Description
The Story
Arne Hansen gets an invitation to his nephew’s 12th birthday. He must find a present at the local market. He looked and looked for just the right thing. His eyes fell on a small, rust-covered pocketknife with lots of blades and other tools. He gets it. Back at his shop he cleans up the pocketknife. But coveting it for himself, he wonders if this is the right gift for a twelve year old. In the corner of his cluttered workshop he discovered something else he could fix: a bicycle. He worked on it all night. He realized that he couldn’t fit the bike on the bus to Silkborg. What would he do? His friend the Postman (who does all his deliveries by bicycle) suggested that Arne ride the bike to his sister’s home. But he didn’t know how to ride a bike. After a lot of practice he got the hang of it. The morning of the party he packed the pocketknife (just in case he needed to make repairs), and a pickled herring sandwich — and wobbled off. He encounters several adventures and sights along the way. When he gets to his sister’s house his nephew greets him and wonders if he brought a present. Present? What would he do. He didn’t really want to give up the bike. He was just about to force out “Happy birthday, Tove” when he Tove said, “Like my new bike? I got it for my birthday. We’ll go riding after lunch. Ok? You and me?” Arne looked blank for a moment, his brain skipping gears. Then he remembered what he had in his pocket — and pulls out the carefully polished pocketknife. Arne flinched a little as the knife was taken from him by a small hand. But Tove threw himself at Arne, saying “It’s just what I wanted. Thank you, thank you, thank you.” Arne gently hugged Tove, then suggested they go inside for some pickled herring sandwiches. But Tove had a better idea. They rode off together on their bikes.
Publishing Info
The Present by Michael Emberley. From the 1st printing of the stated First Edition by Little, Brown and Company with 1991 copyright. This hardcover book measures about 8″ x 10” and has 32 pages.
Condition
See photo. Former library book with the usual markings. The boards show some storage. The pages are in very good condition with some lighter handling/storage. Stored and shipped from clean, smoke-free, pet-free home.
Shipping
Generally sent the same day payment arrives. Unless you request otherwise, I will wrap the book in plastic wrap to help protect it from the elements, tightly sandwich it between pieces of cardboard, then wrap in brown paper to send via Media Mail with Delivery Confirmation tracking. See the shipping page for the cost to send a two-pound Media Mail package. Insurance is an additional cost as described. I am delighted to combine postage and insurance costs if you purchase more than one item. The second item may travel for free or just a few cents more — so it’s worth taking a look at my other items before you complete your order.
Not sure?
If you’d like more information or photos, please feel free to contact me. If it’s the price you don’t like, make a reasonable offer!
See my other Baby to Preschool and Grades K-3 books — and ask for a combined-postage invoice!
