Billy's Beetle

Inkpen, Mick

ISBN 10: 0152004270 ISBN 13: 9780152004279

Publisher: Harcourt Childrens Books, 1992

Synopsis

Billy engages all of his friends, from the sniffy dog to the pointing elephant, in a search for his lost beetle, until there is an entire crowd buzzing around town looking for the pet.

About this title

Reviews

PreSchool-- In this witty little game of hide and seek, Billy thinks he has lost his beetle. In each double-page spread, readers see the creature walking on the boy's pant leg, along his shoulder, or some other less-than-easy-to-spot place. Like Chicken Little, Billy acquires an entourage of helpers who join in the search with equally poor results. Finally the hedgehog finds the beetle, but by this time Billy has quietly disappeared with a furry caterpillar, and the hunt resumes with a new focus. Delicately drawn figures in pale colors appear against a white background, with only a bit of shading under the feet. The last page unfolds to give a panoramic view of all the characters. Evocative language will have readers and listeners eager to help the story with their own sounds (``sniffy dog,'' ``oompah band,'' and even an ``untrumpetable'' elephant). A merry little tale best shared with just a few children at a time. --Ruth Semrau, Lovejoy School, Allen, TX
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

In a cleverly elaborated story with a cumulative element, Billy looks for the beetle that's escaped from his matchbox. All overeager to help is a group that becomes ever more preposterous- -with the addition of a dog on a very long leash, a hedgehog, a polar bear, an elephant, and even a brass band. True to his nature, it's the hedgehog that eventually spots the beetle--but by that time Billy himself is missing. The simple, deftly drawn illustrations convey much of the delightful humor here. There's a final twist involving a lost caterpillar, and a gatefold that expands to dramatize the satisfying conclusion. Small readers will also enjoy the fact that they can find the beetle on every page, crawling unseen from one character to another. Truly childlike and unusually entertaining. (Picture book. 3-7) -- Copyright ©1992, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

Edition details

• Publisher: Harcourt Childrens Books
• Publication date: 1992
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0152004270
• ISBN 13: 9780152004279
• Binding: Library Binding