Ollie Learns to Ride

by Tess Whitlock

Ollie and her Dad learn about trying again.

Grade 1 (Level E): Early readers10 pages

Ollie wants to ride without training wheels before his birthday

Characters

Ollie

Dad

Naive & Childlike

Story Arc

Ollie stood with Dad. A new bike sat near her. It was shiny and blue.

Ollie put on her helmet. She got on the bike seat. Her feet touched the ground.

Dad held the bike. Ollie pushed with her feet. She wobbled and fell.

Ollie looked at her knee. It had a small scrape. Dad knelt down near her. “Ready to try?” he asked.

They walked to the park. A long path waited. Ollie felt a little shy.

Dad helped Ollie start. She pedaled and wobbled. Down she went again.

Ollie sat on the grass. She felt very tired. Dad sat close beside her.

“Do you want to stop?” Dad asked. Ollie looked at the path. She stood up tall.

Ollie pushed and pedaled hard. She rode a little bit! Dad cheered for her.

Ollie rode all the way. She kept her balance. Her smile was very wide.

Make one of your own next.

shiny: It means something that looks bright and smooth, like a mirror.; It was shiny and blue.
helmet: This is a hat that protects your head, like for riding a bike.; Ollie put on her helmet.
wobbled: It means to move back and forth in an unsteady way, like a shaky bike.; She wobbled and fell.
scrape: This is a little scratch on your skin, like when you fall down.; It had a small scrape.
knelt: This is when you bend down on your knees.; Dad knelt down near her.
pedaled: It means to push the pedals on a bike with your feet to make it go.; She pedaled and wobbled.
tired: This is when you want to rest because you have used a lot of energy.; She felt very tired.
cheered: It means to shout words of happiness and support for someone.; Dad cheered for her.
balance: This is when you can stand or move without falling over.; She kept her balance.