How Mr. Felix Entered a Bicycle Race

by Peter Svetina, Ana Razpotnik Donati (Illustrator)

Slow and Steady Wins the... Fun! Discover the Hilarious Story of Mr. Felix's Unconventional Bicycle Race!

Get ready for an exciting adventure with Mr. Felix, a charmingly eccentric man who stumbles his way into a bicycle race! Forget about speed and competition; Mr. Felix pedals to the beat of his own drum, happily pausing for refreshing lemonade breaks, spontaneous swims in the lake, and delightful detours along the way. Young readers will be captivated by Mr. Felix's carefree spirit and learning that embracing life's little joys and going at your own pace can lead to the most unexpected and delightful victories. Perfect for young readers who love a good laugh and stories that celebrate individuality. How Mr. Felix Entered a Bicycle Race is a heartwarming reminder that sometimes, the best way to win is to simply enjoy the ride!

•A Hilarious Adventure: Join Mr. Felix on his laugh-out-loud journey through a bicycle race unlike any other!
•Celebrates Individuality: Encourages children to embrace their own pace and unique way of experiencing the world.
•Heartwarming Message: Teaches valuable lessons about enjoying the present moment and finding joy in unexpected places.
•Perfect for Story Time:Award-winning writer Peter Svetina's engaging writing and quirky characters make this a delightful read-aloud for families.
•A Fun Twist on Competition: Shows that "winning" isn't always about being the fastest, but about savoring the experience.

Genres: Picture Books

24 pages, Hardcover

Published March 17, 2026

About the author

Peter Svetina se je rodil leta 1970 v Ljubljani. Najprej je na medicinski fakulteti študiral medicino, pozneje pa na filozofski fakulteti doštudiral slovensko književnost in jezik ter magistriral in doktoriral iz starejše slovenske poezije.
Starejšim slovenskim tiskom se ni posvečal samo doma, ampak jih je večkrat iskal tudi drugod, na Hrvaškem, na Danskem, v Angliji. To, da rad hodi okrog in da ga zanimajo stare knjige, se večkrat opazi v njegovih pesmih in zgodbah.
Njegova prva objavljena knjiga je slikanica O mrožku, ki si ni hotel striči nohtov (1999). Kmalu je po zgodbi nastala tudi lutkovna igra. Štiri leta kasneje (2003) se je mrožek pojavil ponovno, in sicer v zgodbi Mrožek dobi očala. Sledile so knjige za otroke in mladino: zgodbe Lila mesto (1999), Vidov angel (2000), pesniška zbirka Mimosvet (2001), detektivki Usodne platnice (2001) in Skrivnost mlečne čokolade (2002), mladinski roman Škržati umolknejo opolnoči (2005). Leta 2001 je izšla tudi pesniška zbirka za odrasle Kavarna v prvem nadstropju, za katero je leto kasneje dobil nagrado za najboljši prvenec. Nekaj pesmi in zgodb je prevedenih v nemščino, angleščino in korejščino.
Ob pisanju za otroke piše tudi strokovne in znanstvene članke o starejši slovenski in mladinski književnosti, o kriminalkah in baladah, prevaja, na univerzi v Celovcu predava slovensko književnost, sodeloval pa je tudi pri pripravi beril za književnost v osnovni šoli.

Reviews

[Rosh (on a medical break) · Rating 3 out of 5]

In a Nutshell: A wacky picture book about an unexpected champion cyclist. Silly but entertaining story. A bit text-intensive. I’m confused about the message. The cover, though lovely, is a bit misleading. Recommended to those looking for humour than morals in picture books.

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Plot Preview:

Mr. Felix is a quirky man who lives alone and on his own terms. He is messy, doesn’t cut his hair often, always wears the same comfortable overalls, braids his long beard, and chats with college students on various topics. So the last thing the townspeople expect is for the laidback Mr. Felix to even participate in the Grand Bicycle Race, forget being an absolute champion at cycling. However, just like everything else, Mr. Felix cycles also on his own terms.

This book was originally published in Slovenian under the title ‘Kako je gospod Feliks tekmoval s kolesom’ in 2016. This English translation is releasing in March 2026.

The title and the cover caught my eye while browsing. Seeing the cyclist smiling joyfully even when topsy-turvy on the grass intrigued me. Unfortunately, that scene is nowhere in the story. Not a major issue, I guess. But when the cover shows Felix on the ground, you kinda expect him to tumble on every page.

Felix is an interesting character with a strange mix of behavioural traits. Usually, such characters are portrayed as misanthropic or introverted, so it is wonderful to see Felix clearly enjoying company and even having many friends in town who accept him with all his eccentricities.

The story is just like Felix: quirky and full of surprises. Some parts reminded me to Aesop’s fable of ‘The Hare and the Tortoise’, but the eventual path taken is clearly different.

Given how casual Felix is about everything, it is a surprise to see him ride fast, faster, fastest on his cycle. But is he really cycling for glory? For acclaim? For the cash prize or trophy? Nope. And that’s where the fun lies. Felix is cycling because he wants to cycle, and he cycles the way he wants, not the way the competition requires.

In a way, I see the appeal of this angle. Living life on our own terms is indeed an admirable thing. However, keeping in mind that this is a children’s book, this message might not really be the best to impart at this age without adding some clauses. What if a child refuses to eat vegetables or do homework simply because it’s not fun and not what they want to do at that time? A certain discipline is essential when tasks are not to our liking. I know the story is meant to be sheer fun. But the parent in me cannot accept such rebellious behaviour easily. 😏

The ending is a bit too abrupt. I’d have loved to see some better reasoning and discussion of consequences, and also to know how Felix could overtake even the fastest competitive cyclist. Even a couple of pages more would have brought this ride to a smoother finish.

Of course, it’s not all negative. There are some really funny scenes in the story, thanks to Felix’s attitude towards life and cycle racing.

Though this looks like an early reader’s picture, book, the story is somewhat text-intensive, with each page having multiple paragraphs of lengthy sentences. There are also some advanced words. The official target age is 5-8 years, but the content might be too heavy for the younger lot.

The illustrations are amazing, and improved my overall experience. It was fun to see not just Felix’s whimsical participation but also the townspeople’s befuddlement at his decisions. Honestly, no AI illustration can match human creativity, and such books prove it. These graphics have a soul.

Overall, I liked the story and loved the illustrations. I wish the quirkiness had been better handled, especially at the end, but to anyone looking for a fun entertainer, the story works.

Recommended to ages 7-8, though they might need assistance with the bigger words.

3.5 stars.


My thanks to Albatros Media for providing the DRC of “How Mr. Felix Entered a Bicycle Race” This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.

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I follow the Goodreads rating policy:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Lifelong favourite!
⭐⭐⭐⭐ - I loved the book.
⭐⭐⭐ - I liked the book.
⭐⭐ - I found the book average.
⭐ - I hated the book.
The decimals indicate the degree of the in-between feelings.

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Connect with me through:
My Blog || The StoryGraph || Instagram || Facebook ||

[Grandma Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the character of Mr. Felix. He definitely marches to the beat of a different drummer. It was easy to get caught up in the moments of the bicycle race. Wonderful illustrations. Highly recommend.

I was blessed with an ARC. The opinions expressed are my own and unbiased. Thank you, NetGalley.

[Addie_bookbanter · Rating 5 out of 5]

A quirky story about following your own path and enjoying life at your own pace. It feels inspired by the tortoise and the hare, but with a twist. It was pretty funny too, all of us laughed at the last scene. The illustrations are well done and entertaining; they match the story perfectly.

[Kimberly (Bookblurbist) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you Netgalley and Albatros Media for this advanced copy of How Mr. Felix Entered a Bicycle Race.

This was silly and fun, with gorgeous illustrations. Recommended for ages 6 and older as some of the passages are lengthy and might not hold the attention of younger readers. Also, the humor built into the narrative is Mr. Felix getting distracted over and over despite being the fastest in the race. I think this would land well with elementary aged readers. I'm a little conflicted on the messaging. While the story is definitely silly and great fun and I do appreciate representing a less competitive mindset. I loved that Mr. Felix was more concerned with the world around him than winning a race. However, I'm conflicted on the messaging that he'd be the fastest biker in the race with no discipline or training. I think this is concerning messaging to upper elementary students as they enter the world of competitive sports. Many kids think a natural talent outweighs the diligence and hard work that goes into professional sports - I do think this book somewhat reinforces that unintentionally. I think with some guidance and just to have fun, this could be a great book for this age range though.

[Lia Anshar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Albatros Media and NetGalley for providing me with the review copy.

Meet the wonderfully quirky Mr. Felix in How Mr. Felix Entered a Bicycle Race by Peter Svetina.

Mr. Felix is a bit unusual, he likes living among boxes in his house and carefully braiding his beard, but his kindness and friendliness make him instantly lovable. One day he accidentally finds himself at the starting line of a bicycle race without a bicycle! Luckily, someone lends him a rusty one, and off he goes.

What follows is a hilarious and heartwarming race where Mr. Felix repeatedly zooms to the front only to get distracted by things like lemonade, a newspaper, or even a refreshing swim in a pond. Winning doesn’t seem nearly as important to him as enjoying the moment.

This charming picture book is full of silliness and a lovely message about slowing down and appreciating life along the way. The illustrations add to the humor and perfectly capture Mr. Felix’s carefree spirit.

The text is a bit longer than typical picture books, making it a great read-aloud for younger age group and a nice read for independent readers around ages 8–9.

A funny, thoughtful story with lots of heart.

Have you ever read a book with such an odd main character?

*Read the full review on my blog (link in bio).

[Aliceson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A goofy story about Mr. Felix and his quirky personality. I thought perhaps it was based on a true story since there were so many interesting details, but it’s entirely a work of fiction. Mr. Felix beats to his own drum, he lives surrounded by boxes and often visits the university to chat with students. One day he enters a bicycle race. He didn’t plan for this, it just kinda happened and the book takes you on his offbeat adventure. You find yourself rooting for Mr. Felix even though you know he likes to do his own thing. There are no women cyclist represented in this book. The illustrations are fun and cartoonish. I felt like the ending was a little bit of a let down, I would have liked 1 more page.

Recommended for K-4th grade. For students who like funny stories or like cycling. Thank you NetGalley for the preview.

[Theediscerning · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun little read, but one that is missing a final bit of oomph and polish to make it great. Mr Felix almost stumbles into competing in a bike race, and is surprisingly fast – until he isn't. But he starts again and gets back in front – but is winning the whole thing what he really wants? In trying to offer something a bit more philosophical than just the need for the win, Mr Felix isn't too bad company, and the art is fine, but there's no killer pay-off to make the ending really work, and if – like the average Brit – you've been brought up to favour the underdog, the conclusion here isn't the one you'd want. Three and a half stars.

[S.A. Krishnan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Four Point Four Stars
Quirky, fun read
The story shines through its quirky, lighthearted story where the readers follow a hero who would much rather stop for lemonade than cycle faster for a trophy. This whimsical spirit is perfectly captured by the lovely illustrations which use vibrant colors and charming details to bring Mr. Felix’s idyllic world to life. It is a truly fun, unconventional read that encourages children to embrace their individuality and enjoy every moment.
Thank you for the e-ArcNetgalley
https://ok-readingcorner.blogspot.com...

[Stephanie White · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a cute little book - I think the thing to take away from it - is that one doesn't need metals or praise from others - at least it was that way from Mr. Felix.

Mr. Felix defintely danced to his own drummer - smart, educated, cares for the environment. And he would make a heck of a bicycle racer - but to him metals and praise aren't the end all be all.

Cute illustrations - and my son loved swimming in the pond :)

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lighthearted story of how Mr.Felix wowed the crowd with his surprisingly fast bicycling skills. The illustrations were done well; the text was clear. All around a refreshing and age-appropriate children's book. I would recommend for children 3.5+ years old. I think this is one that my preschool class would love listening to!
Thank you, Albatros Media, for the advanced e-copy in exchange for my honest review.

[Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was simply fun. It also kind of reminds me of a professor I had a long time ago. Mr. Felix, who works at the college but live simply. One day the students ask “are you going to join the bicycle race” and he says OK. While he manages to come out in front of everybody twice, each time he stops for a break because there’s more to life than winning. This book was simply wonderful. It was a fun read from beginning to end, and the illustrations match its tone and feel perfectly.

[A Robin Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was so much fun! I loved the drawing style. Very beautiful and colourful. Loved to see the diversity in the characters. The story itself was very well done. I really liked the messages behind it. I would have given it five stars, but I do feel like the writing was a bit too difficult for the age this book is for.

[Lisa Davidson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was beautiful because it was unexpected. Mr Felix is going through life, just enjoying himself. He comes across a bicycle race that he didn't know about and he rides really fast-- but then he stops when he feels like it. The illustrations reflect the same calm, humorous mood of the text.
Thanks to NetGalley for letting me read this

[Donna Maguire · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought that this was a fun book to read, the story was really enjoyable! The story was well written and it was easy to read and understand. The illustrations in the book were great, they were nice, bright and colourful and they brought the story to life. It is 5 stars from me for this one - very highly recommended!

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley for our Arc Copy.

I read this with my 2 year old and she was definitely zoning out the text is for a bit of a older audience. We kept stopping to discuss the pictures. But we did enjoy the fact that Mr. Felix could easily have won but he chose to stop and smell the roses and wasn't concerned with winning the race. In her words he is a good guy haha. Gave me very much Turtle vs Rabbit races. The illustrations were lovely.

[Britney Ireland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to #NetGalley for the ARC read of this children's book in return for my honest review and opinion of it.

I enjoyed this book. There is nothing better than sometimes just enjoying life and that is exactly what Mr. Felix did. With that being said yes I liked it and yes I would recommend it because not every childrens book now days needs to be about learning.

[Nitoy Gonzales · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another book that is a breath of fresh air that is not information or moral lesson driven. It's just plain wacky, weird and silly. And the artwork is so soo good!

[Tonja Drecker · Rating 4 out of 5]

With light silliness and moments to make listeners/readers go 'huh', this is a fun read with a lovely message.

Mr. Felix is a bit of an odd person, who loves to live between boxes in his house and likes to carefully braid his beard. But he's not unloved, by any means. When he enters a bike race, people aren't sure what to think, especially since he doesn't have a bike. This isn't really a problem, since someone is more than ready to let him borrow their rusty one. And off he goes! He surprises all onlookers not only with his amazing speed but his constant habit of being distracted. It makes for an intriguing race with onlookers' emotions all over the place.

This is a cute tale with lots of heart. Mr. Felix is odd but lovable. He radiates kindness and friendliness to win over listeners and readers right away. The silliness of the situation is also clear from the get-go, although his sudden speed definitely surprises. It also adds the perfect fuel to keep the extreme back-and-forth going though out. The tale is interesting the entire way through with my only criticism at how quickly and suddenly it ends. Twenty-four pages is short for this type of read, and a few more pages really would have made it sit wonderfully.

Despite the shortness, this isn't a light read for the picture book audience and holds a bit heavier text. It still works great as a read-aloud, even for slightly impatient listeners. Readers, who want to tackle it on their own, will need to have a pretty good handle on their word skills, too. The illustrations also are nicely done and bring the scenes across with fun, letting the moments come across right. Especially Mr. Felix's attitude shines. I received a DRC and wasn't able to view all of the illustrations but most of them.

It's a fun read with a hint of silliness and tons of heart.

[Melanie Dulaney · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mr Felix demonstrates perfectly that there are some things worth more than winning a trophy. Completely unaware of a big bicycle race about to start, he strolls through the racers at the starting line enjoying the day until the starting gun startles him into asking someone about the event. Borrowing a friend’s bike, he decides it might be fun and joins the race, zooming to catch up to the pack of bikers and passing them all to take the lead. But a lemonade and a few minutes with his newspaper seem more important so he takes a little break and then rejoins the racers, once again, zipping to the front. Spectators and commentators are cheering and excited to see a new biking star. But the cool look of a pond distract Mr Felix and he strips down to his underwear and dives in to cool off and enjoy a moment relaxing on the pier telling his friend that he was enjoying the race but couldn’t resist the pond and the opportunity to cool off and enjoy the day.

Love the message and can see all sorts of talking points for caregivers and teachers to bring up with listeners. However, in my arc copy, the first time Mr Felix joins the race, he passes the not so fast and then the fastest and on the next page, he then passes the slow and the not so slow. Seems like some pages got out of order and I hope that is just a mistake in an advance reader copy and will be corrected in the final copy. Should that happen, this is a recommended book for ages 3-9. Probably too many words for the youngest in that range to handle on their own, but 8 and 9 year olds should have no problem.

Thanks for the arc, Edelweiss and Albatross Media.