Review by Booklist Review
The creators of No More Pacifier for Piggy! (2008) offer another gently instructive look at a common preschool problem. Newcomer Billy Goat wants to join the nursery ball game, but Bunny doesn't hear his whispered request, so Billy nips his tail. Lambkin misunderstands him as well, so Billy bites her arm. Helpful Ducky then explains proper playground etiquette: You have to say, in a nice strong voice, 'Please can I play with you?' Once in the game, Billy has trouble sharing with Piggy, resulting in a painful chomp to Piggy's ear. Finally Ducky clarifies the game rules, and Billy agrees to use his teeth for biting food rather than friends. Williams' watercolor and charcoal illustrations feature lots of white space, allowing young listeners to focus on these appealing animal characters and their emotions. Preschool teachers will appreciate the inclusion of Billy's motivations he is not evil, just frustrated and find this useful for teachable moments. Pair with Margie Palatini's No Biting, Louise (2007) or perennial favorite Else Holmelund Minarik's No Fighting, No Biting! (1958).--Weisman, Kay Copyright 2010 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by School Library Journal Review
PreS-This gentle picture book takes on a common problem for preschoolers in an entertaining and instructive way. New nursery school student Billy Goat doesn't know how to join the ball game with the other animals. Although Ducky tries to give him advice, he's too shy to follow it effectively. He whispers to Bunny that he wants to play, but Bunny can't hear him. Frustrated, Billy Goat bites Bunny's tail. The same thing occurs with Lambkin, with the bite being much harder. Ducky intervenes and tells him not to bite and to speak up, which works until Billy Goat hogs the ball and bites Piggy. With everyone in tears, including Billy, Ducky teaches him to use his teeth "to bite his apple, not his friends." The sweet watercolor and charcoal illustrations are effective and the characters show real hurt and confusion. Billy Goat is clearly confused and frustrated and needs Ducky's gentle guidance. The positive approach to teaching appropriate behavior will be appreciated by adults. Pair this title with Else Holmelund Minarik's No Fighting, No Biting (HarperCollins, 1958).-B. Allison Gray, Goleta Public Library, CA (c) Copyright 2013. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
A bad habit nipped, so to speak, in the bud. Afflicted with a bad case of shyness on his first day of school, little Billy Goatprompted by helpful classmate Duckytries to join Bunny, Piggy and Lambkin in play. When his whispered requests don't get their attention, he resorts to sharper measuresand then again when Piggy objects to his pushy behavior. Once everybody's crying, Ducky rushes over to demonstrate a more sharing way to play, finally getting all to agree that "Teeth are for biting food, not for biting friends." Williams suspends stubby-limbed nestlings, depicted with broad crayon and brushstrokes, in white space, and though Billy and Bunny sport similarly rabbitlike ears, the playmates are easy enough to tell apart. Along with Ford's explanations of what's going down ("Billy was getting frustrated. So he bit Lambkin on her chubby little arm, really hard"), the range of postures and expressions provide clear cues to the incident's emotional highs and lows. The morsels of behavioral insight, along with Ducky's peacemaking, give this as much instructional value for adults as it does for little diaper-wearing beasties. (Picture book. 3-5)]] Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
