Once Upon a Motorcycle Dude - Module 1

Once Upon  A  

COOL MOTORCYCLE DUDE

By Kevin O’Malley

Illustrations by Carol Heyer and Scott Goto

Publisehd by Walker Books for Young Readers (2005)

ISBN 9780802789471 - Hardcover
Ages: 6-10

Beware: loud laughs expected!


TALE

Can a girly girl and a cool boy agree on which fairy tale to tell? That’s the problem faced by the two main characters in this book. They need to present a fairy tale for a library project but their differences make this simple task a very hard one. Deciding between a princess and a motorcycle dude, ponies or giants, this two headed fairy tale promises to be full of excitement. The end! “Nuh-uh! See, this is what really happened…”



THOUGHTS

I enjoy it! It is not an easy task to find books which appeal to both girls and boys, especially in the older grades. A co-worker and I read it in two voices and that made the dialogue even more interesting. The vivid color illustrations clearly emulate the feelings and the “conflicts” between the plots.



ABOUT THE AUTHOR

From the website Children's Literature: Author and Illustrator Booking Service at  http://www.childrenslit.com/bookingservice/omalley-kevin.html

Kevin O'Malley has a wild sense of humor that shines in his books and presentations. Originally trained as an illustrator, Kevin made his authorial debut in 1992 with Froggy Went A-Courting, based on a well-known folk ballad (a form that provides much of his inspiration). Kevin said that when he first heard the song, he didn't know what the term "carding" meant. In his mind it conjured up a card game, so that's the spin he put on the story. Froggy is a notorious gangster gambler, and Miss Mousie, his bride-to-be, an owner of a posh gambling nightclub. Needless to say, madcap action ensues.

Since then Kevin has continued to express himself in his books. His works have included tales of a rhinoceros losing his homework, a jewel theft, and a quest to ride a roller coaster. His latest books range from nonfiction to raucous humor, with everything in between. He has always loved drawing and shares his enthusiasm for the medium with his talks with kids in schools. Kevin lives in Baltimore, Maryland, with his artist wife and two sons.

Click here to visit O'Malley's website.


REVIEW

Kirkus Reviews 2005 March #2

“Young readers who have ever been forcibly yoked to a rival for some class project will glory in this contentious oral report. Unable to agree on a folktale to tell their classmates, a lad and lass decide to make it up as they go. She starts, with Princess Tenderheart-rendered by Heyer in flowing silk gowns and blonde tresses-pining for her beloved ponies, which are being stolen one by one by a giant. Gagging, the storyteller's companion proceeds to add a huge dude who roars up on a chopper to provide protection, and to battle a giant that, in Goto's testosterone-soaked oils, is green but far from jolly. Meanwhile, instead of passively sitting by spinning straw into gold, the Princess starts pumping iron . . . and on the tale seesaws, to a more or less happily-ever-after. The unusual collaboration among illustrators works seamlessly, with O'Malley supplying the storytellers, and Heyer and Goto the characters on separate pages or spreads. This disarming, funny and not agenda-driven dig at the hot-button issue of gender differences is likely to excite plenty of giggles-and perhaps some discussion, too. (Picture book. 6-9) Copyright Kirkus 2005 Kirkus/BPI Communications.All rights reserved."

ACTIVITY

After finishing the book you may ask each child to come up with a different ending to this tale.