Off We Go!

Mole's determination to ride without training wheels vanishes when he wobbles and crashes— but Bear's support convinces him to try again.

A charming story about confidence and perseverance, starring Will Hillenbrand's beloved Bear and Mole.  At first, Mole can't wait to get the training wheels off his bike, but riding is harder than he expects.

"I quit!" he sobs, after his first attempt goes awry. But his dear friend Bear encourages him to get up and try again. It's a bumpy ride—but Mole makes it, all by himself. 
 
Will Hillenbrand's Bear and Mole series is the perfect choice for storytime sharing or reading aloud. Strong verbs, repetitive phrases, and fun-to-read sounds keep young listeners and readers engaged with the story, while the gentle illustrations add detail and quiet humor.  Kids will delight in poring over these books again and again.
 
Don't miss the other Bear and Mole titles, including All For a Dime, Spring is Here, and First Star!* " A good friend will help you prepare for your challenges and will see you through them, as Bear does for Mole in another charming tale in the series from Hillenbrand . . . a terrific choice for a read-aloud from a precocious older sibling to a younger one.  A winner all around."—Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review
 
"Mole’s eagerness, safety regimen, and difficulties will be familiar and comforting to beginning cyclists. The broad, soft outlines, expressive characters, and autumnal palette give the story a gentle tone, even when Mole is wildly careening about. . . . the message of not giving up and working at something is an important one, and there is certainly room for more books on the subject."—School Library Journal
 
"Clipped sentences, onomatopoeic phrases, and the unpredictability of a wayward bike create a fun follow-up about this pair."—Publishers WeeklyWill Hillenbrand has written and illustrated a wide range of picture books for children, including the popular Bear and Mole series. Spring Is Here won the Please Touch Museum Book Award. What a Treasure! a Pennsylvania One Book, was written with his spouse Jane Hillenbrand. Will lives in Ohio, and is the Illustrator and Author in Residence at Kent State University.  Find him on the web at www.willhillenbrand.com.