Frank and Bert: The One Where Bert Learns to Ride a Bike - by Chris Naylor-Ballesteros (Hardcover)

About the Book

Bert is certain he can ride his bike as well as Frank, but he's very wobbly. And even when they both try riding Frank's bike it still goes very wrong. Will the best friends make it all the way down from the big hill? Of course! All they need is a little bit of confidence and trust in each other.

Book Synopsis

Frank and Bert want to go on a BIG bike ride.

But there's one little problem.
Bert is very slow and always wobbles.
Uh-oh.
But what if being fast isn't everything?
Maybe - just maybe - Frank will find that by being a kind and thoughtful friend he can give Bert all the confidence he needs . . .

Review Quotes

Frank the fox and Bert the bear ride again-literally.
In Frank and Bert (2023), the pair realized that friendship is more important than winning. In this sweetly funny latest outing, they discover some more truths: Self-confidence can be bolstered by a friend's support, promises need to be kept for trust to develop, and eyes-on-the-road is a good rule. The duo want to ride together, but Bert consistently swerves and crashes. Frank devises "a brilliant plan," pledging to "hold on to [Bert's] bike...while he practices NOT wobbling." This plan works until Frank decides to let go, since Bert is doing so well. Toppled again, an angry, upset Bert abjures bike-riding, but Frank has another idea: a passenger seat. Bert climbs in happily. Soon Frank, exhausted by pedaling the hefty bear up a 90-degree hill, begs Bert to walk. But, newly confident, Bert is sure he can pedal them both down. Frank fears the worst but trustingly gets into the seat, and Bear speeds them safely home: "Of course I did it," he explains, "because you were right behind me all the way." Frank sports a bright blue helmet; Bert's helmet is shocking pink. Frank's two-wheeler is acid yellow, and Bert's comically small bike is chartreuse. Against the animals' subdued brownish fur and the minimal backgrounds, these lively touches pop. Subtle changes in the duo's deadpan expressions convey their feelings.
A touching tale of friendship and shared achievement. (Picture book. 2-6)

--Kirkus Reviews

Another adventure with Frank the fox and Bert the bear. Frank wants to ride on his bicycle. There is just one problem, in that his friend Bert is not good at riding. Frank decides to teach Bert how to ride and it's going well until they reach a very steep hill and Bert eventually falls over some of the ducks near the pond as well as a rabbit. Bert is disheartened about this and gets discouraged. Frank comes up with an idea of steering and holding Bert's bike while he rides. Frank notices that Bert is doing quite fine and decides to let go of the bike, but Bert falls and is quite upset, making the decision never to go on a bike again. This story is as much about negotiating friendship as it is about navigating the learning of a new skill. How the friends support each other, fail one another through miscommunication, and problem-solve are all issues that will resonate for the smallest child. This second book in this series will suit readers of the first one, and remind slightly older readers of Mo Willems's "Elephant and Piggie" books. Children will relate to the characterizations: one of the animals is more animated and outgoing whereas the other animal is a bit timid and possibly shy. The book is told in a lyrical comedic flow with bright illustrations to match. VERDICT Children will enjoy the high jinks and adventures of the animals; this is a solid addition to any library collection.--Annmarie Braithwaite, School Library Journal

Children will enjoy the high jinks and adventures of the animals; this is a solid addition to any library collection--Annmarie Braithwaite, School Library Journal

"A touching tale of friendship and shared achievement. (Picture book. 2-6)"--Kirkus

About the Author

Chris Naylor-Ballesteros is originally from Bradford, England, and studied illustration and graphic design at Bradford College of Art. When his children were small, Chris realized he loved the picture books he read to them - sometimes even more than his children did -?and has since written and illustrated many books. Chris lives with his family and pet dog near Limoges, in France.