Billy Button, Telegram Boy

by Sally Nicholls, Sheena Dempsey (Illustrator)

Billy Button has always dreamed of being a telegram boy. He loves their smart uniforms and shiny bicycles, but he’s too young for the job. So when the regular telegram boy breaks his arm and Mr and Mrs Button are in urgent need of a new boy, Billy jumps at the chance to don the Royal Mail badge and ride his very own bicycle. But will Billy be able to keep all the village residents happy with his deliveries? He might have to work some magic to make grumpy Mr Grundle smile…

104 pages, Paperback

First published July 15, 2016

About the author

Sally Nicholls is a prize-winning British children's author. She was born and grew up in Stockton-on-Tees. On finishing school, Nicholls chose to travel around the world. Her first novel was Ways to Live Forever.

Reviews

[Boek Fee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice to read.

[Zoe · Rating 4 out of 5]

A charming story about when breaking the rules might be the right thing to do to bring a little bit of happiness into the world.

Billy Button is a telegraph boy (author Sally Nicholls does a great job of explaining what this is for a 21st century social media savvy young readership), and isn't meant to read other people's telegrams, let alone write them but... what's a boy to do when he can see that two people who would make each other so happy are drifting apart due to a silly bit of pride?

Characters with bright independent spirits plus gorgeous, full colour illustrations which remind me (along with the general setting) of the Ahlbergs' Peepo book add up to a delightful reading experience.

This is one of the Little Gems series - and they really ARE Little Gems - just idea for newly fluent readers to enjoy themselves, or for short satisfying whole story reads by parents to children who don't want picture books any more. I've yet to read a Little Gem I didn't think was treasure in my hands.

[Nayuleska · Rating 5 out of 5]

Telegrams were extremely important before emails existed as Billy discovers! What I enjoyed the most was finding out how telegrams worked, the process they went through at the post office, the fact that boys like Billy were able to bring news to people that a normal letter couldn't do in a timely fashion. I enjoyed learning about the disadvantages of telegrams too- I'm grateful technology has advanced since then, but this provides a perfect peek into the past.

Billy has to do the right thing, but he does bend the rules a little. I wasn't mad because his heart was in the right place, and it ended up being a happy ending. There are memorable characters within the community which have me hoping hard that I'll get to read more of his adventures which are filled with charming illustrations.

I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review on my blog Nayu's Reading Corner http://nayusreadingcorner.blogspot.co...

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really charming book - my 6 year old little boy loved it. I could tell that he was relating to Billy Button and his adventure. I also liked the period that the book was set in - a nice change. Beautifully produced, a nice size for smaller hands to hold, and delightful illustrations. Eleven short chapters - we were greedy and read the whole lot in one sitting - but could easily be read over a couple of days. I am sure we will pick it up again soon for a re-read. Hoping that the author will write more gems for younger readers!

[Mehsi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I mainly picked this one for the illustrations (the cover looked really cute), but the story was quite interesting as well. A bit boring at times, and it was just a bit too coincidental how events played out, but eh, it is a children's book. :P

[Fran · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet little book with lovely illustrations. I'm also tickled that I get to understand the dedication. :)

[Mini Reviewers · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked the story. I liked how excited Billy was to become a telegram boy. I thought he did a really good job.... I didn't know what a telegram was until this book.

[Deniz Baysal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Doğa: 4
Deniz: 3.5

[Gordon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Let's take a step back in time into the world of telegrams. This is a nice little story that also teaches kids about how the world worked before the internet changed communication forever.

[Güntülü Yılmaz]

<3 Söyleyeceklerim bu kadar. :)