Midnight Motorbike

by Maureen Shay Tajsar, Ishita Jain (illustrator)

Imagine Goodnight, Goodnight Construction Site set in the jungle. On a night too hot to sleep, Amma takes her daughter on a magical, moonlit motorbike ride through South India.

In this lush mother-daughter nighttime adventure through the jungles of southern India, debut author Maureen Shay Tajsar enchants the reader with all five senses, offering smells of spicy tea and warm hay, tastes of warm potato dosa, and wind washing over sandaled feet. Debut illustrator Ishita Jain immerses the reader in the deepest blue, the darkest night, and the coziest love, in a book that feels at once like a hug and an adventure. 

There's no better way to be lulled to sleep than tucked against Amma on her motorbike, and a Midnight Motorbike read-aloud is the next best thing. Drawing on the childhood memories of both author and illustrator, this sumtuous treasure is sure to be a new family favorite.

Genres: Picture Books, India, Childrens, Motorcycle, Transport

40 pages, Hardcover

Published April 8, 2025

Reviews

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Eye-enticing artwork, created with gouache, acrylic gouache, crayons, colored pencils, paintbrushes, combs, and other materials, accompanies a story about an unusual journey. The lyrical language in this picture book [3.5 for me!] adds to the story's magic as a young girl takes a motorbike ride with her Amma through the villages and rural parts of South India. The images and words capture the heat present even late at night as well as the mysterious experience of riding through the dark during this unexpected adventure, during which it seems that they "reach the end of the world" (unpaged). Unconditional love seeps through every word and page as the two share these special moments when anything seems possible. There's a nostalgic, almost regretful feel to the story since these moments won't last forever and can't be recaptured. Be sure to check out the Notes from the Author and Illustrator to learn more about the inspiration behind this picture book.

[Tasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

When it is too hot to sleep, Amma takes her daughter for a ride on her motorbike. The two travel through Indian villages heading to the Bay of Bengal. The journey is one of many senses from the bright flowers to the smell of chai and dosas, to the sight of rice flour designs to fool the red ants. There is the smell of the jasmine flower garlands and the beauty of the fabrics in the silk shop. When they reach the bay, there is the huge moon waiting for them and the little girl falls asleep in the moonlight.

This is such an evocative book based on the author’s summers with her mother in rural South India. The story is a mixture of magical motorcycle ride that is dreamlike and connection with India’s sensory experiences of flowers, food and customs. The illustrations are just as lush as a hot night, filled with rich colors that weave a gorgeous nighttime journey.

Just the right bedtime story for hot summer nights. Appropriate for ages 3-5.

[Edie · Rating 5 out of 5]

a lilting text and soft illustrations describe an evening ride with a mother and child in South India. The child is curious, the mother is knowledgeable and comforting and the ride goes smoothly into the night. A delightful and memorable experience for them and the lucky readers/listeners who encounter this special book.

[Caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oof this is a pretty little book about a hot, summer night in India. The lush, jewel toned illustrations convey the setting just as the illustrations convey the breath of fresh air when evening comes after a long hot day. Part of me is tempted to make a round-up of great picture books with families riding motorcycles

[TheRetiredSchoolLibrarian |Mrs. Ferraris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Summary: A dreamy bedtime adventure where a girl and her Amma take a motorbike ride through the moonlit city, celebrating imagination and connection while smelling, seeing, hearing everything around them.

Comments: The illustrations were created with gouache, acrylic gouache, crayons, and colored pencils.

Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗

[Jenna Daucunas · Rating 5 out of 5]

We really enjoyed this book. It brings you right into exploring India by motorbike at night - the sites, sounds, smells! I also love that it's a mother and daughter out riding around. Gorgeous illustrations.

[Melanie Gaum · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC from Edelweiss.

[Shoshanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

So beautiful and so poetic!

[Aolund · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful bed time poem celebrating the a mother's love for her child and the Indian countryside.

Themes: India, Mother, Night
Age range: Toddler-Kindergarten

[Stephanie ((Strazzybooks)) · Rating 4 out of 5]

beautiful artwork. a love letter to Indian nights, under a bright, full moon.

[Y.Poston]

a beautiful mom & daughter adventure

[Kendal.Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

the illustrations perfectly fit the feeling of the story in such an amazing way

[Jessie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really rich illustrations -- all the color, so much to see, and it all conveys night and everything happening in the night so well. The text didn't work quite as well for me.