Just the Way They Are (Billy and Rose)

by Amy Hest (Author) Kady MacDonald Denton (Illustrator)

Just the Way They Are (Billy and Rose)
Reading Level: 2nd − 3rd Grade
Series: Billy and Rose

Billy and Rose are back--and prone to serious discussion--in four charming stories about the ups and downs of negotiating friendship.

The diligent sheep and the mellow pig who debuted in Billy and Rose: Forever Friends are back--and they have strong opinions! Even best friends can disagree, whether the topic is books (tall blue books versus fat red ones), rain (will it or won't it?), the perils of a bad hair day (should Rose concur that Billy is having one?), or the incendiary question of which flavor of cupcake is best. Sharing--books and a purple umbrella, compliments and cupcakes (two flavors)--is the very antidote to seriousness in this second set of four witty stories to feature the endearing pair.

Kady MacDonald Denton's warm and spirited illustrations complement Amy Hest's gentle study of friends as they debate the important issues of the day--and reap the rewards of compromise.

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Paperback
$5.99

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ALA/Booklist

A beguiling choice for beginning readers.

Review quotes

Beginning readers who enjoyed Billy and Rose: Forever Friends (2022) will welcome this equally charming sequel. Written with the simplicity of empathy, it makes the point that friends may not agree on everything, as long as they care about each other. Denton's gentle ink-and-watercolor illustrations portray Billy and Rose with soft, spring colors and the graceful, expressive positions and movements of dancers. A beguiling choice for beginning readers.
—Booklist

Gentle words and fluid watercolor-and-ink illustrations remind readers how special friendship is. . . . Patterns within the stories will help early readers break into reading. . . but what stands out is how Billy and Rose clearly and calmly verbalize their opinions and model sharing, compromise, acceptance, and respecting individual differences. . . . A treasure trove of social-emotional skills.
—Kirkus Reviews

Charming illustrations are the perfect accompaniment to 'Billy & Rose: Just the Way They Are' — a delightful story of friendship and how differences are not a barrier to getting along with one another.
—The Reading Eagle
Amy Hest
Amy Hest's many acclaimed children's books include the BUNNY SHOULD BE SLEEPING, New York Times bestseller KISS GOOD NIGHT, and SOMETIMES IT'S NICE TO BE ALONE. A three-time winner of the prestigious Christopher Award, she lives in New York City.

Erin Stead is the illustrator of many picture books, including the Caldecott Medal-winning A Sick Day for Amos McGee, If You Want to See a Whale, The Uncorker of Ocean Bottles, and The Sun is Late and So is the Farmer. She lives in northern Michigan with her husband, author/illustrator Philip Stead.
Classification
-
ISBN-13
9781536235173
Lexile Measure
-
Guided Reading Level
-
Publisher
Candlewick Press (MA)
Publication date
April 30, 2024
Series
Billy and Rose
BISAC categories
JUV039060 - Juvenile Fiction | Social Themes | Friendship
JUV019000 - Juvenile Fiction | Humorous Stories
JUV002090 - Juvenile Fiction | Animals | Farm Animals
Library of Congress categories
Friendship
Picture books
Sharing

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