About This Book
Reach for this book when your child feels like an impostor or is paralyzed by the fear that they are not as 'good' at something as everyone thinks. It is the perfect remedy for the child who is carrying a secret weight or feels that their worth is tied solely to a specific talent. Raoul Taburin is a master bicycle mechanic in a charming French village, but he hides a lifelong secret: despite his technical genius, he cannot actually ride a bike without falling over. Sempé uses gentle humor and delicate illustrations to explore themes of shame, identity, and the surprising relief of being truly known. While Raoul is an adult, his struggle with 'performance anxiety' and the pressure of expectations is deeply relatable to children ages seven and up. It is a beautiful story about the realization that our friends often love us for our vulnerabilities, not just our mastery.
What Parents Should Know
Sensitive Topics
The book deals with internal shame and the 'fraud complex' in a secular, metaphorical way. The resolution is realistic and deeply hopeful, suggesting that perfection is not a prerequisite for friendship.
Ideal Reader
An elementary or middle-schooler who is highly skilled in one area but feels like a failure in another. It’s for the kid who is afraid to admit they don't understand something 'easy' because they don't want to disappoint people.
Parent Prep
This is a sophisticated graphic narrative. It can be read cold, but parents should be ready to discuss the irony of Raoul’s situation, as the humor is subtle and dry. A parent might choose this after hearing their child say 'I'm a failure' because of one mistake, or noticing their child avoiding a specific activity out of fear of looking foolish.
Age Experience
Younger children will enjoy the physical comedy of Raoul's bike mishaps. Older children and adults will resonate with the existential dread of being 'found out' and the nuance of his professional identity.
What Makes It Special
Unlike many 'try again' books, this isn't about Raoul finally learning to ride. It’s about Raoul accepting that he can't, and finding that he is still loved. It honors the secret life of the heart with classic French wit.
Read plot summary
Discussion Prompts
1
Raoul is an expert at fixing bikes but can't ride them. Does that make him a 'fake,' or is he still a master of his craft?
2
Why was Raoul so afraid to tell his friend Figougne the truth? What did he think would happen?
3
At the end of the story, we find out Figougne has a secret of his own. How did that change Raoul's feelings about himself?
4
Raoul's last name even became a word for a bike in his town. How does that make his secret feel even heavier?
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