Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

The Cycling Wangdoos

Rate this book
The Cycling Wangdoos is an imaginative and fun rhyming tale of an unlikely cycling team and their off-track lesson in teamwork. It will take you on a thrills and spills fun-filled ride from the first page to the surprise ending.

32 pages, Hardcover

First published May 1, 2011

50 people want to read

About the author

Kelly Pulley

160 books34 followers
When Kelly Pulley was very young he dreamed of being a cowboy, unfortunately he didn’t have a horse, a hat or a rope, so his range riding dreams were temporarily corralled. He did have a Deluxe 64-count box of Crayola Crayons with a built-in sharpener — so instead of cow poking, he became an artist.
Now Kelly is a full-time writer and illustrator of children’s picture books. He teaches and entertains kids with his humorous books and inspires them to discover their own creative voices through his YouTube videos. He has illustrated numerous children’s books including many in the Best-selling Beginner’s Bible and Veggie Tales series.

He has authored and illustrated several picture books, including the outlandish and wacky Ten Unusual Features of Lulu McDunn (Gauthier Publishing), and the humorous, Bicycle-themed Bicycling Rules of the Road, and The Cycling Wangdoos, (Schiffer Publishing).

Kelly is also the author of the inspirational Magnificent Tales series, Food for a Fish — The Whopping Story of Jonah and the Whale, Good News of Great Joy — The Amazing Story of Jesus’ Birth, The Biggest and Toughest — The Short Story of David’s Big Faith, Daniel for Lunch — The Tasty Tale of Daniel in the Lion’s Den and Treasury of Bible Stories — Rhythmical Rhymes of Biblical Times (David C. Cook).

Kelly writes, illustrates, films, directs and edits, original stories and poems weekly for his YouTube channel, Kelly Pulley’s Storybook Studio.


His illustrating clients include: Zonderkidz, Worthy-Ideals, David C. Cook, Lifeway, Wiley Publications, United Methodist Publishing House, The Clever Factory, Studio Fun International.

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
21 (52%)
4 stars
11 (27%)
3 stars
6 (15%)
2 stars
2 (5%)
1 star
0 (0%)
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
Profile Image for Fran .
826 reviews946 followers
June 13, 2017
Most children have been exposed to team sports and contests. Football, basketball and hockey come to mind, as well as swimming relays, tug of war and team cycling. The Wangdoos, a six seated cycling team have a renowned winning reputation, but, they are only as successful as their weakest link. The team, seated in size order from largest to smallest, learn the lesson that each member's contribution is needed for overall success. They learn the hard way by getting bumps, lumps and bruised pride.

"The Cycling Wangdoos" is an engaging, humorous book sure to appeal to primary school age children. The artwork is excellent. The use of rhyming words and concept of size order provide multiple teaching opportunities. "The Cycling Wangdoos" by Kelly Pulley would be a welcome addition to any school or home library.

Thank you Schiffer Publishing Ltd. and Net Galley for the opportunity to read and review "The Cycling Wangdoos".
Profile Image for Yesha- Books Teacup and Reviews.
920 reviews159 followers
August 19, 2017
*** Note: I received review copy of this story via Edelweiss. Many thinks to Publishers and author. ***

It is very important to teach children how to work in team with sportsmanship in this competitive world. I liked the beginning of the book telling about what Wangdoo means.

Beautiful colorful illustrations.

I loved their 6 sitter bike and yack on the rack rear. Children will definitely love these pictures. Story was written in rhymes that children would love to read and hear again and again.

The end was funny and at the same time teaching lesson.

It tells about that no one is working more or less or more important than others while working in team and you should put your attitude and egos aside while working in team or it can cost not only to team but also to you and all other individual.

It was kind of story that should be there in kids school library.
Profile Image for Craig Sisterson.
Author 4 books92 followers
June 23, 2017
This is a really terrific book for kids, with the creator hitting the sweet spot of vivid, fun illustrations, text that sounds great read aloud (with rhyme, rhythm, and zany words to keep kiddy interest), and a nice story flowing through the pages. Excellent stuff all around.

Having read a lot of single-creator kids books lately (ie where the author is the illustrator, rather than having a separate author and illustrator) where the pictures have been great but the words just so-so, it was fantastic to find this one, where the words and images are both equally fun and full of life.

This makes THE CYCLING WANGDOOS rise above many of the other kids books out there, for me, as it provides delight for the little readers through things to look at and point out in the fun and colourful illustrations, and also through the sounds of the words being read to them (or them reading aloud themselves, as they get older). Fun squared.

On another level, beyond the fun rhymes and cool pictures, it's also a great tale about teamwork and trying your best - told in a fun rather than preachy way, which will help it sink in even more.

This is a 4+ star read which I'd have no hesitation recommending to friends and family. I can see me and Miss 2 reading and re-reading it lots in future.
Profile Image for Vera Godley.
2,038 reviews60 followers
July 19, 2012
I have a son who is a cyclist and has been for many, many years. He even participated in the 100 mile race to the summit of the tallest mountain in North Carolina - Mt. Mitchell. I also have a daughter who loves to swim, run, and cycle (a tri-athlete). Well, this book is about cycling and a family that cycles.

Kelly Pulley has written a rhyming story about teamwork and pulling together illustrating it vividly with pictures of the family/team that are so funny and that completely express what the characters are experiencing and who they are. Basically speaking, the storyline tells that if one member of the team quits working as a member of the team, it affects the attitude of each of the other team members until finally the team fails and they all suffer the consequences.Ykes! In the case of cycling, the consequences can be rough!

The rhyming cadence is very good but seems to miss a beat here and there. Still very good. I absolutely love picture books with a storyline that has rhyme and reason and rhythm to it (not really the 3'rs but a good 3'rs). Kids will totally see the value of teamwork after reading this.

A very good read-aloud book for children ages 3 to 10. But kids ages 7 to 10 will enjoy reading it aloud themselves. I can see kids of this age really enjoying it, BUT for kids from a family of cyclists, I think the interest would be tremendous.

The Cycling Wangdoos by Kelly Pulley was donated to the school library by Gauthier Publications on behalf of www.FrogLegsInk.com and the author Kelly Pulley. Much appreciation to them for this kind donation.
ISBN: 978-0-9820812-1--1 $16.95
Profile Image for Ryan.
5,934 reviews33 followers
June 16, 2017
It takes practice to work together. And when something is a team event, or a group project the minute one person stops helping things start to fall apart. I like this book, even the ending. The illustrations are funny and the rhymes are catching.
Profile Image for Terry.
3,789 reviews53 followers
Read
September 27, 2018
My daughter giggled her way through this one and loved going back to point out the yak. [I think she just liked saying the word.] The illustrations gave her lots to look at while I read. This is a fun, clever way to teach kids about teamwork. There are a couple of spots where the rhyme seems to get stuck, but all in all, it is easy to read.

To read our full review, go to the Reading Tub.
Profile Image for Janie G.
312 reviews2 followers
June 26, 2017
The Cycling Wangdoos is a beautifully illustrated story about the value of teamwork. The rhyming prose was easy to read and had my six year old and three year old hooked. They both absolutely loved the yak mascot.

The Wangdoos learn a hard lesson about what happens when one doesn't do their share of the work. While the message is very clearly presented to young readers, it never crosses the line of being heavy-handed. Young readers are left to think about how the story is going to unfold, how it could have turned out differently, and how they might react in a similar situation.

The Cycling Wangdoos is a great book to help kids understand their power as an individual in the world as this story and message can be related to any number of circumstances.

I received a digital ARC from the publisher via NetGalley.

Check out the book on the publisher's website for more information. http://www.schifferbooks.com/the-cycl...
Profile Image for Carla.
7,842 reviews183 followers
December 31, 2017
This is a great book for kids. It has everything that makes a great children's book including fun rhyming text, great illustrations and a message to round it all out. My grandson loved this story, especially the yak.

The story starts by telling the reader that the Cycling Wangdoos are a winning team, but they are only as good as their weakest member. When the smallest Wangdoo decides not to pedal anymore, there is a chain reaction ending in bumps and bruises. The illustrations in this book are wonderful. The expressions on the characters and animals are priceless. You also get a bit of a look at the countryside of Tibet. The story itself is silly, yet tells the story in a way that is easy to understand and not preachy. I can see this being a favourite in any household or classroom. One I definitely recommend. The publisher generously provided me with a copy of this book via Netgalley.
Profile Image for Kathy.
2,741 reviews5,977 followers
February 28, 2011
I really enjoyed this picture book and so did my children. Loved both the pictures and the message in this book about teamwork. They rhyming text made for a great read aloud. This is a book I'll keep on our read aloud shelf.

They Cycling Wangdoos by Kelly Pulley will be released in April.

I won a copy of this book via goodreads firstreads.
Profile Image for Kris (My Novelesque Life).
4,694 reviews211 followers
June 18, 2019
RATING: 3 STARS
2017; Schiffer/Schiffer Publishing
(Review Not a Blog)

This is a good story for children to learn about sportsman and doing things as a team, but I am not sure that the story is that entertaining for young kids. At least, I had a hard time finishing this picture book. The illustrations were okay.

***I received an eARC from EDELWEISS***
Profile Image for Nicole.
240 reviews3 followers
September 13, 2017
The Cycling Wangdoos by Kelly Pulley is a beautifully illustrated story about the value of teamwork. The rhyming is tastefully done. I read this book to my students ages 7-12. They really liked this book.

The Wangdoos learn about the importance of teamwork the hard way. Throughout the story the Wangdoos learn that each person has to do their part to keep the bike and success going. The message of the story is evident, which causes young readers to think about the overall message.

This book teaches a great lesson, that no matter how small one contributes to the group as a whole-the group is only as strong as its weakest member. Kids will appreciate the careful, fun illustrations. When one is part of a team, one has to do one’s part no matter what. The rhyming text will surely hold the attention of children and is perfect for reading out loud. I would love to add this book to my classroom library.

I give this book 5/5 stars

Thank you to Schiffer Publishing Ltd. and Shaffer Kids via NetGalley for the opportunity to read and give an honest review of The Cycling Wangdoos.
Profile Image for Amber.
32 reviews2 followers
June 12, 2017
This book was too cute!

I initially requested because of the odd title - and the fact that there was clearly a yak on the back on the bike - I figured my 6 year old would find it rather interesting - and that he did!

I had a little bit of difficulty with reading it on the Nook, as the title of the book was covering some of the words, but I didn't let that stop me from enjoying the story.
It's a really easy read - my 6 year old didn't get caught up on any of the words significantly.
The story rhymes smoothly, and the illustrations are fantastic!
It's a great opportunity to teach kids that they have to work for what they want to achieve in life. The team lost their race because they sat back and let others do the work for them instead of working altogether.
I am not sure if this is the full book - but I feel like it ended in a really strange spot.
Profile Image for Lori Shriver.
523 reviews15 followers
June 25, 2017
When I first viewed the cover, without reading the description, I went into thinking this book was going to be some kind of 'be kind to all animals book'. And it is nothing like that.

I opened this book and immediately the author told me what Wangdoo is and explained the topography of Tibet. As the adorable rhyming begins, we learn many valuabe lessons...don't be selfish... never give up... it only takes teamwork. This is all given to us under the guise of the silliest cycling race I've ever seen. And while we giggle because the illustrations are wonderfully hilarious, it is showing us what can occur when we don't follow bicycle saftey guidelines. This will be useful for part of a storytime hour as well as for classroom discussion. This book is awesome!
'ARC reviewed for Schiffer Publishing Ltd. and New Galley'
Profile Image for Jessi.
5,677 reviews20 followers
October 10, 2017
I read this book with a two- and a five-year-old. There was a little too much text on some of the pages to keep the two-year-old's interest. But they mainly seemed to enjoy the pictures. The theme (teamwork is important) is great and the rhythm of the rhymes was very nice. I'm not sure if my ARC was damaged in some way but the book ended really abruptly; it would have been nice to do a wrap up of realization that everyone was doing their part rather than having the book end at the trophies.
Profile Image for Richelle Zirkle.
2,203 reviews17 followers
June 22, 2017
This is a great book to add to any collection. The rhyming pattern hooked our two boys. I loved that the title stressed the importance of teamwork by showing what happens when each person stops pitching in and doing their part. The colorful illustrations enhance the book and are sure to be a source of laughter.

I received an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Profile Image for ILoveBooks.
977 reviews10 followers
August 27, 2011
The Cycling Wangdoos is an imaginative and fun rhyming tale of an unlikely cycling team and their off-track lesson in teamwork. It will take you on a thrills and spills fun-filled ride from the first page to the surprise ending.

Goodreads Summary



This book teaches a great lesson, that no matter how small one contributes to the group as a whole-the group is only as strong as its weakest member. Kids will appreciate the careful, fun illustrations. When one is part of a team, one has to do one's part no matter what. The rhyming text will surely hold the attention of children and is perfect for reading out loud. This book is perfect for children up to the age of eight.
Profile Image for The Loopy Librarian.
390 reviews38 followers
June 24, 2011
The rhyming text, the unique Wangdoos and their yak, and the overall not-too-preachy message about teamwork make this a great story for children ages 5-8. It also has a rhythmic pace with repetitive phrasing making it a great read-a-loud for family story time. As I read it, I read it out loud so that I could enjoy the sounds. Also the yak mascot is an adorable surprise. (Advance Reading Copy provided by LibraryThing Early Reviewers)
Profile Image for Tracy.
175 reviews51 followers
May 17, 2023
Great kid's (age 5-9) book reminiscent of Dr. Seuss. My kids love to listen to rhyming books and they laughed out loud at this one. The message was good too- that each member of a team needs to pull his weight in order to succeed. Cycling fans will love the illustrations.

I won this as a First Reads Goodreads book. Highly recommend.
Profile Image for Natasha.
57 reviews
September 23, 2011
I won this book from Goodreads.com. this was an excellent children's book basically about pulling your weight. All of the Wangdoo's start out cycling to win the race then one by one decide to let the others work while they rest. Soon no one is cycling and someone else wins. They realize that its easier if everyone does their best and does their job to get it done. Cute for all ages.
Profile Image for Cheryl.
1,520 reviews
interesting-possibilities
February 16, 2011
Loved the title and the cover looks like such fun. Looks like it would be appealing to the children and suitable for AB's class library.

2/17/2011 Not yet AR rated. Not in any library (worldcat)
7 reviews
February 24, 2011
Great read aloud book or for 6-9 year olds. Very Dr. Seussish in rhyme. Great illustrations too. 2 thumbs up!
Profile Image for Tam.
909 reviews18 followers
September 29, 2014
This book has a good message about teamwork but my 7-year-old was bored.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews