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Dolly Parton's Billy the Kid Makes It Big

Author Dolly Parton, Erica S. Perl
Illustrated by MacKenzie Haley
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Hardcover
$19.99 US
Penguin Young Readers | Penguin Workshop
9.31"W x 9.31"H x 0.29"D   | 13 oz | 24 per carton
On sale Apr 25, 2023 | 40 Pages | 9780593661574
Age 4-7 years | Preschool - 2
Reading Level: Lexile 540L | Fountas & Pinnell M
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From the legendary Dolly Parton comes a story about her god-dog and Instagram personality, Billy the Kid, who is hoping to make it big as a country music star in Nashville, Tennessee.

French bulldog Billy the Kid was born with an ear for music. And not just any music. He loves barking to the beat of country music! So Billy sets out to Nashville to sing his heart out.

But when he meets some big bullies at the Battle of the Bow-wows, Billy worries he's barking up the wrong tree. He'll need his favorite songs ("Jowlene" and "I Will Pawlways Love You," of course), a group of scrappy new friends, and his favorite country music star to regain self-confidence and be the star he always knew he could be.

Written by Dolly Parton with Erica S. Perl and illustrated by MacKenzie Haley, this is a delightful picture book about standing up to people (and dogs) who put you down and finding the drive to achieve your dreams.
A 2023 Good Housekeeping Best Kid's Book of the Year Nominee 

"Music takes center stage and bullies get properly pun-ished in this hearty and wholesome howl."—Kirkus Reviews

"With Perl, Parton expands her song “Makin’ Fun Ain’t Funny” into a bighearted anti-bullying fable starring a French bulldog with big dreams. Warm pastel-hued rainbows carry musical notes throughout Haley’s images of cartoon pooches in a message-driven story that includes plenty of Easter eggs for Dolly fans. Lyrics to “Makin’ Fun Ain’t Funny” conclude." —Publishers Weekly

"The queen of country music (and an early childhood literacy advocate) crafts a howling tale about her beloved “god-dog” Billy, who follows his musical dreams even when things get, well, ruff. . .its clear anti-bullying message is told in the context of a charming story." —Good Housekeeping
Dolly Parton is the most honored and revered female singer-songwriter of all time. She has garnered 11 Grammy Awards and over 50 nominations, including the Lifetime Achievement Award. Achieving 27 Recording Industry Association of America gold, platinum, and multi-platinum awards and certifications, she has had 26 songs reach the top of the Billboard country charts, a record for a female artist. Parton is a member of the coveted Country Music Hall of Fame, as well as the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. To date, she has donated more than 200 million books to children globally with her Imagination Library. With James Patterson, she co-authored the #1 New York Times bestseller Run Rose Run. She has also released the bestselling coffee table books Songteller and Behind the Seams. In 2023, her album Rockstar debuted at #1 on six Billboard charts, the biggest first-week sales debut of her seven-decade career. View titles by Dolly Parton
© Evy Mages
Erica S. Perl is the author of more than forty books for young readers. Her middle grade novels include All Three Stooges (National Jewish Book Award, Sydney Taylor Honor Book), When Life Gives You O.J. (ALA Notable, Amazon Best Book), and White Bird: A Novel (with R.J. Palacio). Erica’s picture books include When Carrot Met Cookie and Billy the Kid Makes It Big (with Dolly Parton). She also writes early chapter books (the Arnold and Louise series) and early readers (the Truth or Lie series and the Lucky Dogs series). Erica is on the faculty of Vermont College of Fine Arts’ MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults program. She loves dogs, guinea pigs, stale red licorice, and visiting schools. Her website is ericaperl.com and her social media presence is @ericaperl. View titles by Erica S. Perl
MacKenzie Haley View titles by MacKenzie Haley

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About

From the legendary Dolly Parton comes a story about her god-dog and Instagram personality, Billy the Kid, who is hoping to make it big as a country music star in Nashville, Tennessee.

French bulldog Billy the Kid was born with an ear for music. And not just any music. He loves barking to the beat of country music! So Billy sets out to Nashville to sing his heart out.

But when he meets some big bullies at the Battle of the Bow-wows, Billy worries he's barking up the wrong tree. He'll need his favorite songs ("Jowlene" and "I Will Pawlways Love You," of course), a group of scrappy new friends, and his favorite country music star to regain self-confidence and be the star he always knew he could be.

Written by Dolly Parton with Erica S. Perl and illustrated by MacKenzie Haley, this is a delightful picture book about standing up to people (and dogs) who put you down and finding the drive to achieve your dreams.

Praise

A 2023 Good Housekeeping Best Kid's Book of the Year Nominee 

"Music takes center stage and bullies get properly pun-ished in this hearty and wholesome howl."—Kirkus Reviews

"With Perl, Parton expands her song “Makin’ Fun Ain’t Funny” into a bighearted anti-bullying fable starring a French bulldog with big dreams. Warm pastel-hued rainbows carry musical notes throughout Haley’s images of cartoon pooches in a message-driven story that includes plenty of Easter eggs for Dolly fans. Lyrics to “Makin’ Fun Ain’t Funny” conclude." —Publishers Weekly

"The queen of country music (and an early childhood literacy advocate) crafts a howling tale about her beloved “god-dog” Billy, who follows his musical dreams even when things get, well, ruff. . .its clear anti-bullying message is told in the context of a charming story." —Good Housekeeping

Author

Dolly Parton is the most honored and revered female singer-songwriter of all time. She has garnered 11 Grammy Awards and over 50 nominations, including the Lifetime Achievement Award. Achieving 27 Recording Industry Association of America gold, platinum, and multi-platinum awards and certifications, she has had 26 songs reach the top of the Billboard country charts, a record for a female artist. Parton is a member of the coveted Country Music Hall of Fame, as well as the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. To date, she has donated more than 200 million books to children globally with her Imagination Library. With James Patterson, she co-authored the #1 New York Times bestseller Run Rose Run. She has also released the bestselling coffee table books Songteller and Behind the Seams. In 2023, her album Rockstar debuted at #1 on six Billboard charts, the biggest first-week sales debut of her seven-decade career. View titles by Dolly Parton
© Evy Mages
Erica S. Perl is the author of more than forty books for young readers. Her middle grade novels include All Three Stooges (National Jewish Book Award, Sydney Taylor Honor Book), When Life Gives You O.J. (ALA Notable, Amazon Best Book), and White Bird: A Novel (with R.J. Palacio). Erica’s picture books include When Carrot Met Cookie and Billy the Kid Makes It Big (with Dolly Parton). She also writes early chapter books (the Arnold and Louise series) and early readers (the Truth or Lie series and the Lucky Dogs series). Erica is on the faculty of Vermont College of Fine Arts’ MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults program. She loves dogs, guinea pigs, stale red licorice, and visiting schools. Her website is ericaperl.com and her social media presence is @ericaperl. View titles by Erica S. Perl
MacKenzie Haley View titles by MacKenzie Haley

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