Dougie Learns to Ride by Douglas Christie, Jr. – review

Learning to ride a bike can be a VERY BIG deal, and it may seem difficult at first, but don’t let it get you down. Practice makes perfect, as Dougie discovers in Dougie Learns to Ride. It’s a wonderful book that is sure to be a big hit with young kids who are taking the first steps to learning how to ride a bike. What’s more, the author is a kid, himself:  Douglas Christie, Jr., the eight-year-old son of the NBA star Douglas Christie (L.A Lakers 1993–2007). It is illustrated beautifully by Jupiter Images and Dotti Albertine, and makes a great gift at Christmas, or anytime.

Do you have a bike yet? Or are you hoping to get one, soon? If so, you can imagine the excitement and happiness that Dougie, the main character in Dougie Learns to Ride, feels when he gets his very first bike–and it’s even yellow, his favorite color! He wants to be able to ride it as soon as he gets it, but sometimes learning to ride a bike takes a little bit of trying, and practice. Sometimes it’s easier to learn if you have the help of your Dad, or Mom, or sister or brother, or a friend. Dougie’s Dad helps him in this book, and gives him encouragement, something we all can use when we’re learning something new.

Still, even with the help of a parent, you might find it hard to ride a bike when you first try. Just be like Dougie, and don’t give up, even if you might fall a couple of times in the beginning. As Dougie’s Dad tells him, “It’s not how many times you fall down that counts, it’s how many times you get back up.” Also remember to be safe when you ride, like Dougie, and always wear your helmet, knee pads, and elbow pads, so if you ever do fall, then you won’t get as badly hurt.

Riding a bike can be very fun. Dougie Learns to Ride by Douglas Christie, Jr., brings out the fun part of learning, as well as the hard part. And when you do finally learn to ride, you will feel proud and happy, just like Dougie does in this book. This is a great book for younger readers, and it’s a fun one for parents to read with their kids. If you have a boy or girl in your house who really wants to have a bike, or you are a boy or girl yourself who wants a bike and is maybe just learning to ride one, you should check this fantastic book out today!