Daniel's Ride / El Paseo de Daniel

This is a wonderful story for kids, and adults, about low riders, a subject that is often misunderstood and maligned. Not much is availibale for children on the topic, especially told from their point of view. DANIEL'S RIDE is about much more than Hector's promise of his cool car to his little brother Daniel. It's about hopes and dreams and relationships, all of which lead to the story's broad appeal. Every year I buy a least one book for a friend in Arizona who is a reading specialist working in a bilingual setting. This book has been the biggest hit yet! Her students in Tucson love it and can't get enough of it. Perry and his illustrator Lee Ballard have a real hit here!

Daniel eagerly awaits a promised ride in his older brother Hector '63 Impala convertible "complete with spider hydraulics and gold wire wheels." Together they celebrate the first weekend of summer vacation. They turn up the volume on their music and cruise, transforming the Impala into "a funky barrio carnival ride." They join the cool cars cruising the beech before visiting the cousin. When the ride is over, Hector promise the car to Daniel if he finishes high school and plans to go to college.Author Michael Perry brings his street-savvy writing style to children’s books in DANIEL’S RIDE. With the lyricism gained with his musical background, and an intense understanding of what motivates children, Perry creates a fun, hotrodding tale of sun, brothers and cars certain to delight young readers. Crisp, believable, readable dialog combine lends the story vibrant energy and promise. Very highly recommended.

Daniel's Ride is an exellent book for children. I should know because I am a child. I think this is a good book because people usually don't write about lowriders or books for kids who are bilingual. This book has both of those subjects.

In Michael Perry's entertaining picturebook Daniel's Ride, it's the first day of summer vacation and young Daniel is anxiously awaiting the arrival of his big brother Hector and his custom '63 Impala Low Rider. The two bothers cruise the boulevard, compete in a low rider hopping context at the beach, and drive downtown to visit their artist cousin Diego as he paints an elaborate mural. It is during this wonderful day's journey that Daniel receives an unexpected gift from his big brother -- determination. Lee Ballard's artwork is perfectly suited to Perry's entertaining story of two brothers, a car, and a beautiful sunny day.

"A great story for all ages with amazing paintings by Lee Ballard...maybe the only thing better than this book is cruisin' in your very own 1963 Chevy Impala."