Billy Whiskers: The Autobiography of a Goat

Billy Whiskers

by Frances Trego Montgomery

A favorite of children since the early 20th century, here are the escapades of that  mischievous goat, Billy Whiskers. This is a book that children never tire of reading or hearing! All the original familiar illustrations by W. H. Fry are included: 3 color plates, 21 black-and-white drawings.

Genres: Fiction, Animals, Classics, Childrens

259 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 1969

About the author

Frances Trego Montgomery said that she got the ideas for her books by inviting groups of children to her house “between dinner and their bed time.” Together they would spin yarns and develop stories. Her book, The Wonderful Electric Elephant (1903), is considered the first science fiction novel for children.

Her most successful work was the Billy Whiskers series, for which she eventually published 25 works, some under the pseudonym F.G. Wheeler.

Reviews

[Amber J (Thereadingwitch) · Rating 2 out of 5]

I try to express only my most honest opinion in a spoiler-free way. Unfortunately, there is still always a risk of slight spoilers despite my best efforts. If you feel something in my review is a spoiler please let me know. Thank you.

This is a story about Billy Whiskers. A curious and adventurous goat. Who gets up to all kinds of things. Including hanging out with firefighters, finding love, the circus, and eating everything delicious in sight.

I didn't like it. I mean it was very interesting and full of adventure, but there is so much animal abuse and mistreatment here that I just can't like it. I know its an older book but this is supposed to be a children's book. It did give me a newfound respect and perspective on the lives of circus animals though. I'm glad that is starting to change. I give this book 1.5-star rating but I rounded up to two cause I always round up, not because I necessarily feel this book deserves it.

[Dane Peterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh that Billy Whiskers!

I'm afraid if I don't give it five stars, Billy might ram down my door and hook me just like he did to about the half the characters in the book. I'm not saying those guys didn't deserve it, but...

[Heidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

HILARIOUS! If you have goats or love goats or even if you despise goats, you must read this book. My daughter (9 yo) reads parts of it over and over and can never keep a straight face. What an accurate portrayal of goat mischief!

[Markus · Rating 3 out of 5]

Came across this series in a second hand shop. The covers were beautiful and I was intrigued that a whole series could be written about the life of a goat. Unfortunately, it wasn't that great, even for a goat lover. For the size of the book, there was no overarching plot. Billy kind of an the same type of adventure over and over. He eats stuff, makes his owners mad who in turn punish him, and he gets the best of them. Billy is super ornery, that's the main point. But it feels pretty redundant plotwise. I still would give the next book a try if I came across it.

[Lieu Nguyen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Có lẽ, để đọc hết Night & Day thì sẽ review 1 thể

[Robbie Patane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best book ever. Billy is the goat. Might have to check out some of the squeekquals…

Also the audiobook free on Spotify has a really funny voice actor.

[Susan Molloy · Rating 3 out of 5]

✔️Published in 1902.

Sorry to say, this was a b-o-r-i-n-g book that might have been exciting in its heyday. I just could not get through it to the end. The story went on and on and one and yada yada yada. You might like it. I do not. And that makes for an interesting world.

Memorable passage:

The wedding went off beautifully and the groom, minister and all the others kissed the bride and you never saw a sweeter one than poor little meek Nanny with her gentle ways; and to think she was going to marry a goat twice her size and as fiery tempered as she was mild! But people frequently marry their opposites, and why should not goats? After the wedding they all ran skipping and jumping over to the turnip patch and when they got there Billy, Satan and two other old goats threw their weight against the fence and with a crash it caved in and the whole flock of goats climbed over the broken rails into the field where they feasted until daylight.

🟣 Media form: Kindle version.
🟢 Media form: Project Gutenberg (illustrated).

[Jessica · Rating 2 out of 5]

Doesn't hold up very well over time. Feels very "and then, and then, and then" when really its just the same old scenario that Billy keeps getting into again and again. Might be good to read aloud to young listeners as individual stories but not presented as a chapter book. Definitely some silly stuff youngsters will enjoy but overall just feels way to long. Would really be more fun re-printed as a picture book.

[Peggy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a really cute book, highly enjoyable, especially for goat lovers. Each chapter is a short story in itself that stands alone for a quick read, perhaps a bedtime story. Although seemingly directed at children, it holds charm and old-fashioned quaint ways and illustrations that will delight adults as well.

[Mhwenglinsky · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had a few of these books as a child (I think my father had had them as a boy in the 20's) and thought that they were hilarious. My son (8) thinks they're a hoot, too.