Billy is always the odd student out. All the teachers call him “their most challenging student.” Billy’s parents and teachers are concerned about how odd he is. When the librarian announces that their school would be holding a book contest, Billy immediately gets to work. Billy brings his nose boogers to life in the most interesting of ways in his book “Billy’s Boogers”, illustrated by Billy himself. Billy’s boogers become super heroes and help Billy with a variety of challenges. Billy is his own hero in his book. When it comes time for the contest, Billy is very excited to discover that his principal will judge the contest, because he believes that the principal likes him. Billy’s creativity makes his book the most checked out book in the library. Billy’s creativeness and attitude towards the end of the book sets the stage for the following year’s book contest. This book was illustrated by William Joyce as an adult and as a child. The colorful animated illustrations keep the readers interested. Inside the book, William Joyce presents his own work as a child, where the illustrations are dark and simple. Billy’s Boogers would be a good read for a classroom of young children in need of topics to write about or struggling with creativity. This book captures open-mindedness and creativity within the first few pages. It encourages young students to pursue writing no matter what the teacher or principal might say.
BIBLO: 2015, Atheneum Books for Young Readers/Simon and Schuster Children’s Publishing Division, Ages 6 to 9, $9.98.
REVIEWER: Kristen Powell
FORMAT: Early Reader
ISBN: 1442473517
ISBN: 978-1442473515

I am not normally a fan of booger jokes. But I trust William Joyce. This is a book by the adult Joyce about how he came to write his first book when he was ten or so, a book called Billy's Booger, which is included.

Very cool.

Library copy ( )

I loved this book. The message was sweet. It was all about being yourself and following your passion. In the end it was also about not letting things like winning effect how successful you feel about what you have accomplished. ( )

This is a super silly book about a boy with a booger. Billy is a boy who isn’t very good at school, but he sure likes to draw. When a book contest is announced, Billy decides to create a book titled Billy’s Booger. Although Billy’s book doesn’t win a prize in the contest, it becomes one of the most beloved books at the library and all of his friends and classmates read it. This story doesn’t show someone triumphantly winning, but ultimately failing. It teaches the lesson that although a prize may not be awarded, the outcome can still be good. A teacher could use this to teach their students a lesson good sportsmanship and not losing hope. Billy was sad that he lost, but in the end it wasn’t so bad. Joyce’s illustrations are colorful, fun, and full of life! The book that Billy wrote is also included inside and it is very fun that the reader actually gets to see it. This is a fun, inspiring book for all. ( )

RL 4.9