When Jude finally gets her dream bicycle for her birthday, she faces the challenge of riding it without training wheels. Her friend Sami teases her, claiming that girls don’t know how to ride bikes, but Jude is determined to prove him wrong. This story highlights the joy of learning new skills, overcoming obstacles, and breaking down gender stereotypes. It’s a perfect story for young readers, celebrating perseverance, self-confidence, and the reward that comes with success!

Related

The Complete Halazone Series

The Halazone series comprises 10 stories in a hardcover slipcase. The series follow Jude, her family and friends. Each story explores relatable themes from everyday life. With simple, easy-to-follow narratives and vibrant illustrations, these books are perfect for kids from toddlers to primary, sparking joy and imagination.

I Can

Jude struggles with a speech problem in kindergarten, and when her classmate Samir teases her, it deeply hurts her feelings. Overtime, Jude's confidence grows, and with the unexpected help of her baby brother Zaid, she gradually overcomes her challenge. This heartwarming story shows how ridicule can hurt as much as physical pain.

Watch Out Jude

When Jude falls from a tree and breaks her leg, her journey to recovery begins. This engaging story takes young readers through Jude's experience at the hospital, explaining the process of getting a cast and exploring her feelings throughout. The story reassures children about hospital visits and highlights the power of resilience.

Parent and Teacher guide

As children grow, they are constantly faced with new skills to learn. This story is about learning a new skill and dealing with the difficulties that sometimes arise. It also celebrates success after perseverance and deals with a gender issue. Sami makes fun of Jude when she falls off the bike and proclaims that girls cannot learn to ride a bike like boys. Jude is furious and manages to prove him wrong at the end.

Questions for Discussion:

• When you tried to learn something new, like riding a bike or a sport, how did you feel at first? Was it easy or difficult?
• Have you ever experienced a situation that made you feel embarrassed, like Jude did when she fell off the bike? How did you handle that feeling?
• Is there something that you dream of learning? What is it? How do you plan to learn it?
• What words could you say to a friend who feels frustrated when learning something new?
• Is there a special gift you received on your birthday? What was it? Who gave it to you?

About the Author

Taghreed Najjar was awarded the 2021 Jordanian State Award for children Literature. She has been a several time nominee for the Astrid Lindgren award and a several-time winner and short listee of the Etisalat Prize for Arabic Children’s Literature. Her YA novel Whose Doll is This? Won the YA book of the year (2019). With a portfolio spanning 4 decades, Taghreed – a multifaceted author - writes picture books, middle grade and young adult books. Her picture books have become classics that are read and enjoyed by generations. While her YA novels have found great success in addressing difficult subjects reflecting political and cultural realities in the region. Several of Najjar’s books have been recommended by “White Ravens” and several have been translated to languages including English, Italian, Swedish, Danish, French and Turkish.

About the Illustrator

Lujaina Al-Assil studied Visual Communication and Interior Design at the Faculty of Fine Arts at Damascus University. She has been working in the field of illustration since 1969 and has also supervised the art production in several children magazines in Syria and other Arab countries. Since 2001, she has been the artistic advisor of children's books at the Syrian Ministry of Culture and has hosted six individual painting exhibitions in Syria, Jordan, France, and Italy. In addition to her art exhibitions, Lujaina has taken part and contributed in regional and international books fairs around the world and has presented several lectures and supervised many workshops in the field of children's book illustrations in Italy, Kuwait, Sharjah, Lebanon, Tunis, and Syria. Lujaina Al-Assil passed away on February 29 2024, leaving behind a rich artistic legacy.