Reviews (4)

We love Bill Peet!
This story was fantastic, just like all the others by Bill Peet that we have read so far!My 2 girls and 2 boys have very different tastes in books, but Bill Peet tales never fail to delight all of them.He is one of our "safe" choices - the author we reach for at night, and one of the shelves we always visit at the library!Other Bill Peet titles we'd recommend are Cyrus the Unsinkable Sea Serpent, Encore for Eleanor, and Kermit the Hermit.These are great stories, more involved and interesting than most, with surprising twists and turns.They have a lesson to impart without being preachy, and the characters are fantastic!

It Struck a Chord With An Adopted Child
Bill Peet's THE WHINGDINGDILLY was our very "unbookish" oldest son's favorite book as a child.At age four he wanted my wife or me to read it to him over and over again. (And he enjoyed pronouncing the title of the book when he asked.) By age six or seven he was reading it to himself and his younger brother. To him there was something absolutely captivating about it.My theory is that, because our oldest son was adopted, from an early age he had unverbalized concerns about his identity. And THE WHINGDINGDILLY is about identity, and being happy with who you are.This child is now 31 and recently had the pleasure of introducing his older daughter to this great book (a present from her grandparents!).

Lovely and enchanting book
Created by classic former Disney artist Bill Peet, Whingdingdilly is a fun and beautiful book featuring an endearing hero, Scamp the dog.Scamp, unhappy with being a "plain" dog, wishes to be more interesting in order to attract attention and be more popular.A disastrous encounter with a witch turns Scamp into a fantastic creature known as a whingdingdilly, which has to be seen to be believed.During the course of his adventures, Scamp learns that popularity isn't all it's cracked up to be and that he is loved for just being himself. Filled with Bill Peet's wonderful artwork, this is an absolutely charming book that belongs in everyone's collection of books for young readers. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's 4-8 - Fiction - General    2. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    3. Children: Grades 2-3    4. Dogs    5. Fantasy    6. Fiction    7. General    8. Juvenile Fiction / Humorous Stories   

Reviews (24)

ten stars
this book is great, it is easy to read and teaches a great lesson in environmental consciousness!!!!

A must -read for all !
This was a favorite of mine as a child and I was so glad to find it again. A must-read for all ages. Very insightful when written in 1970 and very true for today in teaching the lessons of pollution and the environment and how we must respect and save nature. Wonderful!

I Love the Wumps
I loved this book when I was a little girl - introduced to it in first grade - and I love it as an adult. It made me teary then, and it makes me teary now. But hope is the central theme - the wumps, in the end, survive, return to the surface, and take up their lives, repairing the damage done by the invaders.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    2. Children: Grades 1-2    3. Fiction    4. Humorous Stories    5. Pollution    6. Science fiction    7. Juvenile Fiction / Humorous Stories   

Reviews (5)

A lesson about change
This is a gentle tale about a woodland community who must find a new home because of encroaching urban development upon their land.It is a story about small creatures who must be brave and seek out a new safe place for themselves, despite the unknowns ahead. Cute
A cute little story with an underlying environmental message. My 4 year old daughter likes this one a lot.

forgotten disney artist
Bill Peet worked for Disney animating such classics as 101 Dalmations.His "solo" work, however, eclipses his contributions to Disney's films.Read more

Subjects:  1. Animals    2. Children's 4-8 - Environmental Studies    3. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    4. Children: Babies & Toddlers    5. Fiction    6. Humorous Stories    7. Baby books    8. Juvenile Fiction / Humorous Stories   

Reviews (4)

Bill Peet is great!
My son was introduced to Bill Peet in another book "Kermit the Hermit" and we really enjoy reading his stories.Our house is now going through a dragon phase and Bill Peet is coming through again.The grass eating dragon with a price on his head is a charming story and my son loves it.It's also a fun book for Mommy to read.

A wonderful imaginative tale
I just picked up this book secondhand and it is my first introduction to Bill Peet and I am sure to get more of his books! It reminds me of an old fashioned fairy tale with kings, dragons and knights and is a fun way to introduce my 3 year old to these "magic" concepts. It is a nice story with charming pictures - Droofus gets separated from the other dragons and becomes a kind, grass eating dragon. The king wants his head as a trophy and puts out a big reward. Droofus gets discovered by a young boy who decides Droofus must be a good dragon since he did not hurt thelamb and so the boy does not betray Droofus. Later Droofus gets a chance to repay the boy by helping on the farm. Eventually he does get discovered by the king and the knights, but the boy comes up with a way for the king to have Droofus's head without chopping it off! A sweet tale with lots of little lessons about kindness tucked in.

My favorite from childhood
I read this when I was just a kid (maybe 1st or 2nd grade), but it was one of a handful of stories I never forgot -- except for the title. When I finally had kids, I began looking for it and luckily came across it searching book-by-book at a store. It's better than I remember -- both thewriting and the illustrations. It's highly recommended, and not just by me,but my 3 year old! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    2. Children: Babies & Toddlers    3. Children: Grades 2-3    4. Dragons    5. Fiction    6. Humorous Stories    7. Juvenile Fiction    8. Baby books    9. Juvenile Fiction / Humorous Stories   

Reviews (2)

The Kweeks of Kookatumdee
It was totally cool!It was funny too!I'm so glad Quentin escaped Jed's nasty peck!Jed was so fat and mean, I think its so amazing that bill peet used so much rhyming!

A Wonderful Story With A Good Message
Quentin, a little kweek, takes a stand against big queek Jed, whose been greedily, hogging the delictable ploppolops fruit on the jungle island of Kookatumdee. Quentin rallies his little fellow kweeks for support, butfaces his adversary alone, and saves the day for his friends. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    2. Children: Grades 2-3    3. Fiction    4. Humorous Stories    5. Islands    6. Stories in rhyme    7. Juvenile Fiction / Humorous Stories   

Reviews (5)

Giggles for you kiddo
My 6 1/2 year old daughter loves this book. It's quickly become her favorite, and we read it multiple times at bedtime every night. I find his writing and illustrations to be very imaginative, creative and clever. A fun book.
Every child should read this
I can only name a few of the many, many books I read as a child, and this is one of them. This is an absolutley marvelous book that every child should be able to read. The illustrations in it are great and each animal will make a kid giggle with delight. Oozing with imagination this a book anyone can enjoy, and it really turned me on to reading as a child. Please get this for your kid.

Wonderful Multi-Generational Book
I used to check out this book when I was child.My friends and I used to race to the P section of the school library to check out all of Bill Peet's books.His stories are so fun and imaginative.The illustrations pop off the pages and are completely captivationg.I can't wait to read this story to my little boy.I know he will love it as much as I still do! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Animals,Mythical    2. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    3. Children: Grades 2-3    4. Fiction    5. Humorous Stories    6. Imaginary creatures    7. Stories in rhyme    8. Juvenile Fiction / Humorous Stories    9. Picture books   

Reviews (7)

The Caboose Who Got Loose
This story is about Kate the Caboose.She is in the back of a long freight train, and she hates it.She hates the smoke, the bumps, the noise, and the ride.One day, she pulls into the station.While waiting for the engine to be refitted, a lonely signal tower tells Kate how it longs to be a caboose, so it can see the world.Kate leaves the station with a new attitude about her life.When the train hits a bump, Kate's coupling breaks.Find out what happens to her in this exciting book by Bill Peet.

Childhood Memories
This is a book that is very close to my heart. As a child, I would always pick this book for my mother to read to me. I still have the book and have since introduced it to my nieces. The artwork is beautiful and the story is timeless. I highly recommend this book to anyone with children. I'll always remember the last line, "Yes indeed, oh indeed, oh indeed, Katie did".

favorite book for huge train fan
My son (four) brings me this book almost every night.Fantastic pictures and a great rhyming story with fabulous descriptions.This is the best train book we've found so far and are going to try other books by same author. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    2. Children: Kindergarten    3. Fiction    4. Railroads    5. Stories in rhyme    6. Transportation - General    7. Juvenile Fiction / Transportation   

Reviews (3)

A Family Classic
This book was my husband's favorite book in the 60s when he was in elementary school.Now we read it to our children, along with many other Bill Peet books.We love the illustrations, plots and rhymes in Bill Peet's books.Buford is a sweet and innocent mountain goat dealing with a handicapping condition (oversized curling horns) that threatens his safety. Then when he's cornered he discovers a way to use his horns not only to escape the hunters, but to ski.And everyone at the ski resort loves him and makes him welcome.If you like this one, try Eli, Cowardly Clyde, and The Wump World.

Buford is my FAVORITE Bighorn
These are my absolute favorite pictures from Bill Peet.Buford has trouble with his tribe due to being smaller than the other bighorns, but manages to find a way to be proud in spite of the opinions of others.

Bill Peet Books are the Best!
I remeber my dad reading these stories to me.They are all great!i recommend them for your kids.I enjoy them so much I ma buying them for myself, grown ups like them too!Sweet entertaining stories, greatwriting, great pictures.an A+ ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Animals - General    2. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    3. Children: Grades 2-3    4. Fiction    5. Picture books    6. Sheep    7. Skis and skiing    8. Stories    9. Juvenile Fiction / Animals / General   

Reviews (8)

Bill Peet is one of my kids' favorite authors
My 4 kids all LOVE Bill Peet books.They enjoyed this one very much.Although this story does not rhyme like many of his others, we all recommend it.

Cowardly Clyde is a Hit!
Cowardly Clyde is a wonderful story about courage and the illustrations are great. I checked this book out of the library to read to my 4-year-old and he loves it so much I had to buy it for him. Now my 3-month-old is enjoying listening to me read this story to his older brother and seems to love the story too. This was my first Bill Peet story but, now that I've read many of them, I've discovered he's one of the best children's authors ever!

Sure to spark the imagination
Author of THE REBEL'S PLEDGE and soon to be published THORNS IN EDEN.Read more

Subjects:  1. Animals - Horses    2. Children's 4-8 - Picturebooks    3. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    4. Children: Kindergarten    5. Courage    6. Fiction    7. Horses    8. Social Issues - Values    9. Social Situations - Values    10. Early learning / early learning concepts    11. Juvenile Fiction / Animals / Horses   

Reviews (7)

Bill Peet is a Winner
In addition to his marvelous children's stories, Bill Peet wrote an awesome autobiography--ideal for 8-12 year olds.I cannot imagine a young boy not being drawn into his story.

Fun, cute, and with a good message
I found this book remaindered, and picked it up just because it was set in Monterey Bay.I was delighted to find that it was a terrific story, and that my daughter (age 2-1/2) loved it. Selfish shellfish finds satisfaction in doing for others
Bill Peet is a wonderful children's book author and Kermit The Hermit is a great example of his work. It is a 1965 story about a Hermit Crab who starts out the story as a selfish shellfish. Through an act of human kindness, he learns the emptiness of a self-centered life. Kermit devotes himself to repaying the favor and finds satisfaction in doing for others.Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    2. Children: Babies & Toddlers    3. Crabs    4. Fiction    5. Humorous Stories    6. Stories    7. Stories in rhyme    8. Baby books    9. Juvenile Fiction / Humorous Stories   

Reviews (4)

One of Bill Peet's Best

Another Great Bill Peet tale
This charming tale of a little Griffin named Zeke is yet another example of Bill Peet's wonderful storytelling abilities.Peet's simple yet clear illustrations are appealing to young and old alike, and his whimsical sense of story that was honed by many years at the Disney Animation studios is on full display here.Not one of his most recognizable titles, but well worth reading.

Fantastic, as usual!
Bill Peet is one of our family's favorite childrens' authors, and this is one of his best books.It has a flowing, rythmic rhyme and a positive message typical of his stories. In this case, the theme is about solving problems without violence, featuring a dove and her adopted son, a griffin.The illustrations are great.Read more

Subjects:  1. Birds    2. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    3. Children: Babies & Toddlers    4. Fiction    5. Griffins    6. Humorous Stories    7. Poetry    8. Juvenile Fiction / Humorous Stories   

Reviews (10)

You don't see kids' boks like this too often.
I've read elsewhere that this book is about resisting peer pressure. That sub-story is over in the first few pages and really does little but set the scene. What this story is really about is courage, self-sacrifice, and the protection of innocent life against a world that often is far too dangerous. Many adults could benefit from giving this a read and taking it to heart, and yet it's not preachy or over the heads of the children it is targetted towards. Add to this the absolutely gorgeous colored-pencil artwork (Bill Peet worked for Disney for a while; his character designs give the original 101 Dalmations and the Sword in the Stone much of their charm) and some truly memorable characters, and you have my favorite children's book, ever.

One of Bill Peet's best stories
This charming story is certain to bring a smile to your face.I love it even more than my son does.The drawings are delightfully done.Bill Peet is one of the very rare children's book authors who are able to produce both an excellent story and great pictures.All of his books are good, but some are better than others; Cyrus is one of his best.

The saving Sea Serpent
Title: Cyrus the Unsinkable Sea SerpentRead more

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    2. Children: Grades 3-4    3. Fiction    4. Humorous Stories    5. Monsters    6. Sea monsters    7. Juvenile Fiction / Humorous Stories   

Reviews (8)

By far one of my favorite kids books!
I won't rehash the stories below other than to say that all the
Nice attempt at a lesson, but too many "stupids" for my taste
This is the story of an elephant who travels the forest doing good deeds for the grumpiest, most ungrateful group of animals imagineable. Eventually the elephant needs help and it is the tiny ant (the only creature with integrity besides the elephant) and his ant friends who come to his aid.So the "little things and small creatures mean a lot" theme is nicely presented.Possibly the point of the other arrogant animals is to show that the elephant helps out regardless of the thanklessness of the jobs and maintains his own good attitude throughout (a very evolved elephant).
great
this was an amazing story my children both love and it has become our favourite bedtime story... ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Animals    2. Animals - General    3. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    4. Children: Babies & Toddlers    5. Fiction    6. Juvenile Fiction / Animals / General   

Reviews (3)

Bill Peet is fantastic!
I grew up on Bill Peet books and I am surprised that I don't hear much about them anymore. I think they are all wonderful. My favorites are: Ella, Buford the Little Bighorn, and The Wump World. They are entertaining stories with wonderful underlying lessons!!
Superior
The best lesson in humility a child (or adult) can have. The rhyming text makes the reading fun. This is my favorite of all the Bill Peet books.

Excellent!
I can't believe no one has reviewed this book yet. I was flipping through the Bill Peat collection just because Christmas is drawing near and these books made such a huge impact on my childhood I wanted to now share themwith my son.Ella is the classic tale of the underdog making good in theend and I would HIGHLY recommend it (or ANY Bill Peat book) for anyone whoenjoys sharing stories of substance with their children. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    2. Children: Babies & Toddlers    3. Humorous Stories    4. Baby books    5. Juvenile Fiction / Humorous Stories   

Reviews (5)

brings back fond memories
i remember when i was really little, my dad reading me this book. it was even better since his name is bruce too! we have a fair pile of bills books here, but big bad bruce will always be the one i love the most. i drew the picture from the front cover onto a birthday card for dad...he was delighted. definatly an awesome book...wish our authors for children these days were as talented!

A fun book to read out loud!
Our library rates this as a 4th grade reading level. It does have several words that are not part of my everyday conversation (eg raucous, lummox), but they are what make the book ideal for this age group to read and learn words in their context. This would also be a perfect book to read aloud and then discuss in the classroom or at home. The topic of bullying is always timely among the 7 to 10 yr old crowd. Great art and prose
We read this book a long time ago, but the rhythm of the wording and the beautiful art (with crayon coloring) is great for kids.There's always amoral with Bill Peet and kids and grownups need to be reminded of thesetimeless truths - braggy people lose, humble people win.All this for only$7 or $8 - we'll probably get all the Peet classics. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Bears    2. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    3. Fiction    4. Humorous Stories    5. Witches    6. Juvenile Fiction / Humorous Stories   

Reviews (5)

Wonderful verse, but politically incorrect
This is a fun read - I enjoy reading verse, and this flows nicely and doesn't feel forced. But there are sections that would now be considered politically incorrect.Combine it with "The Caboose is Loose" for a young train lover.

Mom's Favorite
I never grew tired of reading this book to my children. Am sending copies to my nephews but I can't part with the original because it is my favorite.

A "Must-Have" for Children
Smokey is one of my two all-time favorite books from childhood (the other is Dr. Seuss' now hard-to-find "The King Who Wore Stilts"). My son loves it, too.Bill Peet's adoration of trains is certainly evident in this loving tale about a little switching engine who changes tracks in life.Its a great tale for adults, too.Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    2. Children: Babies & Toddlers    3. Fiction    4. Locomotives    5. Stories in rhyme    6. Transportation - Trains    7. Juvenile Fiction / Transportation    8. Picture books   

Reviews (6)

Bill Peet's sweet illustrations shine, as always, throughout this book
I own the entire Bill Peet collection of children's book that he has written/illustrated. I started reading them to my son when he was 3 years old, and am thrilled to report that he loves them as much asI do. Capyboppy is based on Bill Peet's true life experience with this lovable rodent, and while his illustrations and storyline are wonderful, this is my least favorite book in the collection. It is a little heartbreaking at the end and I came away feeling quite sad. There are many funny antics and true compassion throughout the story, and it's is a natural progression of nature that's shown, so if you are able to handle a little "sadness", you will love this book. And if anything, the pictures are wonderful to look at.

The real thing!
I have been working professionally on capybaras since 1981 and this book is a beautiful portrait of what a capybara is like. The drawings, the details of the capybara's behavior are exactly what I would have expected a capybara would be as a pet. The story is also very nice, very well written and fun. Excellent book.

CHILDHOOD FAVORITE
This book was my favorite as a child.Capyboppy is so cute and loveable what child wouldn't like him?Every time we went to the library, I'd beg my dad to check it out and read it to me.Even as an adult in my twenties, this book is just as entertaining as ever and I still think of myself as my dad's little capybarra.I'm so glad copies of it are still avaliable so I will finally be able to have my own copy and one day read it to my children. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Animals - Pets    2. Biography    3. Capybaras    4. Capybaras as pets    5. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Nonfiction    6. Children: Babies & Toddlers    7. Juvenile literature    8. Peet, Bill    9. Juvenile Nonfiction / Animals / Mice, Hamsters, Guinea Pigs, Squirrels, etc.   

Reviews (9)

I adore this book
I read this all the time when I was younger. I memorized it. This was seriously the best book ever along with Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs. Who doesn't look Chester?? Hell yeahz. I named the pig I dissected in Biology after him haha. But seriously, good book for any kid.

Not One of Bill Peet's Best

Dangerous escape by the pig.
Chester escapes from the bad guys by running in front of a train.That's a bad thing to show kids who might think they can do the same. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Animals - Pigs    2. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    3. Children: Grades 3-4    4. Juvenile Fiction    5. Animal stories    6. Farm & working animals    7. Juvenile Fiction / Animals / Pigs   

Reviews (3)

Great for Teaching Gratitude
This is a wonderful book to give to young boys.My sons and nephews enjoy the message(s) of being happy with who you are, looking on the bright side of things, and being grateful for what you've been given.I love Bill Peet!If you're looking for other titles of his worth purchasing, I recommend --- (1) The Wump World, (2) Farewell to Shady Glade, (3) The Caboose Who Got Loose, and (4) The Whingdingdilly.Enjoy!

The Grass Is Always Greener, But Is It?
My kids, 5 and 7, enjoy this book, we've read it many times.Bill Peet books are favorites in our home.Of course it is OK to think about what it is like to be someone else, everyone does that sometimes.The great lesson is to realize that everyone has a journey that is filled with trials and triumphs.No matter who we are there are things to be grateful for and challenges that make us who we are...unique and wonderful. Great book!

Life is so. You've got to accept it as it is.
To be an adult at my thirties, the book is not only fun, but kind of sad (because of being too true ) for me. Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    2. Children: Grades 2-3    3. Children: Kindergarten    4. Fiction    5. Humorous Stories    6. Juvenile Fiction    7. Self    8. Self-acceptance    9. Stories in rhyme    10. Juvenile Fiction / Humorous Stories   

Reviews (2)

Behind the scenes
Excellent book for children of all ages.From the time he was a child, circuses fascinated Bill Peet.He became more interested in the behind the scenes views of the circus, and this is evident in his illustrations.Bill eventually gave up the rhyming scheme, which helped him focus more on stories with morals.Pamela Camel has some of Bill's best circus illustrations, and I highly recommend reading both Pamela Camel and Encore for Eleanor for more of his best written and illustrated work.

Pamela Camel
Pamela is a performing circus camel.But as a circus performershe was a flop, and everyone let her know it.Disappointed with thecircus, Pamela decides to run away.While she is wandering, she notices a break in the train track that is sure to cause an accident. Will Pamela be able to warn the next train in time?Read this delightful story to find out the ending. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Animals - General    2. Camels    3. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    4. Children's stories, American    5. Children: Grades 2-3    6. Circus    7. Fiction    8. Humorous Stories    9. Juvenile Fiction    10. Railroads    11. Animal stories    12. Animals    13. Juvenile Fiction / Humorous Stories