Marta and the Bicycle [Hardcover]

Germano Zullo (Author), Albertine (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: P and up

Marta is no ordinary cow. Marta is different (she's orange, for a start). Marta wants something more. She wants to go. She wants to ride. She wants to feel the wind in her face, the pedals under her hooves. She wants to win the big bike race. And when Marta wants something, she makes it happen. But first she has to build a bicycle. And then she has to learn to ride it. Is there enough time before the race?

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

With perfect poker-face kookiness, a Swiss team chronicles how an indefatigable, bicycle-loving bovine named Marta becomes a racing champion. Certain that her owner, Monsieur Gruyere, is too cheesy to buy her a two-wheeler, Marta builds one with parts scavenged from the town dump. Then she patiently teaches herself to ride. "She fell down. A lot. She scraped her hooves. She scraped her horns. She even scraped her tail." (This funny multi-drawing spread also contributes new words to the blooper vocabulary, such as "paf" and "spotch.") Albertine's watercolor-and-ink drawings combine an elegant fine black line with a nonchalantly loopy sensibility. Marta's tiny eyes radiate a cross-eyed determination, and none of the other bikers looks askance at her (perhaps because so many of them have the same chunky physique). Throughout the illustrations, signage appears in its original French-from "Poissonnier" on a fish delivery truck to "Arrivee" at the bike race finish-adding a nifty cosmopolitan touch. Although the trend-setting Marta is ready to move on at story's end ("If everyone is going to ride bicycles, I'll have to find something else," she says, as her fellow herd members balance on two wheels), youngsters will rally for a repeat rendezvous with this slyly funny heroine who refuses to be cowed. Ages 4-8.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

"Marta's indomitable spirit plunging forth into new experiences is hard to resist." --- Kirkus Reviews

"With perfect poker-face kookiness, a Swiss team chronicles how an indefatigable, bicycle-loving bovine named Marta becomes a racing champion… Although the trend-setting Marta is ready to move on at story's end ("If everyone is going to ride bicycles, I'll have to find something else," she says, as her fellow herd members balance on two wheels), youngsters will rally for a repeat rendezvous with this slyly funny heroine who refuses to be cowed." --- Publishers Weekly

"The droll text and loosely drawn illustrations are well matched in this free-spirited Swiss import." --- The Horn Book

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 28 pages
• Publisher: Kane/Miller Book Pub (September 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1929132352
• ISBN-13: 978-1929132355
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 8.6 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,419,951 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Wacky Cow Tale, February 7, 2007

By 

Karen Woodworth Roman "Happy Librarian" (DeKalb, IL) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Marta and the Bicycle (Hardcover)

Marta and the Bicycle by Swiss author Germano Zullo is a tale of great imagination. I had no idea that cows loved to watch trains pass. While the other cows stare in wonder, Marta sees some bicyclists. It is love at first sight. Marta makes her own bike and soon masters riding. What adventures Marta has on that bike. Albertine's illustrations are wacky, charming, and sometimes hilarious. This tale is also available in Spanish as Marta Y La Bicicleta/ Marta and the Bicycle. Karen Woodworth Roman, Reference Librarian

5.0 out of 5 stars A delightful tale!, December 16, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Marta and the Bicycle (Hardcover)

This whimsical story isn't just for kids. It's for anyone who likes bicycles, cows, and/or is named Marta. I bought it for my adult friend named Marta, and she loves it! It has a surprise at the end that makes it a sure-favorite with balloonists also. The illustrations are colorful and funny, and Marta herself is a big hero in the cow community. Don't miss this delightful book!