On the island of Habit, there lived a very big creature who was about to go on the ride of his life!
While he'd recently learned to try new things, the very big creature had also learned that he wasn't always very good at everything. It turned out trying was hard! The kind of hard that made him stomp his feet and roar his biggest roar . . . and sometimes even feel like quitting. And learning to ride a bike? That was really hard--every time he tried, he wobbled and fell right off.
But the very big creature wouldn't give up. He might not ever be the best at riding a bike, but maybe--just maybe--he could be the best at trying to ride one. After all, trying was a lot like sticking with something--and he was already an expert at that!
Charming and vibrantly illustrated by award-winning artist Leo Espinosa, Jennifer E. Smith's picture book about a character with big feelings tackles the ups and downs of learning something new with humor, reminding readers to take pride in each effort to try again -- big or small.
Leo Espinosa is a New York Times bestselling illustrator and designer from Bogotá, Colombia. His picture books include The Creature of Habit by Jennifer E. Smith, No More Naps and NO is All I Know! by Chris Grabenstein, Islandborn by Junot Diaz, for which he was awarded a Pura Belpre illustrator award, and The New York Times bestseller The World Belonged to Us by Jacqueline Woodson. Leo's award-winning illustrations have been recognized by American Illustration, Communication Arts, Pictoplasma, 3x3, and the Society of Illustrators. In addition, he has given multiple lectures and workshops at schools and institutions such as Parsons School of Design and Pratt Institute as well as serving on the faculty of the Rhode Island School of Design.
"The message about a change in mindset to tackle a new skill versus needing to be perfect at it from the start is a good one.... Give this one to any kid who is daunted by the proverbial scraped knees in store for them once they try their hand at a new skill." --The Bulletin
"Espinosa's comical digital illustrations enhance Smith's funny, warmhearted story." --The Horn Book