Silly Billy!

From Publishers Weekly In this slight picture book, Hazel discovers that being a big sister can really try a girl's patience. Baby Billy wants to do everything Hazel does, even though he's much too young to attempt such activities. Nevertheless, Grandpa, Grandma, Ma and Pa insist that Hazel allow Billy to play since "he's only little." After the tot upsets a board game, topples the dollhouse and dismantles a train set, Hazel devises a clever plan to get "Silly Billy" out of her hair. Hutchins's ( One Hunter ; The Doorbell Rang ) simple, repetitive text accurately captures the often frustrating realities of coping with siblings. There's not much drama here, but Hazel's quiet, winning triumph gives the story a boost. Hutchins's combination of watercolor and pen-and-ink produces an airy effect that gives her green monster family lots of panache. Their bright clothes, rosy cheeks and long claw-like digits are almost delicate. Billy's semi-destructive messes are often eye-catching jumbles of color. To Hutchins's credit, her characters never lose their cool; imbuing both art and text with a jovial mood and a sense of familial affection. Ages 4-up. Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title. From School Library Journal PreSchool-Grade 1-- Hutchins's familiar green monster family from The Very Worst Monster (1985) and Where's the Baby? (1988, both Greenwillow) returns in colorful illustrations that are full of expression and detail. Hazel's little brother gets to do everything she does because, as the adults tell her, `` `He's only little.' '' After being forced to share her toys, games, and dollhouse, she finally stumbles on a way to win--she says she wants to sleep in the toy box. Of course Billy wants to do likewise, leaving Hazel to enjoy her toys on her own. The writing is short and snappy, and children will identify with the frustrations of having to deal with younger siblings. Share this with a group, with beginning readers, or in a laptime reading session. --Christine A. Moesch, Buffalo and Erie County Public Library, NYCopyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.