The Bicycle Man (Sandpiper) [Paperback]

Allen Say (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 5 and up | Grade Level: K and up | Series: Sandpiper

The amazing tricks two American soldiers perform on a borrowed bicycle are a fitting finale for the school sports day festivities in a small village in occupied Japan.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A delightful story." Kirkus Reviews

About the Author

Allen Say was born in Yokohama, Japan, in 1937. He dreamed of becoming a cartoonist from the age of six, and, at age twelve, apprenticed himself to his favorite cartoonist, Noro Shinpei. For the next four years, Say learned to draw and paint under the direction of Noro, who has remained Say's mentor. Say illustrated his first children's book -- published in 1972 -- in a photo studio between shooting assignments. For years, Say continued writing and illustrating children's books on a part-time basis. But in 1987, while illustrating THE BOY OF THE THREE-YEAR NAP (Caldecott Honor Medal), he recaptured the joy he had known as a boy working in his master's studio. It was then that Say decided to make a full commitment to doing what he loves best: writing and illustrating children's books. Since then, he has written and illustrated many books, including TREE OF CRANES and GRANDFATHER'S JOURNEY, winner of the 1994 Caldecott Medal. He is a full-time writer and illustrator living in Portland, Oregon.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Paperback: 48 pages
• Publisher: Sandpiper (March 27, 1989)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0395506522
• ISBN-13: 978-0395506523
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 9.2 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #739,992 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Allen Say was born in Yokohama, Japan, in 1937. He dreamed of becoming a cartoonist from the age of six, and, at age twelve, apprenticed himself to his favorite cartoonist, Noro Shinpei. For the next four years, Say learned to draw and paint under the direction of Noro, who has remained Say's mentor. Say illustrated his first children's book -- published in 1972 -- in a photo studio between shooting assignments. For years, Say continued writing and illustrating children's books on a part-time basis. But in 1987, while illustrating THE BOY OF THE THREE-YEAR NAP (Caldecott Honor Medal), he recaptured the joy he had known as a boy working in his master's studio. It was then that Say decided to make a full commitment to doing what he loves best: writing and illustrating children's books. Since then, he has written and illustrated many books, including TREE OF CRANES and GRANDFATHER'S JOURNEY, winner of the 1994 Caldecott Medal. He is a full-time writer and illustrator living in Portland, Oregon.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A charming vignette. . ., January 27, 2000

By 

Buck Bauer (ELDERSBURG, MD USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Bicycle Man (Hardcover)

Soon after World War II, in occupied Japan, two American soldiers (we don't learn why they're there or where they're headed) walk onto a Japanese school yard, and one of them delights the assembled students with bicycle-riding tricks. A charming vignette of the personal interaction between a pair of young men and a group of children, strangers with different languages and from different cultures, whose paths cross briefly and will never cross again. Doubly charming to me because my father, a young soldier [though not the man depicted], was there at the time, and could ride the bicycle backwards better than anyone I've ever met.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My son exclaimed "Read it again!!", August 24, 2002

By 

Christine Giglio "Chris at Daoist Traditions" (Asheville, NC USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Bicycle Man (Sandpiper) (Paperback)

My 7 year old son loved this book! Each page reeled him in more: the sports day fun, the soldiers, the appealing black character, the bike tricks. He did not want the story to stop. It has been a long time since he asked me to re-read a book!!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Wonderful Read-Aloud, August 21, 2004

By 

K. Clifton "Ready to Read" (Cumberland, MD USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Bicycle Man (Sandpiper) (Paperback)

My daughter and I loved this book. Not only is it a great way to show that different cultures like to do the same things but it is culturally sound. This book is also a "Reading Rainbow" (PBS Series) book. I also read this book to a bunch of Cub Scouts who were ready to take their "Bicycle Saftey" test and they really enjoyed it. What an enjoyable read.