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Julie Williams is a retired elementary school teacher. She is a native Californian, and lives in Fountain Valley, CA with her two adorable cats, Daisy and Bianca.
She enjoys singing in her church choir, trying to play piano, crocheting, and playing trivia.
This story is based on her own childhood experience learning to ride a bike.
Reviewed by Asher Syed for Readers' Favorite
Try, Try Again: Julie's Bicycling Adventure by Julie Williams follows Julie, who is frustrated after her father removes the training wheels from her bike. She falls off during her first attempt and declares that she can’t do anything right, feeling discouraged. Her sister Kathy encourages her to keep trying, reminding her that learning takes practice. Kathy holds onto the back fender to help Julie balance while she rides. When Julie realizes Kathy has let go, she panics and falls off again. Kathy reassures her that she is doing well and needs to believe in herself to succeed. Kathy accidentally reveals a “big surprise” and the girls agree not to tell anyone about the secret. However, Julie's discomfort grows when the surprise is given and the challenge becomes greater.
In Julie Williams’ heartwarming tale Try, Try Again, perseverance takes center stage. Most carers of young children will have to help them learn to ride a bike, and Williams provides a realistic depiction of what that entails. She also does a great job of capturing the very real fear, frustration, and vulnerability of a child struggling to master new skills. I smiled during a dream sequence that cleverly nods to the 1930s version of The Little Engine That Could, adding some nostalgia for the adults reading along. I did find the text portion to be somewhat dense and my youngest reader was unable to read it on her own, but I appreciate, occasionally, being able to take over the reins. The illustrations are bright and bold, and convey the environment and emotions of the sisters and their father. The lovely illustrations hold just as much weight as the words. Overall, this is a solid piece of kid-lit with a helpful message.
