Cantaloupe and honeydo ride a bike

Two friends come together to learn an exciting new skill. Depicted as melons of non-specific gender with googly eyes and flexible stick limbs, Cantaloupe and HoneyDo have different initial responses to Cantaloupe's new bike. Cantaloupe's already fallen off and is too timorous to mount up again, while HoneyDo is wild to put pedal to the metal but, it turns out, clueless about even which way to face. "It can be tricky," warns Cantaloupe. "I have heard that," responds HoneyDo. "But I will practice." Cantaloupe protests, "But you could fall and get hurt!" "Oh, probably. Especially if I am learning. I will wear a helmet to protect my melon." The melons, bike, helmet, and occasional props, such as the pair of Groucho glasses that Cantaloupe dons while explaining what the pedals are actually for, are bright photographed elements to which the author/illustrator has added only a few drawn bits and dialogue balloons. The effect is as light and airy as the banter. A few false starts, falls, and encouraging comments later, both melons have just about caught the knack. Success is sweet, and so, in this first of a projected series, is Boldt's dedication to "all the kids learning to ride a bike (and the parents running behind them)." A delectable depiction of a fruitful relationship.(Picture book. 4-6) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.