Birth of the Bicycle: A Bumpy History of the Bicycle in America 1819-1900 - by Sarah Nelson (Hardcover)

About the Book

"From the pedal-less, brakeless wooden velocipedes of the 1800s to the sleek racing machines of today, from a luxury for the wealthy to a lifeline for the working class, the bicycle's journey is a study in invention, innovation, and ingenuity. Sarah Nelson's affectionate and poetic tribute covers almost a century of the two-wheeler's development, while Iacopo Bruno's bold, bright artwork illuminates this marvel of engineering. Cycling enthusiasts as well as budding mechanical engineers, inventors, tinkerers, and dreamers will revel in this fact-packed nonfiction adventure story--complete with a time line and other lively back matter designed to remind readers how truly extraordinary everyday objects can be"--Provided by publisher.

Book Synopsis

Three cheers for the birth of the bicycle! Hop on for a jaunty, rhythmic ride through a playfully illustrated history.

From the pedal-less, brakeless wooden velocipedes of the 1800s to the sleek racing machines of today, from a luxury for the wealthy to a lifeline for the working class, the bicycle's journey is a study in invention, innovation, and ingenuity. Sarah Nelson's affectionate and poetic tribute covers almost a century of the two-wheeler's development, while Iacopo Bruno's bold, bright artwork illuminates this marvel of engineering. Cycling enthusiasts as well as budding mechanical engineers, inventors, tinkerers, and dreamers will revel in this fact-packed nonfiction adventure story--complete with a time line and other lively back matter designed to remind readers how truly extraordinary everyday objects can be.

Review Quotes

Nelson recounts the history of the bicycle, beginning with the 1817 invention of the velocipede, an entirely wooden contraption with no pedals or brakes. . . . Bruno's digitally enhanced pencil illustrations make use of bold, bright colors; attention to fine details (particularly in his depictions of period costumes and the early two-wheelers); and scenes that convey both motion and emotion.
--Booklist

The bouncy narrative is rich in specific references to inventors and early mechanisms. In vividly evocative galleries, races, and crowded street scenes, Bruno provides precisely detailed images of huge-wheeled penny farthings and other antique models. . . Wheels out a chapter in the history of technology that merits greater recognition.
--Kirkus Reviews

Polished illustrations by Italian artist Bruno draw immediate attention in this bicycle history. . . . The book, like the bicycle, moves briskly along, tracing a path from luxury item to mode of transportation for the masses.
--Publishers Weekly

A fascinating nonfiction picture book about the history of bicycles. . . . Nelson's simple, poetic lines somehow pack so much information into them, and Bruno's detailed illustrations are nostalgic and gorgeous.
--Book Riot

This lively book begins with wooden velocipedes of the 1800s and concludes with the sleek machines that today have their own dedicated lanes in some cities. . . . Illustrations are wonderful.
--Pioneer Press

About the Author

Sarah Nelson is a poet and author whose titles include Frogness, illustrated by Eugenie Fernandes; A Park Connects Us, illustrated by Ellen Rooney; and the I Like the Weather series, illustrated by Rachel Oldfield. She lives in Minnesota with her family.

Iacopo Bruno is a graphic designer and illustrator whose illustrations can be found in the acclaimed picture books Mesmerized: How Ben Franklin Solved a Mystery that Baffled All of France and Anything but Ordinary Addie: The True Story of Adelaide Herrmann, Queen of Magic, both by Mara Rockliff. He is also the illustrator of Bartali's Bicycle: The True Story of Gino Bartali, Italy's Secret Hero by Megan Hoyt and the School for Good and Evil series written by Soman Chainani. Iacopo Bruno lives in Milan, Italy, with his family.