The Bicycle

Paperback

The true story of how a simple act of kindness changed a young refugee’s life – from award-winning author Patricia McCormick with Mevan Babakar.

For generations, Mevan and her family lived in their beloved Kurdistan. But when they are forced to flee by the Iraqi government, Mevan must leave everything behind. Her family travels from country to country in search of safety; and with each stop, Mevan feels more and more alone. Until … a stranger’s gift changes everything.

Based on Mevan Babakar’s own childhood, this is a moving reminder of how powerful just one act of kindness can be.

Chosen for EmpathyLab’s Read For Empathy Collection 2026

SHORTLISTED! Oxfordshire Book Awards – Picture Books category

RRP: £7.99

Imprint

Farshore

ISBN

978-0-00-872039-1

Publication Date

13-02-2025

Format

Paperback

Pages

32 pages

Dimensions

245x275mm

Product Description

The true story of how a simple act of kindness changed a young refugee’s life – from award-winning author Patricia McCormick with Mevan Babakar.

For generations, Mevan and her family lived in their beloved Kurdistan. But when they are forced to flee by the Iraqi government, Mevan must leave everything behind. Her family travels from country to country in search of safety; and with each stop, Mevan feels more and more alone. Until … a stranger’s gift changes everything.

Based on Mevan Babakar’s own childhood, this is a moving reminder of how powerful just one act of kindness can be.

Chosen for EmpathyLab’s Read For Empathy Collection 2026

SHORTLISTED! Oxfordshire Book Awards – Picture Books category

Author

Patricia McCormick and Mevan Babakar, Illustrated by Yas Imamura

Patricia McCormickis a former journalist and a two-time National Book Award finalist whose books includeCut,Sold,Never Fall Down,The Plot to Kill Hitler, the young readers edition ofI Am Malala, and the award-winning picture bookSergeant Reckless: The True Story of the Little Horse Who Became a Hero. Patricia lives in New York, USA.

Mevan Babakaris a social entrepreneur, writer, and poet. She was born in Kurdistan and is a former child refugee. Mevan serves as trustee for the UK for UNHCR, the UK arm of the UN refugee agency, and was selected as a 2023 European Obama Leader for her work in protecting democracy.

Yas Imamurais the acclaimed artist of picture books such asLove in the Libraryby Maggie Tokuda-Hall, andThe Very Oldest Pear Treeby Nancy I. Sanders. She currently lives and works in Portland, Oregon, USA.

Imprint

Farshore

ISBN

978-0-00-872039-1

Publication Date

13-02-2025

Format

Paperback

Pages

32 pages

Dimensions

245x275mm

Product Description

The true story of how a simple act of kindness changed a young refugee’s life – from award-winning author Patricia McCormick with Mevan Babakar.

For generations, Mevan and her family lived in their beloved Kurdistan. But when they are forced to flee by the Iraqi government, Mevan must leave everything behind. Her family travels from country to country in search of safety; and with each stop, Mevan feels more and more alone. Until … a stranger’s gift changes everything.

Based on Mevan Babakar’s own childhood, this is a moving reminder of how powerful just one act of kindness can be.

Chosen for EmpathyLab’s Read For Empathy Collection 2026

SHORTLISTED! Oxfordshire Book Awards – Picture Books category

Author

Patricia McCormick and Mevan Babakar, Illustrated by Yas Imamura

Patricia McCormickis a former journalist and a two-time National Book Award finalist whose books includeCut,Sold,Never Fall Down,The Plot to Kill Hitler, the young readers edition ofI Am Malala, and the award-winning picture bookSergeant Reckless: The True Story of the Little Horse Who Became a Hero. Patricia lives in New York, USA.

Mevan Babakaris a social entrepreneur, writer, and poet. She was born in Kurdistan and is a former child refugee. Mevan serves as trustee for the UK for UNHCR, the UK arm of the UN refugee agency, and was selected as a 2023 European Obama Leader for her work in protecting democracy.

Yas Imamurais the acclaimed artist of picture books such asLove in the Libraryby Maggie Tokuda-Hall, andThe Very Oldest Pear Treeby Nancy I. Sanders. She currently lives and works in Portland, Oregon, USA.