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Billy and Rose: Just the Way They Are

Candlewick Sparks

Author Amy Hest
Illustrated by Kady MacDonald Denton
Paperback
$5.99 US
6"W x 9"H x 0.19"D   | 4 oz | 111 per carton
On sale Apr 30, 2024 | 48 Pages | 9781536235173
Age 4-8 years | Preschool - 3
Reading Level: Lexile AD450L | Fountas & Pinnell K
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Billy and Rose are prone to serious discussion in their second outing about the ups and downs of negotiating friendship.

The diligent sheep and the mellow pig who debuted in Billy and Rose: Forever Friends are back—and they have strong opinions! Even best friends can disagree, whether the topic is books (tall blue books versus fat red ones), rain (will it or won’t it?), the perils of a bad hair day (should Rose concur that Billy is having one?), or the incendiary question of which flavor of cupcake is best. Sharing—books and a purple umbrella, compliments and cupcakes (two flavors)—is the antidote to seriousness in this second set of four witty stories to feature the endearing pair. Kady MacDonald Denton’s warm and spirited illustrations complement Amy Hest’s gentle study of friends as they debate the important issues of the day—and reap the rewards of compromise.
  • SELECTION | 2024
    Bank Street College Best Children's Book of the Year
  • SELECTION | 2023
    Junior Library Guild Selection
Beginning readers who enjoyed Billy and Rose: Forever Friends (2022) will welcome this equally charming sequel. Written with the simplicity of empathy, it makes the point that friends may not agree on everything, as long as they care about each other. Denton's gentle ink-and-watercolor illustrations portray Billy and Rose with soft, spring colors and the graceful, expressive positions and movements of dancers. A beguiling choice for beginning readers.
—Booklist

Gentle words and fluid watercolor-and-ink illustrations remind readers how special friendship is. . . . Patterns within the stories will help early readers break into reading. . . but what stands out is how Billy and Rose clearly and calmly verbalize their opinions and model sharing, compromise, acceptance, and respecting individual differences. . . . A treasure trove of social-emotional skills.
—Kirkus Reviews

Charming illustrations are the perfect accompaniment to ‘Billy & Rose: Just the Way They Are’ — a delightful story of friendship and how differences are not a barrier to getting along with one another.
—The Reading Eagle
Amy Hest is a three-time winner of the Christopher Medal and winner of the BOSTON GLOBE-HORN BOOK Award. She lives in New York City. View titles by Amy Hest
Kady MacDonald Denton View titles by Kady MacDonald Denton

Photos

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About

Billy and Rose are prone to serious discussion in their second outing about the ups and downs of negotiating friendship.

The diligent sheep and the mellow pig who debuted in Billy and Rose: Forever Friends are back—and they have strong opinions! Even best friends can disagree, whether the topic is books (tall blue books versus fat red ones), rain (will it or won’t it?), the perils of a bad hair day (should Rose concur that Billy is having one?), or the incendiary question of which flavor of cupcake is best. Sharing—books and a purple umbrella, compliments and cupcakes (two flavors)—is the antidote to seriousness in this second set of four witty stories to feature the endearing pair. Kady MacDonald Denton’s warm and spirited illustrations complement Amy Hest’s gentle study of friends as they debate the important issues of the day—and reap the rewards of compromise.

Awards

  • SELECTION | 2024
    Bank Street College Best Children's Book of the Year
  • SELECTION | 2023
    Junior Library Guild Selection

Praise

Beginning readers who enjoyed Billy and Rose: Forever Friends (2022) will welcome this equally charming sequel. Written with the simplicity of empathy, it makes the point that friends may not agree on everything, as long as they care about each other. Denton's gentle ink-and-watercolor illustrations portray Billy and Rose with soft, spring colors and the graceful, expressive positions and movements of dancers. A beguiling choice for beginning readers.
—Booklist

Gentle words and fluid watercolor-and-ink illustrations remind readers how special friendship is. . . . Patterns within the stories will help early readers break into reading. . . but what stands out is how Billy and Rose clearly and calmly verbalize their opinions and model sharing, compromise, acceptance, and respecting individual differences. . . . A treasure trove of social-emotional skills.
—Kirkus Reviews

Charming illustrations are the perfect accompaniment to ‘Billy & Rose: Just the Way They Are’ — a delightful story of friendship and how differences are not a barrier to getting along with one another.
—The Reading Eagle

Author

Amy Hest is a three-time winner of the Christopher Medal and winner of the BOSTON GLOBE-HORN BOOK Award. She lives in New York City. View titles by Amy Hest
Kady MacDonald Denton View titles by Kady MacDonald Denton