Bill the bull, who loves to collect china, finally finds a china shop without a "keep out" sign directed at himself. But he soon finds out that he is not quite as welcome as he had hoped, and in his worry, he breaks nearly everything in the store, much to the slimy shopkeeper's chagrin. But three gray-haired ladies totter in and save the day by paying for the damage and the little cup that Bill so desperately wanted and they all become fast friends. A delightful rhyming picture book illustrated with intricate detail and Victorian charm that celebrates a triumph over prejudice.
Book Description
Editorial Reviews
From School Library Journal
PreSchool-Grade 3-An elegantly dressed bull carefully enters a china shop and shows why the phrase upon which the title plays is so apt. "Frightened by the jarring sound/of china crashing to the ground,/he stumbled toward some figurines/and smashed them into smithereens." A sneering clerk cannot get Bill out fast enough, but when three ladies enter the store, they take pity on the animal and scold the man. They feel sorry for Bill, who is obviously upset, but it's not totally convincing that they would side with him after all of the destruction he has caused. Still, this twist makes for a pleasing ending as the bull gets to host his own tea party, with the women as his guests. The story is slight, though the rhymed text flows smoothly. It's the pen-and-ink watercolors that inject strong doses of humor. Bill's bulging body contrasts with his delicately small hooves, and his tan-and-white head stands out against the grays and blacks of his fine clothing. The bovine's facial expressions perfectly capture his carefulness, his fear as he tries to avoid disaster, and his dismay when things fall apart around him. The humans are enjoyable caricatures, but Bill is the star of the show, and even kids not familiar with the clich‚ will grin at this bull who wants to be dainty.
Steven Engelfried, Beaverton City Library, OR
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Steven Engelfried, Beaverton City Library, OR
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
From Booklist
PreS-Gr. 2. First-time author Weaver has written an ode to a bulky bull possessing the soul of a Renaissance poet. When first encountered, Bill is looking for a very delicate china cup to complete his collection. Alas, he's forbidden to enter one china shop after another. Finally, he finds one with no restrictions, and his excitement at actually being allowed in causes a chain of disastrous events that leaves the shop in a shambles. Written in verse, the story explores how assumptions can become self-fulfilling prophecy and ultimately trigger calamitous consequences. In the end, it is the kindness of strangers that rescues the mortified bovine, and, being the gracious host that he is, Bill invites his new lady friends for tea, served, of course, in china cups. Though Weaver's tale is charming enough, it's Raglin's Victorian-style pictures (especially of dapper Bill with his top hat and walking stick) that bring this book to life. Terry Glover
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Book for the whole family to enjoy,
By
This review is from: Bill in a China Shop (Hardcover)
This book is one for everyone in the family to enjoy. When your child asks you to read it again and again, you will enjoy doing it. The rhythm and rhyme give this book a fun pace and it rolls off the toungue. There is humor and tenderness wrapped through the story. It would make a great teaching tool in school as well - teaching about differences and acceptance. I highly recommend this book!
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Adorable New Children's Book That the Whole Family Will Love,
By
This review is from: Bill in a China Shop (Hardcover)
Bill is not your average bull, for instead of being rough and tumble, Bill is a sensitive soul who has a marvelous collection of china cups. However, Bill doesn't do well when he's around fragile items, so when he begins browsing antique and china shops, searching for one more perfect cup, he is plagued by one very big problem: getting in the front door. For most china shops don't allow bulls entry. But then Bill comes across a china shop that permits entry to bulls, and suddenly all bets are off.
BILL IN A CHINA SHOP is an adorable new children's book that will be loved by the whole family. Bill is a cute character, who is plagued by prejudice just because of his size. However, his wonderful outlook on life, and the people and things surrounding him is admirable, and will teach children that they should be happy in their own skin, whether big or small, black or white. A wonderful addition to the children's picture book genre! Erika Sorocco Book Review Columnist for The Community Bugle Newspaper
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
bill in a china shop,
This review is from: Bill in a China Shop (Hardcover)
This book is so cute ! I am a librarian and use it as a read aloud at our tea party every year! I just love it
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Inside This Book
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First Sentence:
Once there was a bull named Bill who felt a certain thrilling chill each time he saw a china shop-the teacups made his heart flip-flop. Read the first page New!
Concordance | Text Stats Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Front Flap | First Pages | Back Flap | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
Once there was a bull named Bill who felt a certain thrilling chill each time he saw a china shop-the teacups made his heart flip-flop. Read the first page New!
Concordance | Text Stats Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Front Flap | First Pages | Back Flap | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
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