by Dolly Parton (Author) MacKenzie Haley (Illustrator)
From the legendary Dolly Parton comes a story about her god-dog and Instagram personality, Billy the Kid, who is hoping to make it big as a country music star in Nashville, Tennessee.
French bulldog Billy the Kid was born with an ear for music. And not just any music. He loves barking to the beat of country music! So Billy sets out to Nashville to sing his heart out. But when he meets some big bullies at the Battle of the Bow-wows, Billy worries he's barking up the wrong tree. He'll need his favorite songs ("Jowlene" and "I Will Pawlways Love You," of course), a group of scrappy new friends, and his favorite country music star to regain self-confidence and be the star he always knew he could be.
Written by Dolly Parton with Erica S. Perl and illustrated by MacKenzie Haley, this is a delightful picture book about standing up to people (and dogs) who put you down and finding the drive to achieve your dreams.
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With Perl, Parton expands her song "Makin' Fun Ain't Funny" into a bighearted anti-bullying fable starring a French bulldog with big dreams. "Born with an ear for music," hound Billy the Kid heads to Nashville to pursue dreams of joining a country music band. Despite months "wishing, hoping, and practicing," an encounter with dog musician Big Earl soon leaves Billy discouraged ("It had been a ruff day"). But Billy finally makes it to the Battle of the Bow-Wows after joining a band of small dogs, and when Big Earl starts picking on someone else, the puptagonist hatches a plan to defend his friends so they can give a "totally pawsome" performance. Warm pastel-hued rainbows carry musical notes throughout Haley's images of cartoon pooches in a message-driven story that includes plenty of Easter eggs for Dolly fans. Lyrics to "Makin' Fun Ain't Funny" conclude. Ages 4-7. (Apr.)
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