The Creature of Habit Tries His Best

Charming and vibrantly illustrated by award-winning artist Leo Espinosa, Jennifer E. Smith’s picture book follows a character with big feelings as he tackles the ups and downs of learning something new, reminding readers to take pride in every effort — big or small.

The Creature of Habit is back in this humorous story about a challenge every kid faces: learning to ride a bike! Celebrating persistence, it reminds us that success isn’t about being the best—it’s about giving it your best try.

On the island of Habit, a very big creature was about to take the ride of his life! He’d learned to try new things, but that didn’t mean he was good at them. Trying was hard — the kind of hard that made him stomp, roar, and even want to quit. And riding a bike? That was really hard. Every time he tried, he wobbled and fell.

But he refused to give up. He might never be the best at riding a bike, but maybe—just maybe — he could be the best at trying. And trying? That was something he already knew how to do!