Maria Monte
Ellery's Magic Bicycle
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Ages 4 – 7 (Elementary)
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Hardcover, paperback and eBook
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Perfect for read–aloud and bedtime
A touching picture book about a remarkable childhood bond between a little girl and her magic bicycle. With her magical bicycle in tow, they share many wonderful new experiences together and find adventure, love, and friendship, as well as sorrow and loss. When she grows up, Ellery starts to forget her special bond with the bicycle. Will Ellery remember what’s important before it’s too late and the magical bike is lost forever? A story of redemption, Ellery’s struggles, hopes, and triumph serve as an uplifting reminder to parents of their childhood bonds. Young readers will grow to love Ellery’s strong, kind, and compassionate spirit, and will see their own cherished bicycle in a new light.
Teaching Resources
Teaching resources for Ellery's Magic Bicycle have been developed for the United States (Common Core State Standards) and Australia (Australian Curriculum). The resources for both countries are available in the same PDF. Download the resources here.
Book trailer
Praise
Ellery’s Magic Bicycle is an uplifting picture book in which a girl forms a magical friendship that lasts throughout the years.
In Maria Monte’s heartwarming picture book Ellery’s Magic Bicycle, a girl with a bike that seems to heal itself learns a valuable lesson about friendship and gratitude.
The story’s fantasy element is delightfully matter-of-fact, as nobody questions how the bike came to life or where it came from. It simply is—and so is the underlying tenderness that Monte brings to her narrative as Ellery passes through childhood to her “daredevil” teenage years and adulthood.
The book's artwork is excellent, infusing the bicycle with vitality and creating a full-blown
character out of an inanimate object... Ellery's Magic Bicycle is a sweet tale about honoring the best of your past that
young readers should enjoy.
I loved how sweet this story was, how she formed a deep connection with her bicycle and how magical it all was to her. It had beautiful illustrations and was written so sweetly, telling this wonderfully magic story.
Children will love this book and may be drawn in emotionally. The illustrations, done by very talented Zoe Saunders, are marvelous and will hold the interest of the intended audience. This is a book they will want to read over and over again.
There's something life-affirming, something heartening, joyful, about the illustrations and the story. You can't help but adore this purple bicycle that grows with its beloved owner and chooses her companions for her and shares delightful romps with her.
Younger readers will likely relate to Ellery and her kindness towards others. Ellery’s Magic Bicycle is a wonderful story for readers of all ages. It would make an excellent addition to any library.
If I could give this book 10 stars, I would. In my opinion, this should be required reading to all lit students. Maria Monte tells a very short story through very poignant words and Zoe Sanders tells the same story through her amazing artwork.
If you are looking for a short graphic story to tell your kids, then this book serves the purpose. I have a 5 year old boy and, I am definitely going to read this one out.
The book, definitely, deserves 5 stars.