Review: Bicycling to the Moon

Bicycling to the Moon could be a bedtime tale for little ones or a read-alone story for independent readers but its universal themes will be popular with all ages. Purdy, a self-obsessed cat with delusions of grandeur, is forever upsetting the rhythm of everyday life. Barker, his ever-faithful housemate spends his life trying to rebalance their world.

Purdy spends much of each day curled up comfortably, dreaming: of bicycling to the moon, flying away when winter nears and even becoming Supercat. Barker, on the other hand, loves growing vegetables and turning the soil. Their life together seems hard-wired for conflict but the two remain inseparable.

Bicycling to the Moon is a character study of how seeming opposites can be the best of friends (when they are not fighting). While Barker is the quiet, industrious one, he isn’t always the anchor he appears to be. Even though Purdy often thinks of himself first, his fun loving nature steadies Barker.

Not everyone will like Purdy and some will think Barker a bit on the boring side but reading about their travails is an absolute treat. Timo Parvelo’s comic timing is faultless, his instinct for plumbing human nature in the simplest of scenarios is genius. Bicycling to the Moon is definitely a keeper.

Title: Bicycling to the Moon
Author: Timo Parvelo
Illustrator: Virpi Talvitic
Publisher: Gecko Press, $15.99 RRP
Publication Date: June 2016
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9781776570324
For ages: 5 +
Type: Junior Fiction