Three Star Billy (Red Fox Picture Books) - Softcover

Pat Hutchins

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0099493918 ISBN 13: 9780099493914

Publisher: Red Fox, 1997

Synopsis

Billy, a bad-tempered little monster who does not want to be in nursery school, throws tantrums that only result in his teacher's giving him praise and three stars

About this title

About the Author

Pat Hutchins, one of seven children, was born in Yorkshire, England, and grew up in the surrounding countryside, which she still loves. At a very early age she knew that she wanted to be an artist and was encouraged by an elderly couple who would give her a chocolate bar for each picture she drew. A local art school offered her a scholarship and she studied there for three years, continuing her training at Leeds College of Art, where she specialized in illustration. Her career in the children's book field began with the highly acclaimed Rosie's Walk, a 1968 ALA Notable Book. Since then she has written five novels and created more than twenty-five picture books. She was awarded England's prestigious Kate Greenaway Medal in 1974 for The Wind Blew. Pat Hutchins lives with her husband in London, England.

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 1-Fans of The Very Worst Monster (1985) and Silly Billy! (1992, both Greenwillow) will be delighted with Hutchins's latest effort. Young monster Billy is now old enough to attend nursery school, but he doesn't want to go. It takes the combined effort of Ma, Pa, and sister Hazel to pry his little green fingers off the garden gate and drag him there. "If you're good, you might get a star," Hazel tells him. Billy's behavior is predictably awful. He hurls paint pots, hollers abominably during singing, and stamps so hard while dancing that he scares his classmates. But the teacher is not at all dismayed. This is a nursery school for monsters, after all, and Billy's beastly behavior is rewarded with gold stars! By the end of the day, he doesn't want to leave. This tale is sure to strike a familiar chord with many preschoolers. Though the characters sport sharp teeth and long fingernails, their brightly colored faces and big, round eyes enhance the story's rollicking humor. Mouths perk upward in amused amazement at Billy's antics, while he seems to revel in his badness. The sheer number of characters in each scene contributes a sense of bustling, happy chaos. A terrific addition to any going-to-school bibliography or display.
Mary Jo Drungil, Niles Public Library District, IL
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About this edition

• Publisher: Red Fox
• Publication date: 1997
• ISBN 10: 0099493918
• ISBN 13: 9780099493914
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 32