Willy

by Geert de Kockere

Willy has four huge legs, and a body big enough for two. His ears are so big the make a storm as they flap, and he has a small tail with a ridiculous brush on the end. But all this doesn t matter, because it turns out that these are the very things that make Willy so loved and welcomed wherever he goes.This story provides a whimsical affirmation of the differences that make each person special.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Animals, Belgian

1 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1999

About the author

Geert De Kockere is een Vlaamse schrijver.

Geert De Kockere in de Nederlandstalige Wikipedia


Geert De Kockere is a Flemish writer.

Reviews

[Beverly · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disclosure: I received an advance copy of this book from Librarything's Early Review Program

Willy by Geert De Kockere

Summary:

Willy has four huge legs, and a body big enough for two. His ears are so big the make a storm as they flap, and he has a small tail with a ridiculous brush on the end. But all this doesn’t matter, because it turns out that these are the very things that make Willy so loved and welcomed wherever he goes.

What I liked about the book: I liked the message in this book - that we are all different and those differences should be celebrated. Size and appearance don't matter.

What I didn't like about the book: Though the book is written for young children it uses too many words. The message gets lost. Some of the words are too hard for the intended audience. It's a good story, but there are better ones for young children. I would not purchase this for my school library.

[Ruby Velazquez · Rating 3 out of 5]

Willy, written by Geert De Kockere and illustrated by Carll Cneut, is a book about an elephant, his appearance, and how he was capable of doing anything. This story is very encouraging for anyone to feel like they can do anything they set their mind to no matter their abilities or appearance. Just like Willy we as people shouldn’t care about what others negatively think of us or whisper about us when we pass by. I personally like how the illustrations were different from other children’s books but after reviewing it a few times I think the images could be creepy for some children to look at. When thinking about the book being incorporated into the classroom I would consider it to be more appropriate for an older group students than kindergartners. I would use this book as a guide or an example to emphasize the moral of the story, loving yourself or being kind to others, and how students can apply this to their everyday lives.

[Amy · Rating 2 out of 5]

A book that wanted to share a great message but failed. You can definitely tell this book has been translated into English because of the unevenness of the prose and the sheer awkwardness of some of the words/phrases.

[Freddie D · Rating 3 out of 5]

Potentially much of the beauty in this Belgian text was lost in translation, as the words are quite clunky. However the pictures are beautiful and the overall message- essentially of body positivity and individuality- is lovely.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little about elephants, but an ending that celebrates diversity. Not terribly powerful, but a decent read.

[KidsFiction Teton County Library · Rating 5 out of 5]

Teton County Library Call Number: J Picture De Kockere G
Julia's Rating: 5 Stars

As many pictures books will do,the cover of "Willy" drew me in and inspired my to crack open the cover. Who can resist an elephant in a wee-little top hat and a black bow tie?

Readers meet Willy, an elephant with "leg like pillars," "a body as big as two," and "two huge ears that flopped in the wind." One might suspect that Willy might feel different or self-conscious because of these attributes, but as the story continues, readers will find that Willy is in high demand because his features make him so helpful, useful and great to have around. He does things very well - like paint, keep musical time, and resolve conflicts. He's a Renaissance man. What a guy!

Carll Cneut's illustration are just charming, whimsical portraits of fancily dressed characters, all in red, orange, black and grey. Simple yet striking.

"Willy" is a cheerful book with a heartwarming message so subtle it sneaks up on you: our features - big ears, stocky legs, wide bodies - that may cause us to be self-conscious might just be our best attributes, especially when used to help others and have a good time.

[Maria · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a story about Willy the elephant, and the things that made him special. I do like the goal of this book, but I do not like this book. The story starts off with Willy had legs like pillars. Four of them. And a body as big as two. But only one, thank goodness. Two tomatoes, two office buildings, two poodles, a body as big as two what? This question is just hanging there, and it is quite distracting. Quite frequently, the book presents the reader with choppy text that is just not comfortable to read. I also do not like the fact that poor Willy is always referred to in the past tense. What happened to this helpful elephant? [return][return]At times the illustrations were clever, but they also had a somber quality to them. The illustrations of people were a bit creepy due to their mostly expressionless faces and elongated fingers. The end of Willy s trunk looks a lot like an electrical receptacle and that does give him a unique look, but that is one of the few bright spots in this book.

[Pamela Kramer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Willy by Geert De Kockere is not your run-of-the mill picture book. It's certainly not a book for very young children, but rather a book for children in third grade and up who will understand the message of the story.

Willy is a rather large elephant. He has a ridiculous body -- "huge ears that flapped in the wind" and a tail "with a ridiculous little brush at the end."

But the reader finds out that what makes Willy ridiculous also makes him very popular. Willy could listen. "He heard everything. He heard the pros and he heard the cons; he heard the sobs and he heard the sighs."



Continue reading on Examiner.com Willy by Geert De Kockere and illustrated by Caril Cneut - National Book | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/book-in-natio...

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the message that this story tried to send. You are loveable even if you have some physical characteristics that make you stand out and that you don't like. The story follows Willy the elephant who of course has big ears, a big trunk, big legs, and a tiny little tail. He uses everything to help others; he listens with his ears, he paints with his tail and so on. Unfortunately, Willy just works for others, so the underlying message is if you have some physical imperfections make yourself useful so that others will care about you. [return][return]However the illustrations were fantastic. My favorite is where Willy sits in the front seat at the children's play and his ears are hiding the fact that the adults are sleeping through it. So pick this up for the illustrations and skip the story.

[Judy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Top notch illustrations, and an interesting style of language. Hard to know if the language is true in tone to the original which would have been in french.

I'm wondering what age group this book is for. The language is not bowing to anybody's rules. For example Willy participates in the elections, using his great bulk to 'push the candidates' and this kind of reference would be quite meaningless to young children. The illustration style is quite sophisticated too, so it comes across as a kind of art book really. The message of loving and accepting yourself for all your physical quirks seems to be most suited to a tween or teen audience, but the picture book format and particularly the cover design suggest it is for a very young audience. A clever teacher might spot it and use it to advantage in a class of upper primary aged students... Interesting.

[Green Bean · Rating 5 out of 5]

Willy the elephant's walloping waggly ears are perfect for listening with kindness. Legs like Grecian pillars ensure Willy weathers every storm! Willy uses his bigness to scoot dawdling schoolchildren off to school. Willy is very patient and can sit through a whole opera without making a fuss. This particular pachyderm even paints masterpieces with the tiny brush at the tip of his tail. Willy is too busy being wonderful to worry about the occasional tease! Belgian artist Carll Cneuts images in oil are at once goofy and sophisticated, rendering Willy an especially beautiful reminder of the wonder one can work despite waggly ears, a belly bigger than most, and a bristly little tail in the back!

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

With four massive legs, huge ears, and a massive body, Willy still manages to be comfortable in his own skin. Others accept him, and he is included in all sorts of activities. Still, he is content and accepts himself as he is. While the majority of the text revolves around Willy the elephant and his challenges, the final section reminds readers that no matter how different you may think something about you is, at least you don't have all the challenges Willy had. What a great message of self-empowerment this book contains!The illustrations show different parts of Willy and how he uses them to his advantage.

[Deb (Readerbuzz) Nance · Rating 4 out of 5]

Willy is an elephant and all the special and somewhat odd things (size, power, steadiness, skill at listening with two large ears, skill at painting details with his tiny tail) that make him an elephant came in handy for Willy. So, too, can the special and somewhat odd things about each of us come in handy for us all.

“And thus Willy went from here to there,
from small griefs to big quarrels.
To listen to one side and then the other.
He visited art and writing groups.
To paint.
And to dot the i’s.
He marched with brass bands and parades.
To keep the beat. Usually two-four.”

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

It took me a minute to catch on to this book but once I finished reading it I thoroughly enjoyed it. Willy the elephant has legs too wide, ears too big, and a trunk too long. Soon, people start to notice that is "flaws" are extremely helpful. I love the way this book embraces differences and shows the importance of being unique. A great book for students and one I would like to share with students.

[Erin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Love the illustrations! Hate the book. Maybe it's the translation (and the font), but the words to this book don't catch me. They go on and on. Yes, they have a point, but it takes forever to get there. The illustrations are definitely worth a look, though!

[Angela · Rating 3 out of 5]

Best read-aloud, this unique picture book tells the story of an elephant whose weaknesses are his strenghts. The illustrations are superb, but the story might be lost on some young readers.

Try reading it aloud with a small group.

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like the message of the book but I wish the author had a better story the kids could relate to. The reader will admire how dedicated and motivated Willy is even though he obviously has flaws others have a hard time appreciating.

[Paula · Rating 4 out of 5]

Willy the elephant has everything an elephant should have, from four sturdy legs to a tail with a little brush on the end. This book has the message for readers to feel good about themselves although they might have a body part that is not desirable, Willy approaches is at all positive too.

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this Belgian import, everybody loves Willy for who he is which is how it should be.

[Joella · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was ok. I liked it, but it felt a little preachy. Good moral though for being okay in your own skin.

[Adam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pachyderm books are always a favorite.

[Robin · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice little lesson showing that we should appreciate who people are and not how they look.

[Kristen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really cute but lost focus midway through and got too complicated.

[Sharper1 · Rating 4 out of 5]

What can I say? The ending said it all.

[Bill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Language of the text is especially appealing.

[Mary Lee · Rating 2 out of 5]

You are perfect just the way you are.