Claire Hucher Bishop worked in the first French children’s library in Paris. She told stories there, and later continued to be a storyteller at the New York Public Library after she moved to the United States. Then, she became a writer and published several acclaimed books for children: The Man Who Lost His Head, The Truffle Pig, The Five Chinese Brothers, All Alone, and Twenty and Ten, among others. Most of her books are set in France, Ms. Bishop’s native country.

[S]he did the research for The Big Loop in the summer of 1953. Being French, she had always been interested in the spectacular Tour de France, but it was not until she happened to study the results of a sociological test given to French factory workers that she realized how acutely most of them had yearned for bicycles as boys or how heart-rending were their struggles to get them. A bicycle, which an American child might hope for with confidence, is often an impossible luxury for a young person in France.

So, with a story forming in her mind, Mrs. Bishop interviewed boys who dreamed of racing, actual racers, managers, engineers, photographers, and past champions. During the 1953 Tour de France she subscribed to two daily sports papers, watched the racers go by in several different parts of France, and was among the crowd of 40,000 who acclaimed the winner at the Parc des Princes in Paris.

This book is the story of classmates in France just after World War II and their desire to compete in the Tour de France. Andre Girard, who lives in a poor section of Paris, dreams of becoming great bicycle racer, but the obstacles seem insurmountable. Andre is small and weak, and worst of all he has no idea how he can ever manage to afford to own a bicycle so that he can train and become a real professional racer.

This story is about Andre and his dreams, but also about Andre’s friends, Jack and Michel and Miquette. Each of the boys has dreams and aspirations, and each boy’s story turns out a bit different. Not all boys can rise to the level of competition in the Tour de France, but they can learn to be men of character and determination and generosity. And they can remain friends even in the midst of competing for the opportunity that each of them wants.

I found this to be an exciting coming-of-age story and a good picture of France and its culture and daily life in the 1940’s and 1950’s. Ms. Bishop must have learned well from all of her library storytelling, and she certainly knew how to spin a good tale. Many children would enjoy this sports story, but certainly if you know someone interested in bicycles or bicycle racing or the Tour de France, this book is a must-read.

For all of us of the Tour de France, the real victory is the victory over ourselves.