Kids' Easy Bike Care: Tune-Ups, Tools & Quick Fixes (Quick Starts for Kids!) [Paperback]

Steve Cole (Author), Stephen Cole (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 8 and up | Grade Level: 3 and up | Series: Quick Starts for Kids!

For ages 8+. A clear and detailed guide to bike maintenance, written in an accessible, chatty style. Although the first and last chapters briefly cover road safety, helmet use, equipment, and clothing, most of the book is devoted to describing the parts of a bike, how to keep them functioning well, and how to do repairs. Covering both road and mountain bikes, Cole constantly stresses safety and attention to detail, and offers sound advice about when to rely on a bike shop and the importance of checking your work with an adult when you've adjusted crucial parts such as brakes. The page design is playful yet clean.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 5-9-A clear and detailed guide to bike maintenance, written in an accessible, chatty style. Although the first and last chapters briefly cover road safety, helmet use, equipment, and clothing, most of the book is devoted to describing the parts of a bike, how to keep them functioning well, and how to do repairs. Covering both road and mountain bikes, Cole constantly stresses safety and attention to detail, and offers sound advice about when to rely on a bike shop and the importance of checking your work with an adult when you've adjusted crucial parts such as brakes. The page design is playful yet clean; although the simple cartoon illustrations help to clarify the text, they may not have much appeal for the intended audience. Overall, though, this is an excellent resource, and its step-by-step approach may be easier for younger teens to follow than Richard Ballantine and Richard Grant's Richards' Bicycle Repair Manual (DK, 1994; o.p.).
Lauralyn Persson, Wilmette Public Library, IL
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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Paperback: 64 pages
• Publisher: Williamson Publishing Company (January 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1885593864
• ISBN-13: 978-1885593863
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.3 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.5 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,331,860 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #26 in Books > Children's Books > Sports & Games > Sports > Cycling

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Thank you, Steve Cole!, October 23, 2003

By 

Jennifer Frost (NH United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Kids' Easy Bike Care: Tune-Ups, Tools & Quick Fixes (Quick Starts for Kids!) (Paperback)

This book really tells you everything you need to know about caring for your bike including repairs, tune-ups, safety tips, etc. As other reviewers have said, it's a great resource for adults and kids alike. Sarah Rakitin's illustrations are both cute and helpful. A great addition to anyone's library!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect Gift for Cycling Kids!, November 28, 2003

By 

Josh McCarthy (Somerville, MA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Kids' Easy Bike Care: Tune-Ups, Tools & Quick Fixes (Quick Starts for Kids!) (Paperback)

"Kids' Easy Bike Care" is a wonderful, thoughtful book authored by Steve Cole. Mr. Cole addresses all of the fundamentals of bike ownership and maintenance, and hass thoughtfully geared the book for the inquisitive youngster (and his or her parents) who is about to begin bicycle riding for the first time. From hand signals to the "five step tune-up", Mr. Cole covers all the bases. Moreover, Mr. Cole responsibly emphasizes the importance of "Safety First!", which is a crucial message that needs to be communicated to every child who sets upon a bike. The text of the book, coupled with clear and informative diagrams and illustrations (drawn by Sarah Rakitin), is easy to understand for kids and adults alike.

I believe that "Kids' Easy Bike Care" is a perfect gift (holiday, birthday, or otherwise) for bike-riding kids -- and I would especially encourage parents to purchase this book both for the novice bicyclists within their family, as well as for their own information. While I learned a lot from reading "Kids' Easy Bike Care" as an adult, I would have found this an invaluable resource as a child still learning to ride and take care of my bike. Great work, Mr. Cole!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars SENIOR ADULTS BECAME KIDS AGAIN, August 13, 2003

By 

Dawn Luedecke Jones - See all my reviews

This review is from: Kids' Easy Bike Care: Tune-Ups, Tools & Quick Fixes (Quick Starts for Kids!) (Paperback)

It is evident to me after reading this book, as a senior citizen who just bought a new bicycle, that the contents of this book are not just for kids. It was extremely helpful to both me and my husband who are SENIOR kids. This book would be a very appropriate purchase for anyone regardless of age who owns or is contemplating buying a bicycle. After reading this book, children of ALL AGES would gain the confidence to maintain and use their bicycle safely. This book should be available at all bicycle shops.