FICTION

Billy and Rose: Just the Way They Are

by Amy Hest (text) & illus. by Kady MacDonald Denton
Candlewick. (Billy and Rose: Bk. 2). Oct. 2023. 48p. Tr $16.99. ISBN 9781536214208.
COPY ISBN
PreS-Gr 2–Billy the sheep and Rose the pig don’t seem to have much in common, but they like to have “serious discussions” about the important things in life. In the second installment of this sweet series (after Billy and Rose: Forever Friends), the subjects of their discussions are “Books,” “Hair,” “Rain,” and “Cupcakes,” which happen to be the chapter names laid out on the contents page. Although they each have strong differing opinions (Billy prefers tall blue books and Rose prefers fat red books), they’re both accepting of their differences and their friendship blossoms with compromise. The chapters are more like vignettes and can be read as stand-alone stories. The text is interspersed with watercolor-and-ink pictures on every page, making it the perfect bridge between early reader and beginning chapter book.
VERDICT A calm meditation on the joys of working things out, perfect for a burgeoning reader or as a sweet read-aloud for caregiver and child, sure to enforce early elementary social-emotional skills.
Reviewed by Carrie Voliva , Feb 02, 2024

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