Willy the Wizard

Willy

by Anthony Browne

Willy the chimp loves football and dreams of being a star player.
But he doesn't have any boots so he's never been picked for the team.
Then, one evening, Willy meets a mysterious stranger and his luck begins to change . . .

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Animals, Sports, Soccer, Football, Spanish Literature

32 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1995

About the author

Anthony Browne, a Hans Christian Andersen Medalist, is the author-illustrator of many acclaimed books for children, including Silly Billy and Little Beauty. He lives in Kent, England.

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.

Reviews

[Annie Donette · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fable of coming to terms with grief, a commentary on acceptance and tolerance, a story of a boy with autism coping in the everyday world, a simple rise-of-the-underdog feel-good factor book, a behind-the-scenes football story, a tale of mystical strangers and magical powers... whichever way you read it, this is MAGIC!

[Huda Fel · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was ok

[Just a Girl Fighting Censorship · Rating 4 out of 5]

What interesting story, at face value it is a sports story, a boy chimp just wants to play soccer with the gorillas. However there are details that show the reader that Willy is an unusual boy, it isn't clear if there is some name to his quirks, autism/OCD, or if he is just eccentric, but it does show that he has particular habits that may lead to him being a loner in life, that is until he finds his calling.

As always, I very much enjoyed Browne's whimsical illustrations.

[Nichola Harris · Rating 2 out of 5]

Willy who is smaller than the rest of the football team and never gets his chance to shine ... until he meets a mysterious stranger who reminds him of his Dad and gives him an old pair of football boots.

[Andrés Pesqueira · Rating 4 out of 5]

Divertida historia en la que Willy consigue superar su inseguridad al futbol mediante la metáfora de unos "botines mágicos" que le regalan.

A los niños del "Cajón de las Historias" les gusta mucho.

[Lola Volkova · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you really try hard, fortune will follow your endeavor.

[Jenna Mills · Rating 3 out of 5]

Felt like I was missing something

[Juli · Rating 4 out of 5]

Un libro para los más chicos que enseña la importancia de tener amor propio y confianza en lo que cada uno puede lograr si lo intenta !

[Ms Doxey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting book. Did the boots ever exist or were they his imagination and motivation?

[Samantta S. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gran reflexión.:)

[Stanlee Uy · Rating 3 out of 5]

PE
o Football
PSHE
o talking about feeling sad and that it passes
o Confidence
o Practice makes perfect
English
o writing a diary entry after winning the game
o Instructional/sequencing writing

[Jeani · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good story about self-confidence!

[Sonia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Willy the chimp loves football and dreams of being a star player. Willy doesn't have any boots so he is never picked for the team to play. One evening whilst walking home, Willy meets a mysterious stranger who hands him over his pair of boots and his luck begins to change . . .

...Willy begins to play extraordinarily and he is put on the Team to play the next match. Willy scores a goal, winning for the team, it was magical.

The reason why I like this book is because it introduces Willy as an ordinary Chimp who has an aspiration to be something, but ends up with an unexpected success!, it also shows the routine Willy goes through each day: this can be related to what children do on their day to day routine.

Children at Key stage 3 can learn more about using brackets, capital letters, exclamation marks, ellipsis, and questions. The story also engages children to find out whether Willy will manage to get a goal at the end; creating a sense of anticipation for the children. The book also introduces “big” words like “mesmerised”, “spellbound” and “conjured”; this can help to enhance their vocabulary. Children can write or draw about what they would love to be or do in their future.

[Lindsay · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is another book about Willy the Chimpanzee. In this Spanish translation of Willy the Wizard, Willy aspires to be a great soccer player but doesn't have soccer shoes. On his way home, a stranger gives him some "magic" shoes. Willy practices and practices and practices, becoming so good, he is finally chosen to play during a game. On the day of the game, he wakes up late and accidentally leaves his shoes at home. He discovers that practice makes perfect, not fancy shoes or gear.

The book is a bit long for a story time setting, but it's a good story about building confidence, trying new things, and practicing to get better at something, whether it be soccer, another sport, singing, painting, drawing, singing, playing an instrument.

[K. Orme · Rating 5 out of 5]

I grew up with Willy the Wimp. (read to me throughout the second half of the 90s.)

It's definitely top three favorite picture books.

Now, Willy the Wizard, I found in my college library my freshman year of college.

I hadn't known that Willy was in a series. Had I or my mother know, we would have snatched them up so quickly because of how much I loved Willy the Wimp.

This is no different. The illustrations are magical and the story is well-told. I have read it a few times, not as much as "Wimp" but it's still rather a special story.

when you see the dad's? face in the moon, it's just so heartwarming.

[Lynda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Illustrator and author Anthony Browne rightly has his place in the top echelon of book creators. The former UK Children's Laureate created Willy the Wimp many decades ago, with the enduring themes of a gentle soul finding resilience, perseverance and trust, even in situations which seem hopeless. Willy the Wizard will intrigue the young soccer fanatic who dreams big dreams but who has to face, like all of us, the daily challenges of life.

[Chelsea · Rating 3 out of 5]

Browne, Anthony. Willy the Wizard. New York: Knopf, 1995. Print. 32 p.
Willy wants to play soccer, but has no shoes until he meets a mysterious stranger, dressed in old fashioned gear, who gives Willy his old shoes. These shoes seem to work magic, until he loses them and plays in a big game during which Willy realizes the magic may not be in the shoes after all.

[The Styling Librarian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Willy the Wizard – one of many Willy books- all pretty darn brilliant- this one had the football/soccer partnered with the “believe in yourself” message…