Trotter Street is full of Spring motion and locomotion. Sanjit Lal has roller skates; Barney, a skateboard; and Mae's baby sister, a stroller. Carlos deals gamely with the disappointment of receiving perfectly fine birthday presents but no bike like Billy's. Mum had warned Carlos in advance about this, but he was completely unprepared for his brother Marco's handmade surprise. This gift and a subsequent neighborhood non-bicycle race exhibit the small moments of high drama at which Hughes excels. Hughes' full-color artwork harmonizes wonderfully with the down-to-earth fictional Trotter Street community she's populated with appealing folks living their daily lives with and as well as next to each other. An outstanding addition to a great series. (Ages 3-8)

Carlos is jealous of his friend Billy's new bicycle and desperately wants a new one of his own for his upcoming birthday.