The Girl and the Bicycle by Mark Pett
The Girl and the Bicycle is the newest wordless picture book from Mark Pett, author of The Boy and the Airplane. Pett's charcoal and watercolor sketches on pages in varying shades of sepia and grays add to the retro style of his illustrations, which perfectly suits this simple story that gives readers a lot to talk about.
Walking down the street, her little brother in tow, our heroine spots something in a store window she can't live without - a snappy green bicycle, the only spot of color in The Girl and the Bicycle. After a quick count of the contents of her piggybank, the washing machine and under the sofa cushions, some serious thinking sets in. Determined to have that bicycle, she sets out to earn the money she needs, knocking on doors, rake in hand. Finally, she finds someone happy to hire her. Sharp eyes will notice that this woman can also be seen walking down the street on the first page.
Hard work on the part of the girl and attention from her "boss" reveal an unfolding friendship. When the girl finally has enough money to buy the bicycle, it's gone. While the ending is somewhat predictable, a surprisingly generous act on the part of the girl makes The Girl and the Bicycle a standout!
Also by Mark Pett:
Source: Review Copy
