Official Review: Gator Goes By Bike by Keenan Hopson

Post by **bookowlie** » 09 Feb 2016, 11:20

[Following is the official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Gator Goes By Bike" by Keenan Hopson.]

4 out of 4 stars

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Gator Goes by Bike by Keenan Hopson is a children’s picture book about various animals making their commute to work in the same way humans do. Each page depicts a different animal, such as a monkey or zebra, ready to travel to their job. An accompanying page then shows each animal travelling via a mode of transportation. Once they arrive at their destination, the animals are also shown getting ready to start the workday.

This short book is fun and educational. Young children would enjoy seeing animals doing human functions such as piloting a plane and stopping at a newsstand before travelling by train. One of the animals is even shown hailing a taxi on a street corner. The story teaches kids that there are many ways to travel to work, including some they may not have heard of before.

The story can also be used as a tool for beginning readers. It would be easy for them to learn the text since there are only a few words on most of the pages. The format is repetitive which younger children usually love - the name of the particular animal is stated with the following page listing the words “goes by” before the particular transportation word. The pictures would certainly help an early reader figure out the word for each mode of travel used. “Limousine” is the only word in the story that might be difficult for a child to understand or pronounce.

The colorful illustrations contain nice little touches that relate to work and commuting by the specific method of transport. The pig is shown wearing a pilot’s jacket and aviator glasses, the giraffe holds a few file folders, and the hippo has a life jacket on, to name a few. One minor gripe I have is that the artwork of the giraffe’s trip could have depicted the giraffe wearing a seatbelt. The giraffe is shown as a passenger from outside of the limousine; he is sticking his head out of the vehicle. I think it could have been a teachable moment to show the giraffe wearing a seatbelt, in order to reinforce an important safety rule to children. Still, the artwork is a beautiful complement to the story. The cover is also creative, showing a bicycle wheel in place of the “O” in the word Gator.

I give this book a rating of 4 out of 4 stars. The cute, realistic ending wraps up the story nicely and young children would be able to follow the flow of events easily. I would recommend this fun book for children ages five and under, grandparents who keep picture books for family visits, and teachers who use short books for storytime and to teach children to read. It would make a nice addition to any young child's book collection.

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Gator Goes By Bike
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gali · Post by **gali** » 09 Feb 2016, 14:04

Sounds like a cute book for kids. Great review!

Post by **bookowlie** » 09 Feb 2016, 14:22

Thanks Gali! I feel honored to have received your little tip of the hat man.

The book is just so cute with the animals doing human things such as bringing a bag lunch or stopping at a newsstand before travelling by train.

anonanemone · Post by **anonanemone** » 11 Feb 2016, 13:28

This sounds perfect for my 5-year old. Great review, bookowlie! I like the descriptions of the illustrations. Congrats to Mr. Hopson on a neat book with a great review!

Post by **bookowlie** » 11 Feb 2016, 13:38

Thanks! I think kids are very observant and would appreciate the little details in the illustrations. They notice things that we sometimes don't pay attention to!

Shelle · Post by **Shelle** » 11 Feb 2016, 14:23

This sounds super cute! I have a 6-year old and a 2-year old who,likely would both love this book!

Post by **bookowlie** » 12 Feb 2016, 08:16

I think your kids would enjoy this book. Your 6-year-old could even read it to his/her sibling.

kimmyschemy06 · Post by **kimmyschemy06** » 24 Feb 2016, 06:20

Sounds like a very cute, informative and helpful book for children. Great job on the review.

Post by **bookowlie** » 24 Feb 2016, 09:21

Thanks Kimmyschemy! There were so many cute little details in the artwork.

Heidi M Simone · Post by **Heidi M Simone** » 25 Feb 2016, 08:41

Sounds like an adorable little children's book! Nice, detailed review!

Post by **bookowlie** » 25 Feb 2016, 09:17

Thanks Hsimone! I have a feeling my review is longer than the book.

Children usually love books that show animals doing human tasks.

Heidi M Simone · Post by **Heidi M Simone** » 25 Feb 2016, 09:22

Haha! From the way it sounds, you probably did

. You're right, children do enjoy seeing animals acting like humans. If a person makes a sandwich...eh, it's okay. But a monkey making a sandwich? Man, that beats everything