming what they see on each page.
December 6, 2017
Oh my goodness. I'm trying to keep the tears in. They don't usually jump to my eyes THAT fast. Such a simple book and yet so sweet. Simple illustrations, but I love them. No words, but so much can be conveyed in those simple illustrations--which is amazing. And that the girls makes a lot of effort to achieve what she wants. Then what she chooses to do at the end--that was sweet right there. But what happened at the very end, oh my word. Still getting tears thinking about it. This feels like a President Monson story in JP form. So, so good. Though they may not be able to tell me everything happening in the pictures, I really want to try this in storytime. We'll see if I can keep from crying!
1/14/15 My first wordless book with this crowd. Granted, it was a more involved one even with its simplicity. They're not as used to calling out what's happening, yet. But I helped them along. I prodded them in what was occurring and who was doing what. It definitely engaged them with the book. They were sorry to see the bike sold, but liked what she did instead. So the kids were happy to see what the older lady did, and the adults seemed to like it as I did. So sweet!
12/6/17 Used in Christmas/holiday: Family theme. This crowd is another one that is not as good at calling things out as far as the stories and books go. No problem with their letters, colors, and numbers. But they are younger as well. So not a problem that I had to do all the telling. It is my job. ;-) Everyone liked it, especially the ending.
1/14/15 My first wordless book with this crowd. Granted, it was a more involved one even with its simplicity. They're not as used to calling out what's happening, yet. But I helped them along. I prodded them in what was occurring and who was doing what. It definitely engaged them with the book. They were sorry to see the bike sold, but liked what she did instead. So the kids were happy to see what the older lady did, and the adults seemed to like it as I did. So sweet!
12/6/17 Used in Christmas/holiday: Family theme. This crowd is another one that is not as good at calling things out as far as the stories and books go. No problem with their letters, colors, and numbers. But they are younger as well. So not a problem that I had to do all the telling. It is my job. ;-) Everyone liked it, especially the ending.
June 11, 2014
wordless...
simple drawings...
few colors...
a story of persistence...
harkening back to the 1940s & 50s of my childhood...
with a fun conclusion to the story.
The girl has her younger brother with her when she sees a new green two-wheeled bicycle in the store window. She needs money in order to buy this bike so she empties her piggy bank, checks her pockets, the dryer, under the couch pillows, only to find that she hasn't enough. She contemplates her options as seriously as a young girl can.
She decides to find work raking leaves. After several disappointing attempts, she is hired. She works, not only raking leaves but any other chore the woman can find for her to do around her home. Finally, the girl has enough money to buy the bicycle. With money in hand, she heads to the store only to find it gone. Surprisingly, she decides to buy her brother a tricycle instead. Without giving the ending away, there is more to the story...and that is all I am willing to say!
The illustrations are simple and so perfectly clear, filled with expression and emotion in a quiet sort of way. Mark Pett has given us a sweet story filled with thoughtfulness, persistence, and love.
Reading Level: 4 - 8 Years
Author/Illustrator
Mark Pett is the “authorstrator” of The Boy and the Airplane and The Girl Who Never Made Mistakes. He is creator of the syndicated comic strips Mr. Lowe and Lucky Cow. He lives in Salt Lake City. You can find more about him and his books @ MarkPett.com.
simple drawings...
few colors...
a story of persistence...
harkening back to the 1940s & 50s of my childhood...
with a fun conclusion to the story.
The girl has her younger brother with her when she sees a new green two-wheeled bicycle in the store window. She needs money in order to buy this bike so she empties her piggy bank, checks her pockets, the dryer, under the couch pillows, only to find that she hasn't enough. She contemplates her options as seriously as a young girl can.
She decides to find work raking leaves. After several disappointing attempts, she is hired. She works, not only raking leaves but any other chore the woman can find for her to do around her home. Finally, the girl has enough money to buy the bicycle. With money in hand, she heads to the store only to find it gone. Surprisingly, she decides to buy her brother a tricycle instead. Without giving the ending away, there is more to the story...and that is all I am willing to say!
The illustrations are simple and so perfectly clear, filled with expression and emotion in a quiet sort of way. Mark Pett has given us a sweet story filled with thoughtfulness, persistence, and love.
Reading Level: 4 - 8 Years
Author/Illustrator
Mark Pett is the “authorstrator” of The Boy and the Airplane and The Girl Who Never Made Mistakes. He is creator of the syndicated comic strips Mr. Lowe and Lucky Cow. He lives in Salt Lake City. You can find more about him and his books @ MarkPett.com.
May 31, 2014
This is another great "wordless picture" book by Mark Pett. He can convey such great stories without saying a single word. This was a story of a girl who really wanted to get a green bicycle. She was very industrious of her pursuit of said object. The book takes you through the hard work that she did to go after the bike. All along her little brother is with her. The story has a very sweet surprising ending and it is very touching.
This is book about hard work, determination, and sacrifice. I loved the message that it conveyed. The illustrations are very artistically rendered. This is a great book.
This is book about hard work, determination, and sacrifice. I loved the message that it conveyed. The illustrations are very artistically rendered. This is a great book.
May 2, 2014
Some wordless picture books work. Some don't. This one is one of the best ones I've seen. A young girl sees a green bike in a shop window and starts saving money for it. She earns some money by helping a neighbor with chores over a course of a year. When she finally has enough money, she goes back to the store to get her bike, only to discover it's been sold. However, there is still a really lovely ending. I'm not embarrassed to admit that my eyes welled up with tears. The illustrations are just beautiful.
June 2, 2014
I don't always go for wordless picture books, but this one is very, very charming.
A girl, with her baby brother in tow, is walking past a shop when she sees a shiny green bicycle. Well, she's completely entranced by it, and devises all sorts of schemes to get the money to purchase it.
The story takes a couple of twists, but there is a happy ending, and this is really a very powerful testament to hard work and generosity.
I think kids and parents alike are going to love this one.
A girl, with her baby brother in tow, is walking past a shop when she sees a shiny green bicycle. Well, she's completely entranced by it, and devises all sorts of schemes to get the money to purchase it.
The story takes a couple of twists, but there is a happy ending, and this is really a very powerful testament to hard work and generosity.
I think kids and parents alike are going to love this one.
Read
May 7, 2014
THE GIRL AND THE BICYCLE
Mark Pett has done it again. The artwork and story of this wordless picture book is soft, heartwarming and captivating. I've always loved the "old world" feel of his illustrations, and the stories he tells have that wholesome, old-fashioned quality and sense that I am drawn to, with that yearning for a simpler time.
November 22, 2014
I love wordless picture books because the words don't get in the way of a good story. Not only that, but each time you "read" it, you get a slightly different story. This picture book for young readers is pretty straight forward in terms of the story line and has lovely illustrations.
July 16, 2015
Lovely book without words. Shows a girl who wants a bicycle and doesn't have enough money to buy it. She then figures out ways to make money to get it. Great ending. Perfect timing for us to look at this book...Jacob is trying to earn money to buy a Star Wars Millennium Falcon lego set.
April 29, 2014
A wonderful wordless delight.
July 15, 2014
So sweet...and I love the connection to The Boy and the Airplane (watch closely for it) which made even more impact for me. A strong addition to the wordless picture book collection.
September 11, 2016
Made me tear up at the end!
August 28, 2014
Sweet little book with a lovely, old timey atmosphere. Not the hugest fan of the message of being rewarded for selflessness. But not not a fan, either...
December 5, 2014
This wordless picture book is evvvvvvvverything that evvvvvvvveryone has evvvvvvvver said about it.
Just lovely. The quickest cry I've had in years.
Just lovely. The quickest cry I've had in years.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 392 reviews