Don't Let Go

by Jeanne Willis, Tony Ross (Illustrations)

Fearful of what may come if her father lets go of her bike, Megan tells him not to let go as she takes her first steps in learning how to ride, but when her father does let go and she takes off on her own, it is Megan who has to shout encouraging words to her father by assuring him that she has got it all under control.

Genres: Picture Books, Family, Love, Childrens

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2002

About the author

Jeanne Willis was born in St Albans and trained as an advertising copywriter at Watford College. She worked for various agencies creating press adverts and TV, cinema and radio commercials. She is now a full-time writer and has published over 80 books. Her hobbies include gardening, reading (non-fiction), natural history and collecting caterpillars. Jeanne has also worked on scripts for TV, including POLLY POCKET and THE SLOW NORRIS, and a pilot TV series for DR XARGLE. She lives in North London with her husband and two children.

Reviews

[Mathew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tony Ross and Jeanne Willis have always made for a great partnership and having read Tadpole's Promise I was looking forward to this having no knowledge has beautiful a poem it would be able the love between a parent and child. Here the words and image work so well together and I particularly like the short which Ross himself alludes to between child and parents which is not explicit in the text. The book itself, for me, is a liberating look at the relationship between a father and his daughter in which masculine ideologies are challenged.

[Heidi Jarvis · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is great for young readers and adults alike. An important lesson on parents and children needing and depending on each other. The dad gets emotional about his daughter riding off after he let go, and she was afraid for that to happen in the first place. This experience is something that kids can relate to, as I feel everyone has this feeling when starting to learn to ride a bike. The text stays at the bottom of the pages in the white space. Overall this is a very appropriate kids book with an important theme.

[Holly Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this story when it was read during a lecture, it was quite an emotional book and linked well to my personal journey as a PGCE student. I think it would be good for Year 1's and above, EY's may not be able to concentrate as quite lengthy pages.

[Luke Speirs]

A lovely book about family. A young girl is frightened when learning to ride a bike a but her dad assures her that he will not let go. Then when she gets the hang of it, he is afraid she will ride away and not come back. She responds in a similar way to her dad saying that she will not let go.

[Nischell Broderick · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a nice story that can be used with both KS1 and KS2 as it teaches children about independence, preparation and partnership. This book is also very catchy as it contains lots of rhymes which should keep the children engaged throughout reading the story.

[Jessica Walford]

Emotive and poignant story that can be applied not only to riding a bike, but to life too. Suitable for all ages.

[Guilherme Semionato · Rating 4 out of 5]

Corny, yes, but heartbreaking and powerful, too. The final pages are very special. Open Library.

[Erin Marshallsay · Rating 5 out of 5]

About difficulties riding a bike - can relate to the bumps in life and getting over them but it’s all worth it.
Children and parents depending on one another.

[Katie]

KS1/KS2

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing emotional read about growing up and moving away.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is dialogue between a father and daughter as she's learning to ride a bike and is scared of being hurt. But, it's also a metaphor for family drama and the pain of growing up. I wouldn't use it in a group story time setting, but it's a great discussion starter for kids processing divorce and other kinds of loss.

[Asha Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is about a little girl who is learning to ride a bike. It has two undertone stories. She needs her dad to help her ride her bike without training wheels but as she rides away down the hill, the dad realizes his little girl is growing up too.

[BookCupid · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Dad got me crying, snif.

[Debby Baumgartner · Rating 3 out of 5]

Megan wants to learn how to ride her bike but she is afraid. She tells her dad not to let go. However dad is afraid to let go to soon, too.l

[Ruby Hodgson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful story with a brilliant message.