Gail Gibbons is one of my go-to nonfiction authors - this book was very informative, without being overwhelming. The top 3/4 of each page is an illustration (with some labels) and the lower section of the page is text. All riders are pictured wearing helmets (except the very early ones, on velocipedes and pennyfarthings), and there is a page on safety rules. ( )

Gibbons provides us with a history of the bicycle and the evolution of the bicycle from one with no pedals to our modern day bicycle. It also includes directions and diagrams on how to ride a bike and safety rules on the road when riding your bicycle. One example of my favorite diagram is on how to ride a bike where it shows how someone pedals their bike with the use of arrows to point out the movement of the feet. ( )

This book shows how physics works on a very rudimentary level. I think it is considered a survey book because it looks at all different kinds of bicycles and describes how bicycles are used. I think the pictures are really interesting to look at, and help to support the story. The intended audience is for both young and older elementary children, as any child could most likely relate to the story because riding bikes is a common childhood activity. Some of the words are harder to pronounce, which is why I think older elementary children would be able to read it better, but both listening to the story and looking at the pictures would make the story great for younger audiences also. The story also has components of a survey book because it describes different types of bikes, what bikes are used for, what bikes looked like a long time ago, where people ride bikes, and why biking is fun. ( )

This book not only goes over the history of the bicycle but it also includes the different types of bicycles. Not only are bikes for riding outside for fun but also dirt bikes and mountain bikes. The book also includes a guide for taking care of your bicycle.