Billy's Booger
on Goodreads (777)
What’s inside...
A young lad who prefers drawing over traditional school subjects finds an ideal outlet for his endless imagination through a book-making contest, encouraged by his librarian. Billy creates a book about the world's smartest booger, which he believes is a winning story. The narrative is filled with nostalgic references and is loosely based on children’s book legend William Joyce’s third grade year, complete with a sewn-in mini-book of the tale.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
4-8
Length
40 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
How did Billy feel when he was being creative, and have you ever felt the same?
What are some ways Billy used his imagination in the story?
Why do you think Billy's classmates reacted the way they did to his homemade book?
How did the story change your thoughts about making mistakes or trying new things?
What would you create if you were in Billy's shoes?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to discuss their own experiences related to creativity and imagination while relating to Billy's journey.
Ask your child to think of a time when they tried something new and how it made them feel, linking it to Billy's experiences.
Highlight the importance of perseverance and resilience shown by Billy, discussing similar situations in your child's life.
Use the story to instill a positive attitude towards creativity and self-expression, reinforcing that it's okay to be different.
Encourage your child to draw or write their own short story, inspired by Billy’s creative efforts in the book.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Creativity and Self-expression
Explanation: The protagonist, Billy, channels his imagination into creating his own comic book, demonstrating the joy and personal satisfaction derived from creative expression.
Real-World Application: Children can be encouraged to engage in creative activities like drawing, storytelling, or any form of art to express themselves and boost their self-esteem.
Example Lesson: Perseverance
Explanation: Despite initial setbacks and not winning the school contest, Billy continues to embrace his passion for comics, illustrating the importance of resilience and persistence.
Real-World Application: This can teach children to keep trying in the face of challenges, whether it's a difficult homework assignment or learning a new skill.
Example Lesson: Individuality and Acceptance
Explanation: Billy creates a comic book that is unique and true to his interests, which eventually leads to peer recognition and appreciation, highlighting the value of being oneself.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to appreciate their own uniqueness and that of others, fostering a more inclusive environment at school or in social settings.
Example Lesson: Humor as a form of Expression
Explanation: Billy uses humor in his comic book to engage his readers, showing that humor can be an effective and positive way to communicate ideas.
Real-World Application: Children can use humor to deal with stress, make new friends, and enhance their communication skills.