The Best Way to Play

Little Bill

by Bill Cosby, Varnette P. Honeywood (Illustrator)

[Scholastic Readers Level 3]

This easy-to-read story about friendship by comedian and storyteller Bill Cosby is now a Scholastic Reader!
Little Bill and his friends LOVE the TV show Space Explorers. And so when the new Space Explorers video game comes out, they each want a copy.
But when Little Bill asks his parents to buy him the game, they say no. So Little Bill and his friends go to their friend Andrew's house to play the game.
What they discover, though, is that the video game isn't nearly as much fun nor as challenging as what their imaginations can dream up!

Genres: Childrens, Fiction, Picture Books, Book Club, Banned Books, Realistic Fiction, African American

40 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1997

About the author

William Henry Cosby Jr. is an American retired comedian, actor, and media personality. Often cited as a trailblazer for African Americans in the entertainment industry, Cosby was a film, television, and stand-up comedy star, with his longest-running live-action role being that of Cliff Huxtable in the sitcom The Cosby Show (1984–1992). He also released several stand-up comedy albums and was a popular spokesperson in advertising for decades. Cosby was well known in the United States for his fatherly image and gained a reputation as "America's Dad". Since 2014, dozens of allegations of sexual assault have been made against him.
Cosby began his career as a stand-up comic at the Hungry I nightclub in San Francisco in 1961, and primarily performed observational comedy in a conversational style. He released numerous standup specials starting with Bill Cosby Is a Very Funny Fellow...Right! (1963) and starred in the comedy film Bill Cosby: Himself (1983). Cosby still holds the record for winning the most Grammy Awards for Best Comedy Album, with seven wins. His acting career began with a starring role in the NBC secret-agent show I Spy (1965–1968), which broke new ground for African Americans when he made history by winning three Primetime Emmy Awards for Best Actor in a Drama Series, becoming the first black actor to do so.
Cosby made his film debut starring in Man and Boy (1971) followed by Hickey & Boggs (1972), Uptown Saturday Night (1974), Let's Do It Again (1975), A Piece of the Action (1977), Leonard Part 6 (1987), and Ghost Dad (1990). He produced and starred in a series of television sitcoms such as The Bill Cosby Show (1969–1971), Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids (1972–1985) and The Cosby Show (1984–1992) as well as its the spin-off A Different World (1987–1993), The Cosby Mysteries (1994–1995), and Cosby (1996–2000). He hosted Kids Say the Darndest Things (1998–2000). During his prolific career he advertised numerous products including the Jell-O ice pop treats Pudding Pop.
Over 60 women have accused Cosby of rape, drug-facilitated sexual assault, sexual battery, child sexual abuse and sexual harassment. Those allegations gained traction 2014 after a set which made mention of them by fellow comedian Hannibal Buress went viral. Numerous allegations followed with Cosby maintaining his innocence and repeatedly denying the allegations made against him. Despite receiving numerous awards and honorary degrees, several of them were revoked following the allegations. Reruns of The Cosby Show and other programs featuring Cosby were pulled from syndication. In 2018, Cosby was convicted of aggravated sexual assault against Andrea Constand. He was imprisoned until the conviction was vacated in June 2021 by the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania on the basis of Cosby's 5th Amendment and 14th Amendment due process rights having been violated. In 2022, Cosby was found civilly liable for having sexually assaulted Judy Huth when she was 16.

Reviews

[XIS Grade 3 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it because it is like a boy really in space. (Champion)

[Beverly · Rating 4 out of 5]

An Oprah book club selection.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just finished reading the childrens’ book “THE BEST WAY TO PLAY” by BILL COSBY & illustrated by VARNETTE P. HONEYWOOD. This is #23 in my Oprah Reads and Re-reads bookclub. This easy-to-read story about friendship by comedian and storyteller Bill Cosby is now a Scholastic Reader! Little Bill and his friends LOVE the TV show Space Explorers. And so when the new Space Explorers video game comes out, they each want a copy. But when Little Bill asks his parents to buy him the game, they say no. So Little Bill and his friends go to their friend Andrew's house to play the game. What they discover, though, is that the video game isn't nearly as much fun nor as challenging as what their imaginations can dream up! These Little Bill books affirm the value of friendships and family relationships and encourage children to solve problems fairly and creatively. Each book features a letter to parentsby child psychiatry specialist Dr.Alvin Poussaint.

[Michelle Kampmeier · Rating 2 out of 5]

No. This was ridiculous. Yes, it had a great moral, and I agree with the idea that it's better to use imagination and go outside to play with friends instead of sitting in a chair in front of a TV playing video games, but seriously. The white kid's family bought the video game! And they obviously wasted their money because the kids decided to play outside instead. Goodness. Glad I'm done with these now.

[J.D. Holman · Rating 4 out of 5]

My Banned Books Week read this year. The series has been challenged not because of their content, but because of allegations against the author. This book is about how much more fun it can be to play with friends, using your imagination, rather than video games. It's a nice message without being preachy.

[Kevin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book because the local library is running a literacy incentive program that encourages readers to select books from a variety of categories. One of the categories this year is "banned books". I found this series on the ALA's list of "10 most challenged books of 2016" http://www.ala.org/advocacy/bbooks/fr...

[Maki · Rating 4 out of 5]

These are great conflict books for kids figuring out how to play with others. I always tell my students, don't ask if you can play, you are setting yourself up for someone to say no. Instead ask, "What are you playing and who is it?" and join in the fun!

[Kyndra Lemke]

Oprah book club read.

[Cathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book to read to a 3 1/2 year old. He really enjoyed listening to me read it and loved the pictures.

[Stephen Chase · Rating 1 out of 5]

Still not meant to have his name!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Jay DeMoir · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bedtime story with the kiddos 🖤🖤

[Faloni © · Rating 5 out of 5]

🎥🌹💕🎼 A friendship that will never end<3 The Best Way to Play: A Little Bill Book by Bill Cosby

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5212

[Sherry Thornberry · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. Its about having a good imagination and also about the trap of video games. I argue all the time with my son about how video games are a money trap and how his time could be better spent. Bill Cosby managed to write a good story about that very topic that got the point across in a real way.

[Dolly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a wonderful tale about curiosity, imagination, and the lure of commercialism. I like that they discover that playing outside is much more fun than playing a video game. This is a great book to read aloud with children.

[Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book and noticed that it applies to many children. They would rather be outdoors exploring plants, insects and animals than indoors watching television all day. This book builds a child's imagination as well as his/her want to go outside and explore their world.

[Rhandy · Rating 1 out of 5]

this book is not as good as the other little bill books.i will reccomend this book to 3rd graders.

[Cws]

JEAR2-Cos

[Twyla · Rating 5 out of 5]

They like playing space people with pretending. They pretend a piece of an old car a carpet and two baskets are a spaceship. My favorite part was when they all played a game. Auryn 7yo

[Theresa · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Best Way to Play: A Little Bill Book
Cosby, Bill
"a good picture book showing friendship and learning not related to the modern outlook of Bill Cosby
"

[Gale · Rating 3 out of 5]

One kid gets something...every kid wants one

[Deborah Harris]

AR Quiz No. 19890 EN Fiction
Accelerated Reader Quiz Information IL: LG - BL: 2.5 - AR Pts: 0.5
Accelerated Reader Quiz Type Information AR Quiz Types: RP, VP

[Glenn Banks · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well I read this book but when I downloaded it I did not know it was for kids need to do a better job at screening. I agree with what he is trying to accomplish.

[Jannon LaRue · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! A good message and easy to understand.

[Velinda Ivie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Little Bill books. They teach lots of morals and values.

[Sherrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book. Wonderful pictures.