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Seriously Silly
Billy Beast
In this humorous version of "Beauty and the Beast," Billy Beast wonders if the clean and proper Beauty will ever be the beast of his dreams.
- GenresRetellingsHumorChildrens
64 pages, Library Binding
First published August 29, 2002
1 person is currently reading
36 people want to read
About the author
Laurence Anholt
243 books87 followersIn a career spanning three decades, Laurence Anholt has produced over 200 children's books, which are published in more than 30 languages. Titles like the self-illustrated Anholt's Artists series have sold many millions of copies around the world. Laurence has also collaborated on numerous picture books with his wife, the artist, Catherine Anholt.
Laurence's first YA / Crossover novel THE HYPNOTIST was published by Penguin Random House on 6th October 2016.
The Hypnotist was described by The Bookseller as 'gripping, powerful storytelling with a powerful anti-racist message.' The book has been officially endorsed by Amnesty International, it was the winner of the Historical Association Young Quills Award, shortlisted for the Southern Schools Book Award and four major book awards. It is currently longlisted for the Carnegie Medal 2018.
Born in 1959, Laurence Anholt was brought up mainly in Holland where he developed a lasting love of Art. He went on to study Painting for 8 years, culminating in a Master's Degree from the Royal Academy of Art in London. Catherine and Laurence live and work in a house on a hill with studios and wild flower meadows, overlooking the sea in Devon, southwest England.
Laurence's books have won many awards, including the UK's prestigious Nestlé Smarties Gold Award on two occasions. For more than a decade, Laurence has been amongst the top 200 Most Borrowed Authors from UK libraries across all genres. He was included in the Independent on Sunday's Top 10 Children's Authors in the UK and was described by William Watt as "one of the most versatile authors writing for children today".
Catherine and Laurence have been closely involved with a number of literacy schemes such as the UK Government funded Bookstart scheme. Their publication Babies Love Books (also a much-loved picture book) encourages parents to share books with babies from the earliest possible age. Their work has taken them inside Buckingham Palace and Downing Street on several occasions.
Laurence's self‐illustrated Anholt's Artists series, is an introduction to great artists for young children. These beautiful books are used as part of the national school curriculum in many countries and are sold in galleries and museums all over the world. The books, which include Frida Kahlo and the Bravest Girl in the World, Camille and the Sunflowers, Degas and the Little Dancer and The Magical Garden of Claude Monet have taken Laurence on many fascinating journeys of discovery. Each scrupulously researched story is based on an actual encounter between a real child and a great artist. In several instances, Laurence has been assisted by relatives of the artists or by the protagonists themselves - for example, Laurence developed a long-standing friendship with Sylvette David, Picasso's Girl With a Ponytail. This series currently includes 10 titles and it has been adapted in many forms, including Apps for iPads, stage and TV productions and a full scale van Gogh musical which Laurence launched in Korea. The Anholt's Artists books are renowned not only for their educational value, but also for their life-affirming themes of aspiration, tolerance and acceptance of those who are different.
Laurence Anholt is a much sought after public speaker, talking about literature and his own zany view of life at conferences all over the world.
The Anholts have three grown up children, Claire and twins, Tom and Maddy. Claire is an anthropologist who works for the UN in Geneva, Maddy is an actor living in London and Tom is a successful artist based in Berlin. They also have twin grandchildren, Felix and Nina.
Laurence Anholt's interests include art, literature, adventure travel and Buddhist meditation.
For further information visit the Anholts' website: http://www.anholt.co.uk
Laurence's first YA / Crossover novel THE HYPNOTIST was published by Penguin Random House on 6th October 2016.
The Hypnotist was described by The Bookseller as 'gripping, powerful storytelling with a powerful anti-racist message.' The book has been officially endorsed by Amnesty International, it was the winner of the Historical Association Young Quills Award, shortlisted for the Southern Schools Book Award and four major book awards. It is currently longlisted for the Carnegie Medal 2018.
Born in 1959, Laurence Anholt was brought up mainly in Holland where he developed a lasting love of Art. He went on to study Painting for 8 years, culminating in a Master's Degree from the Royal Academy of Art in London. Catherine and Laurence live and work in a house on a hill with studios and wild flower meadows, overlooking the sea in Devon, southwest England.
Laurence's books have won many awards, including the UK's prestigious Nestlé Smarties Gold Award on two occasions. For more than a decade, Laurence has been amongst the top 200 Most Borrowed Authors from UK libraries across all genres. He was included in the Independent on Sunday's Top 10 Children's Authors in the UK and was described by William Watt as "one of the most versatile authors writing for children today".
Catherine and Laurence have been closely involved with a number of literacy schemes such as the UK Government funded Bookstart scheme. Their publication Babies Love Books (also a much-loved picture book) encourages parents to share books with babies from the earliest possible age. Their work has taken them inside Buckingham Palace and Downing Street on several occasions.
Laurence's self‐illustrated Anholt's Artists series, is an introduction to great artists for young children. These beautiful books are used as part of the national school curriculum in many countries and are sold in galleries and museums all over the world. The books, which include Frida Kahlo and the Bravest Girl in the World, Camille and the Sunflowers, Degas and the Little Dancer and The Magical Garden of Claude Monet have taken Laurence on many fascinating journeys of discovery. Each scrupulously researched story is based on an actual encounter between a real child and a great artist. In several instances, Laurence has been assisted by relatives of the artists or by the protagonists themselves - for example, Laurence developed a long-standing friendship with Sylvette David, Picasso's Girl With a Ponytail. This series currently includes 10 titles and it has been adapted in many forms, including Apps for iPads, stage and TV productions and a full scale van Gogh musical which Laurence launched in Korea. The Anholt's Artists books are renowned not only for their educational value, but also for their life-affirming themes of aspiration, tolerance and acceptance of those who are different.
Laurence Anholt is a much sought after public speaker, talking about literature and his own zany view of life at conferences all over the world.
The Anholts have three grown up children, Claire and twins, Tom and Maddy. Claire is an anthropologist who works for the UN in Geneva, Maddy is an actor living in London and Tom is a successful artist based in Berlin. They also have twin grandchildren, Felix and Nina.
Laurence Anholt's interests include art, literature, adventure travel and Buddhist meditation.
For further information visit the Anholts' website: http://www.anholt.co.uk
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
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May 16, 2012Billy Beast – Seriously Silly Stories
Laurence Anholt and Arthur Robins
This is a funny, almost reverse Beauty and The Beast story. Billy Beast is a disgusting creature that lives in a filthy castle with his family. The descriptions are great and quite disgusting which children will love. For example they dine on lovely things like ‘Ear wax and slug juice.’ One day Billy catches a man stealing roses from the garden and in exchange for his life he offers Billy his daughter, Beauty. Billy accepts but is horrified to find out that Beauty is pretty and clean! He tries to make her dirty and ‘beautiful’ in his eyes but his efforts are in vain. Beauty, however, falls for him and begs him to love her even though she is not filthy and ‘beautiful’ like him. Billy feels sorry for her and decides that he can love her despite her looks. He kisses her and she transforms into a filthy beast like him and ‘they were all disgustingly happy for the rest of their beastly lives.’
This book has a very Roald Dahl feel to it. The descriptions and illustrations are brilliant. Children love the kind of gruesome stuff described in the book and I think year 4/5/6 children would love it.
Laurence Anholt and Arthur Robins
This is a funny, almost reverse Beauty and The Beast story. Billy Beast is a disgusting creature that lives in a filthy castle with his family. The descriptions are great and quite disgusting which children will love. For example they dine on lovely things like ‘Ear wax and slug juice.’ One day Billy catches a man stealing roses from the garden and in exchange for his life he offers Billy his daughter, Beauty. Billy accepts but is horrified to find out that Beauty is pretty and clean! He tries to make her dirty and ‘beautiful’ in his eyes but his efforts are in vain. Beauty, however, falls for him and begs him to love her even though she is not filthy and ‘beautiful’ like him. Billy feels sorry for her and decides that he can love her despite her looks. He kisses her and she transforms into a filthy beast like him and ‘they were all disgustingly happy for the rest of their beastly lives.’
This book has a very Roald Dahl feel to it. The descriptions and illustrations are brilliant. Children love the kind of gruesome stuff described in the book and I think year 4/5/6 children would love it.
August 12, 2020
4.25 stars
July 11, 2010
Mommy says: Really funny twist on the Beauty and the Beast story with silly pictures to boot.
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November 23, 2015I'm slightly ashamed of how formative this dumb book series was to me as a child tbh
May 19, 2008
A great humorous book. ^_^
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews