Billy the Bird

by Dick King-Smith, Susie Jenkin Pearce (Illustrator)

Discovering that her younger brother, Billy, has the special gift of being able to fly, Mary tolerates his soaring adventures in the home, but when he heads for an open window and out into the open skies, she knows that trouble is soon to follow.

Genres: Fantasy, Childrens

80 pages, Hardcover

First published February 5, 2001

About the author

Dick King-Smith was born and raised in Gloucestershire, England, surrounded by pet animals. After twenty years as a farmer, he turned to teaching and then to writing children's books.

Dick writes mostly about animals: farmyard fantasy, as he likes to call it, often about pigs, his special favorites. He enjoys writing for children, meeting the children who read his books, and knowing that they get enjoyment from what he does.

Among his well-loved books is Babe, The Gallant Pig, which was recently made into a major motion picture, and was nominated for an Academy Award.

Dick lived with his wife in a small 17th-century cottage, about three miles from the house where he was born.

Reviews

[K. · Rating 2 out of 5]

Read aloud contender 12/13...

Cute, little kids would probably like it, but pretty silly. Not really any point or anything. The ending fell pretty flat and I felt bad that Billy couldn't remember anything ;)

[Theediscerning · Rating 4 out of 5]

Slightly uneven, but very pleasant, this has a girl discover that on full moon nights, her baby brother Billy can float through the air. That's all very well, except he doesn't realise it at any other time. And that's all very well, until the hot night the window is left open. And that's all very well - until a nasty cat burglar enters the plot... A taut drama, with lashings of benefits from the simple 'what if...?', and fine illustrations.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

There's something about this that I would have loved when I was little. I would've read it over and over, despite the fact that it's so short and easy. I think there's some sort of metaphor going on, actually, about outgrowing infant innocence.

[Constantina · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very cute book :)

[Heidi · Rating 2 out of 5]

My 5yo really enjoyed this one but I found it really weird.

[Elwyna · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't really like this book. I lost interest

[Indah Threez Lestari · Rating 3 out of 5]

52 - 2017

[Tonty Gibson · Rating 4 out of 5]

One summer evening, Mary saw her younger brother, Billy floating in the air like an astronaut inside a space-craft. She quickly closed the window to prevent him from floating out in his sleep. Mary believed that her parents will not believe her if she told them about it and decided to keep it a secret. She then consulted the opinion of her pets, Mr. Keylock and Lilyleaf. The next summer, Mary witnessed her brother’s first flight as he flew around in his room and she decided to keep a dairy to find out the cause. One night, as Mary opened the window for her brother to enjoy his flight, she saw a man’s figure clinging to the ivy trying to get into their home, suddenly Billy flew towards the figure and scared him and he fell off to the lawn. The strange man was identified as the notorious cat burglar and he was taken by the police for questioning. Did the parents ever learn about their son’s flight and bravery? This is only possible if Mary told them.

This book is suitable for children in KS2 and for curriculum support in geography, science, mathematics. It can be used to: read to a class; for independent reading and to inspire creative writing.

[The Styling Librarian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Billy the Bird by Dick King-Smith - Young Corgi series: Well, I'm a huge fan of Dick King-Smith, special author. Billy the Bird is fantastic for a sibling story about a older sister catching her younger brother floating and then flying on special days of the month. Great little story.

[Cynthia Egbert · Rating 3 out of 5]

Every child dreams of flying and also having the ability to talk to animals. These two gifts are woven neatly and beautifully into this story. If you are a cat lover, you will especially appreciate the wise cat character in this one.

[Avalon · Rating 4 out of 5]

We all wish to fly at times. This kid got the chance. Lucky!

[Jami · Rating 3 out of 5]

Early reader chapter book. Cute story. Reminds me of Roald Dahl somewhat.

[Erin McCarty · Rating 3 out of 5]

http://www.epinions.com/content_23997...

[Elizabeth S · Rating 3 out of 5]

Extremely cute and sweet, as would be expected from Dick King-Smith.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely younger fiction

About siblings, not scary

Spaced text but pictures don't support the text.

[Varsha Seshan · Rating 4 out of 5]

An illustrated tale for young children.
http://www.varshaseshan.com/blog/bill...

[Boston · Rating 3 out of 5]

You shouldn't keep secrets from your parents.