Cantaloupe and HoneyDo Ride a Bike

From acclaimed children’s book author and illustrator Mike Boldt comes his latest picture book, Cantaloupe and HoneyDo Ride a Bike. The simple story follows two friends (the titular Cantaloupe and HoneyDo) in their misadventures in bike riding. The book begins as Cantaloupe introduces HoneyDo to their shiny new bike but sadly laments that they cannot ride it as they fell off their bike previously and, as a result, believe they “can’t ride”. HoneyDo quickly jumps on Cantaloupe’s offer to let them ride the bike instead but immediately proves that they don’t, in fact, know how to ride. Cantaloupe remains skittish about riding, cautioning HoneyDo that, if they don’t know how to ride, they could fall and get hurt. HoneyDo is unfazed by this possibility, touting their bike helmet as a protective measure that will keep them safe regardless.

HoneyDo experiments with many different implausible riding methods before finally being coached by Cantaloupe into riding correctly, only to fall immediately. Taking over for HoneyDo and temporarily forgetting their fears, Cantaloupe demonstrates how to ride, amazed when HoneyDo points out that they can ride a bike after all. Unfortunately in Cantaloupe’s amazement, they ride directly onto a high ramp and end up crashing and falling to the ground. Injured, Cantaloupe reaffirms that this proves they “CAN’T ride a bike”. HoneyDo disagrees, arguing that Cantaloupe balanced, pedaled and stopped (via crashing) which were all the bike-riding skills Cantaloupe was teaching. Cantaloupe finally agrees, thanking HoneyDo for making them keep trying. The story ends with HoneyDo confidently jumping on the bike and pedaling towards the high ramp, determined to do “amazing tricks”.

Through the hijinx of Cantaloupe and HoneyDo, Boldt showcases two very different learning styles and emphasizes the message that you don’t have to be perfect at a skill or activity in order to say you’re able to do it. Helping your friends and not being afraid to try new experiences are also encouraged throughout. The book’s images are a combination of photographs with drawn illustrations overlaid, adding to the eclectic kookiness of the story.