Together We Ride - by Valerie Bolling (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

Now in paperback! A loving portrait of a father-daughter relationship and the unforgettable experience of a child's first bike ride.

Learning to ride is no easy feat! But with a little courage, a guiding hand from her dad, and an enthusiastic bark from her pup, one brave girl quickly learns the freedom that comes from an afternoon spent outside on a bike.

Experience the fear, the anticipation, and the delight of achieving the ultimate milestone in this energetic, warm story that celebrates the precious bond between parent and child.

THE JOY OF LEARNING TO RIDE A BIKE: Who can forget the first time they learned to ride a bike? This book is a nostalgic nod for parents and one they will be eager to share with their young one learning how to ride.

FAMILY READ ALOUD: This lyrical, upbeat text is a great fit for story time in any household. Add it to the shelf for readers who enjoy Jabari Jumps, Hair Love, and Ride, Roll, Run: Time for Fun!

PERFECT GIFT FOR DAD: If you're looking for a Father's Day gift or a birthday gift for dad, look no further! Dads will love the child/parent relationship portrayed in these pages!

Perfect for:

• Fans of the hardcover edition of Together We Ride and the companion volume Together We Swim
• Father's Day gift-giving
• Little ones approaching the big milestone of learning to ride a bike
• Parents, grandparents, and caregivers looking for books about bike riding for kids
• Teachers, educators, and librarians

Review Quotes

Booklist Editor's Choice Pick 2022

Horn Book Fanfare 2022 Booklist Pick

"Accompanying the spare, rhyming text that echoes the cadence of Stick Stone by Beth Ferry, the illustrations bring the story to life in detail . . . [Together We Ride is a] positive portrayal of a father/daughter relationship on the day of a milestone; a good addition for all picture book collections."--School Library Journal

"Bolling's brief and inventive rhyming text perfectly conveys the action and emotions involved in an inaugural bike ride. Illustrations extend the appealing story . . . the crowning elaboration on the text is the art's celebration of Black hair: the girl's double Afro puffs proudly poof out below her bike helmet. (Safety first, but this girl is not letting that helmet cramp her style.) . . ."--The Horn Book Magazine, starred review

"Written in spare, rhyming text containing plenty of sight words, the story is told largely through the book's beautiful mixed-media illustrations. Juanita, a Coretta Scott King Award Honoree, creates watercolor-like scenes accented in candy-colored hues and filled with thoughtful details . . . . Featuring a young Black family, [Together We Ride] is a wonderful choice for every collection and an asset in the area of #RepresentationMatters."--Booklist, starred review

About the Author

Valerie Bolling has been an educator for twenty-seven years. Valerie serves as the co-chair of the NESCBWI Equity and Inclusion Team and is a member of SCBWI, the Authors Guild, and NCTE. She lives in Stamford, CT, and you can find her at valeriebolling.com.

Kaylani Juanita illustrates inclusive picture books, such as Ta-Da!, When Aiden Became a Brother, and Magnificent Homespun Brown, for which she received the 2021 Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor Award. Her mission as an artist is to support the stories of the underrepresented and create new ways for people to imagine themselves. She currently lives in Fairfield, CA. You can find her on Instagram @kaylanijuanita.