MIKE AND THE BIKE Children's Book Review by Carol Goodrow Mike and the Bike by Michael Ward, Illustrated by Bob Thomson I'm listening to the soundtrack from "Mike and the Bike" as I write and I'm having trouble not writing my review in rhyme, but to be sure, I'm tapping the keys with a beat. It's way more fun to type this way. And just like typing - life itself will be more fun for your kids when they celebrate bike riding with "Mike and the Bike". It'll give a beat and rhythm to their love of bike riding. And my teaching tip of the week? TIP Want something to reward your children for a job well done? Then get a copy of "Mike and the Bike", have them sit down and relax, put on the CD and turn the pages as Lance Armstrong and Phil Liggett read to your kids. And don't stop when the story is over. Keep listening as Michael Ward and his young son Tennessee perform their musical score for you. Your kids will be enthralled, inspired and they'll ask to hear it again. But don't replay it right away. Wait until there is another day or week that they deserve a reward.     IN THE CLASSROOM OUR ACTIVITY We tried this in my classroom. We listened, discussed, colored, and sang. The next day the children came in rhyming, humming and chanting, "Mike-bike-Mike-bike." Kids reaction? They all want it!!! In my classroom, we all cycle. Each of us own at least one bike that we ride with a passion. We write stories about our adventures. The kids tell me about dirt-biking on our running trails and I tell them about my trek on the Pan Mass Challenge. Our favorite parts of Mike and the Bike? Many: the rhyming verses, "Mike has a helmet he wears on his head. One night he even wore it to bed...", the Sing Along, the FABULOUS retro-style illustrations, and just plain the character MIKE and his favorite bike. This is an adorable book that's both ageless and timeless. You'll be hooked on the soundtrack and will keep it in your head as you zoom around town. But more than that this book will motivate you to get outdoors, jump on your bike and climb that hill. Who loves it more? The kids or me? Mike and the Bike is Grammy Award-winning guitarist Michael Ward's first children's book. We hope he creates many more. Visit his new children's Web site at MikeandBike.com and get ready to have some online fun. THE SONGS Mike and the Bike Rollin' I Want to Ride Pedal Power Excuse Me, Sir Time to Climb Bikebeat Don't be surprised if Mike and the Bike becomes a household term. It will be hard to stop this production made by a winning team that has the "pedal power" to do great things for our kids. Privacy Policy of Kids Running