Gus and Grandpa and the Two-Wheeled Bike

Gus and Grandpa #5

by Claudia Mills, Catherine Stock (Illustrator)

The fifth book in the beloved Gus and Grandpa series

Gus is unimpressed when Ryan coolly stops his sleek five-speed bike with the hand brake. But he's totally nonplussed when Daddy buys him a bicycle like Ryan's. Gus will never give up his training wheels. Enter Grandpa, who wisely removes Gus from the neighborhood and curious eyes for practice, digs out Daddy's old bike for the occasion, and patiently holds that bike as Gus rides it around and around. Gus's ultimate triumph belongs to Grandpa as well, and will be shared enthusiastically by reluctant riders and their supportive families. In Gus and Grandpa and the Two-Wheeled Bike , Claudia Mills and Catherine Stock contribute a gem to the bike-riding genre.

Genres: Picture Books

48 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1999

About the author

Claudia Mills is the author of Nixie Ness, Cooking Star, 7 x 9 = Trouble!, Zero Tolerance, Write This Down, and many other books for children. She was born in New York City in 1954. She received her bachelor's degree from Wellesley College, her master's degree from Princeton University, and a Ph.D. in philosophy from Princeton University. She also received an M.L.S. degree from the University of Maryland, with a concentration in children's literature. She had a second career as a professor of philosophy at the Colorado at Boulder, until leaving that career in 2014 to write full time. She now teaches in the graduate program in children's literature at Hollins University in Roanoke, Virginia. All of her books have been written between 5 and 7 in the morning while drinking Swiss Miss hot chocolate.

http://us.macmillan.com/author/claudi...

Reviews

[(NS) Heatherk]

This is a great realistic fiction book. Gus, a young boy is learning to ride a two-wheeled bicycle. Through several attempts, Gus continues to fall. But, when Grandpa brings out Gus' father's old bicycle, Gus learns and gains confidence. This cute story brings to life the theme of failure and success and most students can make connections to this story.

[Marilyn]

Gus rode on his dad's bike from when he was little and was able to learn to ride it. "Just like me!" said Alissa.

[Dolly]

This is a fun book about growing up and learning new skills that last a lifetime. It's a book about extended family relationships and how sometimes Grandparents are the perfect people to teach their grandchildren something, especially as children get to be at an age where parents just aren't as perfect and infallible as they once thought. I love that it depicts Gus's Grandpa as being fun and active and very involved in his life. He's a good role model and is patient with Gus. Where Gus's parents give him rewards and encouragement, Gus's Grandpa gives him inspiration and confidence.

It's a terrific book and I hope that our girls are inspired to continue their bicycle riding skills this Spring. And I hope that one day I can be an active, loving, and helpful grandparent, just like Gus's Grandfather. We've read several of the books in the Gus and Grandpa series by Claudia Mills and Catherine Stock amd we will certainly look for more of these stories at our local library.

[Stephanie]

Gus and Grandpa are back at it again with this fun and enticing story! When Gus is upset that his dad gets him a new bike, Gus is horrified. No way will he stop riding with training wheels, that's when his motivational grandpa shows up. Bringing out Gus's dad's old bike,Grandpa shows Gus that riding a two wheeled bike isn't so bad anymore! This story contains so much heart within the text and gives the reder a story filled with so much love that they will want to come back to the book again. The text has a cartoon-type of drawing method which gives a fun vibe for the audience again and the text is simple so it won't confuse children.

[Edward Creter]

Gus wants to ride a bike, but it's so hard to break free from the training wheels he's accustomed to, so Grandpa helps in a big and loving way to rid him of the training wheels and ride by himself. A good book of healing as we grow up.

[Nicole]

I actually really liked this one, since it's a thing that basically all kids (where bikes are available and easily assessable) go through. It's one of those stories that deals directly with what kids experience.

[Christi]

good series- i hope my kids have a good relationship with their grandpas like Gus does

[Nora]

MCL. I really liked the part when Grandpa rode Gus's bike and Gus laughed.