Billy's Bucket

by Kes Gray, Garry Parsons (Illustrator)

Billy wants only one thing for his birthday - a bucket. Inside it, he can see all kinds of magnificent sea creatures. But Mum and Dad are sceptical and, when Dad unwittingly uses the bucket to clean his car, he's in for a big surprise!

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Short Stories, Family, Storytime, Mathematics

32 pages, Hardcover

First published April 4, 2003

About the author

Kes Gray is a bestselling, multi award-winning author of more than 70 books for children. He eats Ideaflakes for breakfast, spreads silliness on his toast and lives in a place called Different. Kes was the second bestselling picture book author in 2018.

Reviews

[Hessam Ghaeminejad · Rating 1 out of 5]

انقدر بد بود که دلم نمی‌خواد نمره‌ای بهش بدم که مبادا ارزش یک ستاره‌ها رو هم زیر سوال ببره

[Darren Shoneye · Rating 5 out of 5]

No bookshelf is complete in an early years classroom without "Billy's Bucket". This is a must have children's picture book. It was winner of the Children's Book Award. This review is in reference to the 32 Page Paperback edition.

This is such a lovely, beautiful, light-hearted story that gets your brain thinking as to why a boy would want a bucket for his birthday.

When Billy fills his bucket with water, it sets in motion mystical forces that defy the laws of nature. The premise of the story (a young boy wanting a bucket for his birthday) captivates the reader, and it keeps us right up until the end. You are constantly wondering where this story is going, and whether or not Billy’s parents will ever believe him about the world of nature that is living inside his bucket.

Unfortunately for Billy's parents they do not heed to Billy's advice, which is very clear, "You must never ever borrow my bucket."

I read a very funny review about this book, whereby a parent wrote that children can learn disastrous things can happen when people do not listen to what they have been told, just like Billy telling his parents never to use his bucket.

There is a constant repetition of the word ‘bucket’ which really ingrains the word into your head. In many ways it reinforces the idea that this book was written to be read aloud and enjoyed by groups of children all listening to it together in unison. If read aloud to a group, I really feel that it will breathe animation to the words on the pages of the book.

There are some absolutely fantastic lesson plans that could arise as a result of this book. I, for one know that many early years teachers have read this book aloud to nursery, reception and year one children, and they have all absolutely loved it.

Playing on the subjectivity of one’s mind is a powerful skill. We each have different thoughts, ideas and opinions. Children could bring in their own buckets and decide what kind of things they would like to imagine being inside it. They could draw and/or write down all their ideas, and then place them inside the bucket, and share them with the rest of the group. They can be as creative as they want.

Another great aspect of this book is the illustrations. The illustrations beautifully compliment the imaginative content. Whilst reading the book we transcend into Billy's world, which is a great one that children will love being a part of. It is even a very fun book for adults to read, as it really arouses your curiosity the very first time that you read it. The genius is in its simplicity; the whole focus on something as simple as a bucket enhances the engaging element to the book.

[Majeda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book review: Billy’s Bucket by Kes Gray and Gary Parsons

Age range: 5-8 years old

All Billy wants for his birthday is a bucket. His parents take him to ‘Buckets-R-Us’, where there are buckets of every kind but Billy is looking for one particular bucket; a special bucket. After filling it with water, Billy discovers that his bucket is in fact an ocean with a rock pool, crabs and seaweed. Each time Billy looks into his bucket he sees his imaginative sea world with sharks, stingrays, clownfish, and mermaids in his bucket.

This book is great to encourage imaginative play in young children. Billy’s imagination led him into a magical ocean adventure where he found all sorts of sea creatures. The idea of Billy’s bucket can be used during carpet time to get the children imagining what they might possibly see in Billy’s bucket. Billy’s bucket is a fun, brightly coloured book and can be used to create fun learning activities. One important theme of the book is the celebration of birthdays. Children often want extravagant gifts for their birthdays but all Billy wanted was a bucket. His parents offered him a number of gifts including trainers, a computer game and a bike but Billy insisted that he would much rather have a bucket. Billy’s Bucket illustrates the pleasure that comes from imaginative play and helps develop creative, playful minds.

[Tara · Rating 5 out of 5]

All Billy wanted for his birthday was a bucket, to the amusement of his parents. They laugh at what Billy can see in his bucket – all sorts of under the sea creatures. “I told you not to borrow my bucket” said Billy. They should have listened and the consequences are literally huge! This books is brilliant in getting children to use their imagination and seeing what they can find in their own bucket. The pictures are really great, bright and colourful just like Billy’s imagination. A really wonderful book that can be used in a variety of ways especially for EYFS and KS1.

[Parvin Roosta · Rating 5 out of 5]

داستانی زیبا از وسعت تخیل کودکان و اینکه ما بزرگتر ها نباید خرابشون کنیم. یاد تخیل کودکی خودم افتادم و اینکه همیشه دوست داشتم اون سطل سحرآمیز توی کارتونی که میدیدم رو داشته باشم:)

[Marya · Rating 5 out of 5]

دیدن یک اقیانوس کامل در یک سطل هم هنریه که هرکسی نداره. کاش من هم مثل بیلی کوچک هنرمند بودم.

[Georgia Vaughan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book! Perfect for EY and KS1. Such a simple idea with big meanings! Billy only wants a bucket for his his birthday - not a bike, trainers etc, like his parents suggest to him. With beautiful illustrations, Billy's imagination and creativity is captured. The story of course, subtly is reinforcing to children that they do not have to necessarily be materialistic to have good play! The latest technology or clothing or toy trends is not needed with an imagination like this. This is a classic 'low thresh-hold, high ceiling' book which can be used as a basis to form many activities - from arts and craft such as filling their own bucket, to deeper discussion delving around the need to accumulate the more typical 'stuff'. An essential on a children's book shelf in my eyes! :)

[Flo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yep, love it.

About a little boy, Billy, who wants a bucket for his birthday. His parents can't believe he doesn't want something a little more age appropriate i.e. a computer game, but happily take him along to the humorously named 'Buckets'R'Us'. After picking out his favourite bucket from the shelves, Billy allows his imagination to run wild. He sees many different sea animals at the bottom of his bucket, whilst his parents laugh away at what he's describing.

I have used this picture book for teaching this week. Our learning and continuous provision is based around the topic of Under the Sea. It's an excellent book for teaching expanded noun phrases and provoking children's imagination. I would definitely recommend having this for a KS1 classroom.

[Diane · Rating 3 out of 5]

More than a bike, new sneakers or a computer game, Billy wants a bucket for his birthday. His parents are skeptical, but agree to take him bucket shopping at Buckets R Us. When Billy brings the bucket home, he describes all the sea life that he observes swimming around inside. His parents laugh it off, but when they borrow the bucket, they have a whale of a problem on their hands.

[Clare · Rating 3 out of 5]

The fact that Billy asks for a bucket for his birthday perplexes his parents. They offer suggestions of other more regular run-of-the-mill gifts but he sticks to his original request. His parents finally agree and take him to a store where he can pick out the bucket he wants. When they get back home Billy fills the bucket with water and his imagination soars. Or is it just his imagination?

[حمیم · Rating 4 out of 5]

سلام
متن داستان کودکانه بود و برای بچه ها خوب هست و داستان از این قرار یک بچه به اسم بیلی به اصرار زیاد والدینش برای یه سطل میخرم و بیلی چیز های تخیلی زیادی رو در اون سطل تصور می‌کنه.
ترجمه خیلی عالی و روانی داشت و واقعا این نکته رو گوشزد کرد که والدین نباید دنیای خیالی بچه ها رو خراب کنند
https://taaghche.com/book/20931

[Sarah Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book for EYFS, KS1 and adults. The book beautifully captures children's use of their imagination and takes the reader on an adventure on what can been seen inside Billy's bucket. If only mum and dad believed Billy and his adventures...perhaps a lesson for all gown ups!

[Maya Brainard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Billy's Bucket has always been one of my favorites since I was a kid. It shows just how much imagination children have and how it can sometimes be a real thing. Parents need to make sure they are listening to their children and allowing them to play as they please.

[Mahsa · Rating 3 out of 5]

سطل بیلی یه مفهوم خیلی ساده رو برات میگه : همدلی
اینکه اگه کسی برای چیزی ارزش قائله، اگه چیزی ناراحتش می‌کنه... تمام سعیت رو بکنی تا از نگاه اون جهان رو ببینی.
و همین اتفاق ساده، چقدر دنیا رو جای قشنگ‌تری می‌کنه.

به وقت دی هزار و چهارصد

[Rosalind · Rating 3 out of 5]

داستان جالب و روونی بود، با این حال انتهاش کمی گنگ بود و دیدم که برداشت‌های متفاوتی از این داستان شده. برای کودکان هم مناسب نیست، اتفاقاً برای والدین مناسبه این کتاب. تخیل کودکان رو خوب نشون داده بود.

سطل بیلی رو از طاقچه بخونید:
https://taaghche.com/book/20931

[الناز ی · Rating 4 out of 5]

کاش هیچ دیواری برای ذهن بچه هامون قرار ندیم هیچ وقت !

[Lynn Davidson · Rating 4 out of 5]

All Billy wanted for his birthday was a bucket. Finally, his parents relented and took him shopping for one. When he found the special one he was looking for he filled it with water and then he could see many amazing things. He told his parents to NEVER borrow it, but they did! That led to a big OOPS!

[Hannah-Louise Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can’t even 🤣

[Holly]

I read this to kids in a class I volunteer in for their topic lessons :)

[Lev · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked that the whale came out of the bucket and they said they'll never ever borrow Billy's bucket agian.

[Catherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely! What is real and what is not? Who decides? Why don't parents listen to their children?

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet story full of wonderful pictures and ideas. A story to set any child's imagination of fire of just what might be in a bucket.

[Emily Bowers · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet story full of wonderful pictures and ideas. A story to set any child's imagination on fire of just what might be in a bucket.

[امیرمحمد حیدری · Rating 4 out of 5]

یکی از جالب‌ترین استعاره‌ها از تخیل انسان، میزان ظرفیت لایتناهی آن و ارزش آن، سطلِ بیلی بود.

[John Atherstone · Rating 2 out of 5]

A sweet book, but I did not find it particularly striking in any way. Perhaps students would find its lesson on the power of imagination an encouragement.

[Kamaria · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute read, I wish I had a bucket like Billy's.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Silly and whimsical. I really enjoyed this book.

[Kate Butcher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great for cross curricular tasks. Used for maths with introducing capacity and in English writing stories about what's in your bucket. Suitable for EYFS and KS1, a lovely story about a little boy with a huge imagination.

[Claire Phelan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Billy’s Bucket is a wonderful book written by Kes Gray to get children imaginations running wild. All Billy wants for his birthday from his mum and dad is a bucket, just an ordinary bucket. His parents try to persuade him otherwise but fail so they all take a trip to “Buckets-R-Us”. During their visit to “Buckets-R-Us”, Billy is very particular about what bucket he wants. Billy is delighted with his bucket and fills it with water as soon as he gets home. This is when the ‘magic’ happens; every time Billy peers into his bucket he sees a variety of magical watery worlds. Billy’s parents are sceptical and are left shocked and surprised one morning after his dad borrows the bucket to wash his car.

This book is perfect for children in Key Stage 1 as it encourages children to use their imagination. The illustrations that go along with the story really let you the reader dive right into Billy’s magical watery world.

This book could be used as an opening lesson to creative writing, allowing children to recreate their own stories and their own magical watery worlds to share with their peers. It could also be used to discuss the magical world of under the sea.

[Kristina · Rating 5 out of 5]

my daughter really enjoyed this book. I thought that was a good book for imaginations. my daughter did get a little upset that the boys parents kept laughing at him. I would recommend this book to others.