Is Grandpa too old to enter the longest bicycle race in Sweden? Find out in this delightful book!

Featured Book: Supergrandpa, by David M. Schwartz

Gustav Hakansson was 60 years old when he decided to enter the Sverige-Loppet, the longest bicycle race in the history of Sweden. The judges think him too old to cycle the more than 1,000 mile course, so they refuse to let him enter. Grandpa enters anyway, unofficially, and rides to first place!

Before Reading
Discuss that people in different cultures have different ideas about the what older people can and cannot do.

Is Grandpa too old to enter the longest bicycle race in Sweden? Find out in this delightful book!

Some cultures honor older people. Some cultures think they are too old to continue working or enjoying life. Today people live longer, work longer, and live active lives. What do their grandparents do with their time? Do they still have jobs? Are they retired? What about great-grandparents? What does it mean to be old?

Discuss the race. How far will it be. Discuss how many days it would take to drive this distance. Using a map show how far is it between US cities. Using a map of Sweden mark the distance. Should the judges allow Gustaf to enter the race? Why? Why not?

After Reading
Discuss the judges decision. Remind the students that the judges did not know how well Gustaf could ride. Even though Gustaf didn't officially win the race, he did come in first. Ask the students to discuss how Gustaf's victory was a victory for all older people.

Activities
Place a stationary bicycle in he classroom. Post a large map of Sweden on the wall near the bicycle. Have children take turns logging miles on the bike in an attempt to cycle as far as Gustaf did (more than 1000 miles, plus an extra 600 miles to represent the amount Gustaf cycles to arrive at the starting line in Haparanda). Have each student write down their estimate of how long it will take them to go 1,600 miles. Put them in a large envelope to be opened after the ride is completed. Post a running total of miles logged by the class. You can use the distances as an exercise for converting miles and kilometers. You might want to add a line on the map to indicate how far they've gone. Was the 1,600 miles for or less than they predicted? Who came closest in their estimation? Award the winner with a medal.

As a snack serve Swedish foods:

• Lingonberrie Jam
• Ginger Snaps
• Rye Crisp Crackers
• Swedish Fish Candies
• Havarti Cheese