Elena Rides by Juana Medina
Published by Candlewick Press on March 14, 2023
Pages: 24
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Early Reader
Goodreads

With its joyful cover and positive message, Elena Rides is a great addition to an emerging reader collection. Elena the elephant attempts to ride her bicycle. She rides and wobbles and falls. She rides and tries and falls. She cries. She gets back on and glides and flies and falls. She is about to give up when a little encouragement from a friend sets her upright again, and off she goes. Short and to the point, this book has large, clear illustrations, some fun onomatopoeias, simple, but engaging text, and a relatable message: we try things and we fall, but we get back up and try again. The glee evident on Elena’s face  while successfully riding her bike is infectious and listeners will want to hear this one over and over.

Reviewed by Jill O’Connor, Falmouth Middle School