pedal it! how bicycles are changing the world

 * Winner of the Children’s Literature Roundtables of Canada Information Book Award 2014; shortlisted for a Hackmatack Children’s Choice Award 2015 and a Rocky Mountain Book Award 2015; and selected for Bank Street College of Education Best Children’s Books of the Year 2014, Canadian Children’s Book Centre’s Best Books for Kids and Teens 2013 (starred selection), Ontario Library Association’s Best Bets 2013 and Resource Links “The Year’s Best” 2013

Are bicycles always made of metal? Who invented the bicycle? How many parts does a bicycle have? What is a bicimaquina?

Did you know that bikes can power computers, sharpen knives, perform lab tests and light a building, as well as get a sick person to a hospital or a letter across a big city – fast? Pedal It! celebrates the humble bicycle – from the very first boneshakers to the sleek racing bikes of today, from handlebars to spokes to gear sprockets – and shows you why and how bikes like yours can make the world a better place.

Non-fiction for ages 8+

Reviews

“Mulder’s evolutionary survey of the bicycle is, like the subject in question, a piece of many parts: a cultural history, a course in mechanics, a soupçon of physics, a spotlight on economic class and a springboard for innovation. In a  bouncy, friendly tone, she proceeds roughly chronologically, but has no hesitation to follow a thread or a whim, often in colorful boxed asides … Mulder twines the mechanics of bicycles with cultural phenomenon, the environmental benefits of cycling and even the change in women’s fashions … A smart, tangy history of our two-wheeled friend.”

- Kirkus Reviews

“Michelle Mulder is a bike enthusiast who has written a hugely entertaining and informative nonfiction book about bicycles … The format of Pedal It! is easy to follow, and interesting facts are on every page … Hang onto your handlebars! Pedal It! is a must-read for kids and adults alike. Now go dust off your bike! Highly Recommended.”

- CM Magazine

“Opens the door to so many interesting discussions … Filled with beautiful stories and pictures about life in various countries. Children will be amazed by how much a person can carry while bicycling.”

- Christy's Houseful of Chaos blog

“This very cool tome for inquisitive children shares a brief history of the bicycle, with interesting facts … From Nepal to Kenya and many countries in between, bicycles are enabling people to run home-based businesses and give them pedal power!”

- The International Educator