The Little Motorcycle by C. Edward Link

First off, I have my sons' permission to tell Moto they really liked his book. Jsut yesterday, Ethan(6) took it out of the envelope to look at it one more time. My 18 year old dd was almost as impressed as me. She said she wished she'd had The Little Motorcycle when she was babysitting, she knew a couple of those kids would have gone berserk over a whole book about motorcycles.
I don't know much about the sport of motocross, but I appreciate the opportunity to learn a little while reading to my wiggly boys. Even my 8 and 10 year old daughters enjoyed it.
The artwork compliments the story very nicely and gives us plenty to talk about as we were reading. The story itself was great. As a parent, I liked the fact that in this book, winning the race doesn't always mean beating the competition. All this is handled in a non-preachy tone. The large bold text is a plus too. Younger readers sometimes have as much difficulty with small print as older ones.
This book fills a needed niche in the children's book market. Since not all kids want stories about cowboys, astronauts, or sea sponges, a motorcycle story is a great option. Good job Moto!

I'm at a bit of a loss as to how to say thank you Abecedarian. You have really made my day. About all I can do is say Thank You

Now, to clear things up.

Motocross is motorcycles racing on a dirt track that has jumps and such.

What this book is about is roadracing. A paved track that in many cases cars race on too.

You are a doll ABC and make sure you tell your children "thank you" too.

Motokid said:

I'm at a bit of a loss as to how to say thank you Abecedarian. You have really made my day. About all I can do is say Thank You

Now, to clear things up.

Motocross is motorcycles racing on a dirt track that has jumps and such.

What this book is about is roadracing. A paved track that in many cases cars race on too.

You are a doll ABC and make sure you tell your children "thank you" too.

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See, I told you I don't know nuthin 'bout no motorcyles! I had a neighbor who was into motocross when we were in high school and beyond. That's why I thoguht of it. He had his kids highly involved too when they were big enough. His daughter did very well as I recall. I just know he spent his childhood racing around his house and yard(right by our bedroom windows) and interrupting my mom's afternoon naps in the summertime. When his mom would appologize over coffee and canasta, my mom would always say she was just glad he wasn't out being a problem somewhere else! They were great neighbors, so what was a little noise?

When I went to Duckwall's to get a mailing envelope, I showed The Little Motorcycle to the clerk on duty, Vera. Her son lives next door, and I know he's a motorcycle freak. She thought it looked great, and said she had a hard time finding books for him when he was little because there were so few titles for "gear heads" like him. Now he's reading the Little House Books, and Where The Red Fern Grows..

abecedarian said:

When I went to Duckwall's to get a mailing envelope, I showed The Little Motorcycle to the clerk on duty, Vera. Her son lives next door, and I know he's a motorcycle freak. She thought it looked great, and said she had a hard time finding books for him when he was little because there were so few titles for "gear heads" like him. Now he's reading the Little House Books, and Where The Red Fern Grows..

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*cough*web site*cough*

Pouring Moto a dose of Robitussin..
The kid next door is too old for this book, but he would have loved it when he was smaller. However, I will pass along the website to Vera to pass to Kyle's dad for his little stepsisters.

Review by Becca Ciszewski

I for one thought it was fantastic! The way he wrote it,the color ever thing I loved it! I just want to read it over and over again!

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I wanted to let my 9 year old write her own review. She was excited about the whole process. Tonight, she read the book outloud to her brother Andrew, and they both enjoyed it.

Big thanks to Becca, Andrew and Izzy. Big thanks.

See, I TOLD you its a great book!

Motokid, u did a awesome job with this book! My son really enjoyed this book. I normally have a rough time getting him to sit and listen to a whole book...he tends to lose interest fast but everytime I read this one to him he sat the whole time, asking questions and then wanting to look through it himself. My daughter (11 year old) only got one chance to read it and thought it was a good book too! She has been too busy with studies and basketball practices to have too much time for anything right now.

WTG on this book, Moto!!

mom2kngr said:

My son really enjoyed this book. I normally have a rough time getting him to sit and listen to a whole book...he tends to lose interest fast but everytime I read this one to him he sat the whole time, asking questions and then wanting to look through it himself.

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That part...the one right there...what you said....it hits home so hard....I can't hear that enough....THANK YOU SO MUCH.

I say that, it sounds like just to much self-promotion and chest beating...but coming from somebody like you hits the ball right out of the park.

Ever think about sending a book review to "The New York Times" ????

Thank you so much - over and over again.

You are sooo welcome Moto!!

Ever think about sending a book review to "The New York Times" ????

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Is this possible? I have never heard of anyone sending book reviews. I hope I have not just got a giggle out of everyone for asking a silly question like that.

Oh and Moto...we just mailed this book out to the next person and my son just came up to me and asked me where the cycle book was. Ummm I think he enjoyed this book!

I don't know who provides book reviews for newspapers other than ordinary people. Very rarely have I ever heard of a reviewer, and recognize the name.


Your son sounds like my kind of kid.

The Little Motorcycle: Review from a Horror Buff

I know there's not much correlation between the horror genre and books for children, but maybe there should be a market for such a strange combination. After reading The Little Motorcycle, I just might head down that path.

Sure, there were no zombie motorcycles feasting on the broken mufflers and tire tread left from fallen bikes, no vampircycles sucking hot oil from two-wheeled vehicles to survive, and no one died (not even a rider), so why is it I praise this fine book? Because it's a damn good (great) story. It's perfectly written for young 'uns, and is filled with some impressive original vector artwork. I highly recommend it to anyone with kids who enjoy reading, whether or not they have a liking for motorcycles. This book, after all, is not really about motorcycles when you break it down to the basics.

An exceptional book for children, The Little Motorcycle not only entertains, it teaches readers important lessons in life, such as "winning isn't everything" and "coming in second ain't that bad". In a world as pussified as ours, it's great knowing there are writers out there interested in helping to teach our children the importance of setting goals, rising from mistakes, and respect.

I will be ordering many copies of this fine book this year for use as holiday presents for my many nephews and nieces, and will donate copies to local libraries.

The answer to the final page is "Yes".

When is the next race?

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Moto... the stickers, puzzles, and activity pages are great additions to your book. Way to go on the promotion. I wish I was equally motivated.

Geez Michael.....thanks a heap....I have not received your book yet but when I do it'll surely get opened right away....thanks again and if you ever consider writing book reviews for The L.A. Times or something I think you may have a talent for it.

The Little Motorcycle by C. Edward Link
What is there left to say about it? AN excellent book with a main character I have not yet encountered in my library travels. The illustrations are eye-catching from page one. My boys, ages 6 and 2, were interested just by the cover alone. The story held their attention and even added two words to my youngest child's very limited, but growing, vocabulary. My 6 year old's opinion of the book: "Cool!" My 2 year old's reaction to being asked if he wanted me to read the motorcycle book to him: " Oooh, yeah!" All in all, two thumbs up.

The Little Motorcycle

This book captured my imagination the instant I pulled it from the mailer. The graphics, both on the cover and on the pages inside, are bright, clean, and captivating. The turn of each page was like an anticipated event! The pictures drew my attention, but the story kept it.

My daughter is 10, and would be scared to death of a motorcycle, but she actually had empathy for the Little Motorcycle. She became engrossed with the story, and wished it had been longer.

My wife's class of five and six-year olds absolutely loved it! They asked her to read it over and over again.

As a parent, I thought the story was refreshing. I was disappointed that he didn't win the race, and glad that he didn't win, just because he "deserved" a victory. An important lesson is here, in that where we finish is not as important as our effort and our heart. I don't want my children to think that it is "okay" to lose, but I do want them to think that it is okay to give something your absolute best, and not finish first - which is not losing. This book carries that message.

My daughter wants to see a girl motorcycle race with him. Maybe with a pink stripe?



Thanks for sharing this with us!

sirmyk said:

I know there's not much correlation between the horror genre and books for children, but maybe there should be a market for such a strange combination. After reading The Little Motorcycle, I just might head down that path.

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SirMyk...

You should check out the Goosebumps series. Not something I would write, but not bad, either. At least it would give you something to read in the "Youth Horror" genre before you attack it!

Hey, if you still have the book, read the last few pages...look at the bike that wins...look close...and the name of the bike that wins...The name was derived from Aprilia, and Italian racing motorcycle...you and your daughter may be a bit surprised....happily.

And thanks for the review. We'll have to Badass it for sure one day soon.

Motokid said:

Hey, if you still have the book, read the last few pages...look at the bike that wins...look close...and the name of the bike that wins...The name was derived from Aprilia, and Italian racing motorcycle...you and your daughter may be a bit surprised....happily.

And thanks for the review. We'll have to Badass it for sure one day soon.

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I must have been confused... I thought the winner was "Flash"?

I will look more closely.

THANKS!

You say when, and I'll buy the coffee!

Any chance you're a bass fisherman?



(come on, Spring!)