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Hey Jack! #12
The Playground Problem
Jack's friend Billie is away, so Jack hangs out with Alex instead. They have heaps of fun together! But what will happen when Billie comes back?
- GenresChildrens
42 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 2013
2 people are currently reading
72 people want to read
About the author
Sally Rippin
784 books224 followersSally Rippin was born in Darwin, but grew up mainly in South-East Asia. As a young adult she lived in China for three years, studying traditional Chinese painting. Sally has over seventy books published, many of them award-winning, including two novels for young adults. Her most recent work includes the highly acclaimed children’s novel Angel Creek and the popular Billie B Brown books, which became the highest selling series for 6-8 year olds in Australia within the first year of their release. Sally is Australia’s highest selling female author and her Billie B Brown books have sold more than 4.5 million copies in 14 languages.
Sally is a popular presenter in schools and at literary festivals both in Australia and overseas and has a regular program on 3RRR interviewing children’s authors and industry professionals. She is a passionate ambassador for the 100 Story Building creative writing centre for marginalized youth and has mentored many emerging writers and illustrators. Recently, she and her partner co-founded Story Peddlers, a hand-made performance tent that packs away into a custom-built bike, with the aim of bringing back the art of the roving storyteller.
Sally is a popular presenter in schools and at literary festivals both in Australia and overseas and has a regular program on 3RRR interviewing children’s authors and industry professionals. She is a passionate ambassador for the 100 Story Building creative writing centre for marginalized youth and has mentored many emerging writers and illustrators. Recently, she and her partner co-founded Story Peddlers, a hand-made performance tent that packs away into a custom-built bike, with the aim of bringing back the art of the roving storyteller.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
June 23, 2020
Cute story for kids - especially firsties that covers emotions and a sticky situation they might also run into on the playground. Great introduction of some new vocabulary and uses problem-solving skills. Very well rounded book.
January 14, 2019
When I say I really like it I mean that for a 1st -3rd grader it would be a really good book. As kids forge new friendships, books like this can always be of help. Jack doesn't want to disappoint his best friend, Billie, but found a friend who has a common interest-feeding and studying ants. He soon finds they can all be friends, while he still has a best friend too!
I am reading at least one of everyone of my books in a series, this being one of them. It is related to the Billie B. Brown series.
I am reading at least one of everyone of my books in a series, this being one of them. It is related to the Billie B. Brown series.
September 13, 2014
Since his best friend Billie isn't around, Jack spends time observing ants on the playground with Alex. But when Billie comes back, Jack feels torn and ends up hurting Alex. The book shows in simple fashion how he solves his dilemma and makes up for his unintended cruelty. This is a good book for youngsters trying to figure out what the right things to do during difficult but realistic situations might be.
May 20, 2022
Jack feels like being quiet, his hands are in his pocket because he's in a lonely mood.
Billie is away from school because she's sick. Jack has no one to play with. At recess, sits under the peppercorn tree thinking how long and boring the day will be.
Alex is in Jack's class and he comes over to Jack. Alex asks Jack if he wants to see something cool. They walk over to the other end of the playground. Alex points to a mound of dirt and shows Jack an ants nest. Alex explains about the worker ants carrying food to the queen ant and her babies.
The next day Billie is at school, but she doesn't want to see the ants' nest when Alex asks Jack to join him. Jack doesn't want to disappoint Billie so he goes to play soccer with her. He sees Alex beside the ants' nest and tells a fib to Billie. 'I'm going to the toilet,' but he scooted around and went to see what Alex was doing with the Ants.
Billie is cross with Jack when they get to the classroom. Jack tells Billie Alex isn't a friend of his and that he doesn't like him. Another fib. Then Jack sees that Alex is right behind him. 'I don't like you either,' Alex shouts. Jack feels bad about lying to both his friends.
Jack goes to Alex and apologies explaining if he doesn't play soccer with Billie at lunchtime their team will lose. Alex tells Jack he likes soccer too. That's when Jack finds out that Billie will always be his best friend, but it's good to have other friends like Alex too.
Billie is away from school because she's sick. Jack has no one to play with. At recess, sits under the peppercorn tree thinking how long and boring the day will be.
Alex is in Jack's class and he comes over to Jack. Alex asks Jack if he wants to see something cool. They walk over to the other end of the playground. Alex points to a mound of dirt and shows Jack an ants nest. Alex explains about the worker ants carrying food to the queen ant and her babies.
The next day Billie is at school, but she doesn't want to see the ants' nest when Alex asks Jack to join him. Jack doesn't want to disappoint Billie so he goes to play soccer with her. He sees Alex beside the ants' nest and tells a fib to Billie. 'I'm going to the toilet,' but he scooted around and went to see what Alex was doing with the Ants.
Billie is cross with Jack when they get to the classroom. Jack tells Billie Alex isn't a friend of his and that he doesn't like him. Another fib. Then Jack sees that Alex is right behind him. 'I don't like you either,' Alex shouts. Jack feels bad about lying to both his friends.
Jack goes to Alex and apologies explaining if he doesn't play soccer with Billie at lunchtime their team will lose. Alex tells Jack he likes soccer too. That's when Jack finds out that Billie will always be his best friend, but it's good to have other friends like Alex too.
November 17, 2017
Very cute and quick read. Jack's best friend, Billie, is sick and not at school. So, he plays with Alex instead. The next day, Jack doesn't know what to do, does he play with Alex or Billie? He wants to do both, but doesn't want to make anyone mad. Very good story and deals with everyday dilemmas that a child might have. Can't wait to read it to my son!
January 10, 2023
Reflective of the very real emotions kids feel as they begin to navigate friendships.
July 30, 2016
12 - Sally Rippin, “Hey Jack! The Playground Problem” (Richmond, Victoria, Aust: Hardie Grant Egmont, 2013).
“But it's good to have other friends too, he thinks happily. Two friends mean twice the fun!”
“But it's good to have other friends too, he thinks happily. Two friends mean twice the fun!”
June 26, 2018
Read this for a story time to kids ages 5-8 years olds. They liked it and I loved the new vocabulary and that the main character made mistakes (lying, deception) but admitted to them and made them right.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews