There’s a hush in the crowd as the mayor lifts his gun,
then an ear-splitting Bang! and the race has begin,
with a flashing of goggles and pale cyclists’ knees,
and a murmuring sound like the bumble of bees.
Monsieur Albert loves cycling – but he loves prizes even more. SO when he reads in his morning paper about a cycling race about to start, he decides to enter. When he arrives at the starting line with his suit and cycle clips, and pannier full of supplies, the other cyclists laugh at him – none more than handsome young Francois. But it is Albert who has the last laugh as he proves that sometimes slow and steady really does win the race.
Monsieur Albert Rides to Glory is a humours take on the Tour de France, told in witty rhyming verse and accompanied by the whimsical humours illustration work of Bob Graham. Youngsters will love the silliness of both story and illustrations, and adults will enjoy reading the story out loud.
Lots of fun.
Monsieur Albert Rides to Glory, by Peter Smith & Bob Graham
Allen & Unwin, 2012
ISBN 9781742376806
Available from good bookstores and online.