Customer Reviews

Bill in a China Shop

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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!

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

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

You know how kids want you to read the same book over and over and over again? Well, with this one, you'll actually enjoy it!

Tim Raglin illustrates this story of Bill, a huge bull who is no good around fragile things - but who loves his collection of china cups. He needs one more perfect cup to complete his collection - but most china shop doors want bulls to stay out. When he does gain entry, tragedy strikes in this fun whimsical story - Raglin's illustrations are perfect accompaniments.

Based on an idiom and written in verse, this story is an unusual picture book - a hidden treasure - that could get lost among the pirates, dinosaurs and other more common characters found in the children's book section.

Bill is an endearing character of contrasts: with top hat and cane, he strikes an elegant figure despite his large figure. And yet, you know, there's trouble ahead when Bill enters the china shop.

The real treat here is Tim Raglin's pictures. The cover illustration is representative of the beautiful work contained within. Sometimes, children's picture books try too hard, slipping beyond "colorful" and falling down to a "garish" description instead. Raglin's illustrations bring Bill to life, so much so that on repeated readings my sons were able to cover up the verse and tell the story themselves.

Our sons love picture books at bedtime but it isn't easy to find one that appeals to both a 6-year old and a 4-year old. We published an Amazon list titled "Young boys' bedtime books" to share our best discoveries with other parents.

In summary, this story makes a nice addition to your children's picture book collection. The rhyming verse is easy to read and follow, however it is Raglin's depiction of Bill that makes this book memorable.

Bill in a China Shop is a wonderful take on the phrase: bull in a china shop. For, of course, Bill is a bull. A gentlemanly bull who just wants a nice cuppa, beautifully portrayed by the illustrator in natty attire. The rhymes are fresh and catchy. Perfect for families who take tea together, or for reading at a tea party for children. Just delightful.

This book is such a wonderful delight. I've read this book to my daughter countless times and it still affords me a chuckle every time I read it. It's a sweet story and the text is clever. What a darling book!!

This is a great book. Very witty and the pictures are fab. My 18 mo old daughter and I love to read it together, we never tire of it!!

I can't recommend this book enough. It is, without a doubt one of the best books for children that I've ever come across. My kids love it, and so do I. The story is cute, the artwork is great and the verse is written in rhyme. Rhyming books can be difficult to write. The words have to be appropriate and make sense without bogging down the plot and characters. This book is almost genius.