Wild Blue: Taming a Big-Kid Bike

In a charming take on a milestone moment, a young girl summons a cowpoke’s courage to tame her intimidating new bicycle.


Kayla loves riding her pink pony, a three-wheeled bike, up and down the street, day after day. But then Daddy announces that it’s time for a big-kid bike, one with just two wheels. At the store, Kayla selects her mount, but when she tries to ride it, she is thrown—again and again. Can she tame this intimidating set of wheels? Or is the new blue bike just too wild? Tender and relatable, Wild Blue captures the emotions of moving up in the world through an endearing character with a boundless imagination. Despite falls, bumps, and bruises, Kayla takes her time learning the ropes, until she finally has the confidence to let go of her fear, climb back on, and ride again. Her story will delight and reassure readers transitioning from trikes or training wheels and inspire them to manage setbacks with patience and creativity.

Dashka Slater is an award-winning journalist who writes for such publications as the New York Times Magazine and Mother Jones. The author of many books of fiction and nonfiction for children and adults, she lives in Oakland, California.

Laura Hughes is the award-winning illustrator of Good Night Tiger by Timothy Knapman and many other books for children. Her work is also featured on greeting cards, wrapping paper, and stationery. She lives in Hastings, England.