Bikes for Sale
What’s inside...
Maurice rides his bike to his shop every day. Lotta rides her bike to collect sticks every day. Both go about their separate routines, unaware of the friendship that awaits them just a few blocks away. But what happens when a branch and a lemon peel get in the way?
Age
3-5
Length
34 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
Maurice
Lotta
Discussion points
What do you think the main characters learned about friendship by the end of the story?
How did the characters' feelings change throughout the book when they faced challenges?
What would you do if you were in a similar situation as Maurice or Lotta?
How do you think bikes helped Maurice and Lotta in their adventures?
If you could add another character to the story, who would they be and why?
Tip: Role play these questions
While discussing the book, emphasize the values of sharing and teamwork shown by the characters.
Encourage your child to relate their own experiences with friendships and how they handle disagreements with friends.
Ask your child to imagine and describe their own adventure with their bike, incorporating elements from the book.
Discuss the importance of perseverance, as demonstrated by the characters when they face obstacles.
Create a fun and interactive environment by acting out some scenes from the book with your child to deepen their connection with the story.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of friendship
Explanation: In 'Bikes for Sale', the characters Maurice and Lotta demonstrate how bonds can form over shared interests, in this case, biking. They overcome obstacles and challenges by supporting each other.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to value and nurture relationships with their peers, recognizing common interests as a foundation for friendship.
Example Lesson: Resilience in the face of setbacks
Explanation: When their bikes initially get wrecked, Maurice and Lotta find ways to repair and reuse parts, demonstrating resilience and problem-solving.
Real-World Application: This teaches children that setbacks can be opportunities for creativity and innovation, encouraging them to persevere through challenges in life.
Example Lesson: Sharing and cooperation
Explanation: As Maurice and Lotta join forces and resources to create a tandem bike, the story showcases the power of sharing and working cooperatively.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of teamwork and how joint efforts can lead to achieving bigger and better outcomes.
Example Lesson: Adaptability to change
Explanation: The characters adapt to their circumstances by building a new bike together, illustrating flexibility and adaptability.
Real-World Application: This can help children understand that being adaptable is valuable when faced with new situations or changes in their environment.