Josie and the Fourth Grade Bike Brigade

If you’re in the neighborhood or able to make it out to Park Slope this evening, there’s a fun event featuring two things that should be part of every kid’s life: bikes and books.

Kenny Bruno; his wife Beth Handman, assistant principal of P.S. 321; and their daughter Antonia Bruno, co-wrote “Josie and the Fourth Grade Bike Brigade,” the first in what will be a series about an active and environmentally minded Brooklyn girl. Via The Brooklyn Eagle:

“Josie and the Fourth Grade Bike Brigade” follows fourth grade student Josie. After spending a summer with her grandmother in Ecuador and taking a class trip to the zoo, she is prompted to take action to slow global warming. In an effort to go green and discourage the use of cars, Josie organizes the Fourth Grade Bike Brigade. Her best friends, brothers and other characters from the neighborhood go along for the ride, but not everyone joins in – and when those who oppose the plan voice their opinion, trouble begins for Josie and the Bike Brigade.

Kenny, Beth, and Antonia are celebrating the book’s release with two events, starting tonight:

• Friday, Sept. 12, 5:30 pm, Barnes & Noble (267 Seventh Ave.)
• Wednesday, Sept. 17, 7 pm, Community Bookstore (143 Seventh Ave.)

I’ll be at the event this evening with my own members of the bike brigade and hope to see you there.