Book Description

Chester longs to be a performer in the circus, but the road to stardom is rocky until someone discovers Chester's true "worldliness." ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Peets favorite
According to Bill Peets autobiography, this book was his favorite. He said that it reflected his own past, and he put a lot of his own personal memories in the book. The story of Chesters journey paralleles Peets journey to work for Disney studios as an animator in his younger days. Roscoe the clown as the master showman in the story, is in reality Bill's old boss Walt Disney. Walt was respected by Peet, even if they had their differences. If you like Bill Peets books, be sure to read his autobiography, and this book.

Childhood Classic
Quite simply, this is a must for both kids and adults. It is a wonderful story that teaches the importance of "just being you". After loving this book as a child, I bought a copy to read to my children some day. More parents should take another look at Bill Peet books.

A great selection for home or classroom!
I love Chester! I use this book to introduce a thematic unit in my classroom. Chester is a great character that the children identify with and they root for him throughout the book. When we discover exactly why Chester is the "worldly" pig, the students go crazy!! This story is an excellent springboard for geography and the seven continents!!

Surprise!
Chester is just another one of Bill Pete's wonderful classics with a great and uplifting ending that proves that everyone has something special about them that can be found with the help of the right person. ... Read more

Book Description

Katy Caboose is tired of being last, and one day a freak accident allows her to realize her dream of peace and solitude. ... Read more

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.

One of the best kids books I've found
My wife and toddler accidentally found this in the library (he's a choo-choo junkie...), and we all just love it. Highly Reccommended.

What a wonderful book....and what a wonderful author
We received this book as a birthday gift, and what a gift it has been! The prose is so melodic you can almost sing it as you read. You can use so much inflection which makes the story even more fun! We immediately bought Smokey by Bill Peet for our little train lover as well! Highly recommend these books for kids as well as the adults who read them! ... Read more

Book Description

Scamp learns to be content with his dog's life when Zildy the kooky witch turns him into a whing-dingdilly. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

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.

One of the best illustrated Children's book ever published
Bill Pete's Whingdingdilly has achieved the intellegint and odd writing of works by Dr. Seuss and combined them with the full and rich drawings of an accomplished artist. There is a warmness to this story in the friendship between an odd-looking beast and a curious boy that Dr. Seuss's work simply does not compare to. ... Read more

Book Description

A shark accuses Cyrus of cowardice because he won't sink any ships. The kindly sea serpent almost succumbs to peer pressure, but learns at last to be himself. ... Read more

Reviews (8)

The saving Sea Serpent
Title: Cyrus the Unsinkable Sea Serpent
Author: Bill Peet
Favorite Characters: Cyrus, Caption

Cyrus is board and wants to find something to do. A shark told him to go wreck a ship and when Cyrus follows a ship out to see, he ends up saving it! First, he blew the ship out of the doldrums. Than he kept it floating trough a storm and after that, he saved the ship from pirates!
Cyrus than noticed that the ships sails were torn off because of the pirates. The people would be stranded at sea for ever if he didn't do something. He was clever enough to figure out what to do. You should figure out what he did your self by reading this book.
...

The likable Sea serpent
Title: Cyrus the Unsinkable Sea Serpent
Author: Bill Peet
Favorite Characters: Cyrus, Caption

Cyrus is board and wants to find something to do. A shark told him to go wreck a ship and when Cyrus follows a ship out to see, he ends up saving it! First, he blew the ship out of the doldrums. Than he kept it floating trough a storm and after that, he saved the ship from pirates!
Cyrus than noticed that the ships sails were torn off because of the pirates. The people would be stranded at sea for ever if he didn't do something. He was clever enough to figure out what to do. You should figure out what he did your self by reading this book.

Endearing and unpredictable
Once again, Bill Peet has captivated his audience with yet another unique and imaginative tale! As with every one of his books, Cyrus the Sea Serpeant is a delight to read and presents a lesson in creature kindness, no matter what shape or size. Through adversity and prejudice, a determined Cyrus proves to be an unlikely hero. Certain to bring a smile to all faces and a pure joy to read!

Another winner
A charming story of selflessness told in a way that my 4 year understands the message.

Wonderful, Entertaining Tale of a Sea Serpent Who Does Good
My boys, 6 and 3, have heard this story a minimum of 50 times (gee, if you add up all the times they've heard all the Bill Peet books, the number gets kind of big). It has suspense, pathos, bravery, and the bad guys get it in the end with a big KERWHAM! We love it. Folkmanis, by the way, makes a fabulous sea serpent puppet that is almost a dead ringer for Cyrus; ours has become a permanent part of family life, thanks to this wonderful story. ... Read more

Book Description

The Pollutians invade the Wump World and turn the green meadows into a concrete jungle. ... Read more

Reviews (18)

I can't believe I found this!
As I have watched the world become paved over, I have been reminded of a book I loved as a child and the message it offered. It's been at least twenty years since I last saw this book, but I've never forgotten that message. I would like to thank amazon.com for allowing me to pass the message on. I'm going to buy five copies (for now) to give out at Christmas.

Journey to the Planet of the Wumps.....
This was always my favorite book when I was a small being and I read it now over a decade later and it's still spectacular. Bill Pete's books as far as I'm concerned are as creative as the renowned Dr. Seuss's and this is one of his best. Bill Pete's books are one of a few series of childrens literature that actually have integrity. This specific book happens to have an environmental message, as some very human beings, in temperance more than physical appearance, called the Pollutiants come and trash the Wump World.

Political Correctness run wild
If you want your child to be a radical, depressed enviro-wacko, this is the book for you. Start them early in believing the all man is bad and that development and capitalism is the evil of the world. The "pollutians" destroy the wump world. The symbolism and parrallelism to our earth is too obvious.

Keep this liberal trash away from your young children. Fortunately, most kids will be too young to understand the meaning behind this indoctrination.

Children and the Environment.
There are a ton of children's books written about taking care of the environment and quite frankly, most are dull and lipid, failing to capture the imagination of the reader and/or audience. THE WUMP WORLD is not such a book. Instead, it's one of the few pro-environment children's books that is actually enjoyable to read. The message the book teaches is more than just about pollution (even though the story's villians are called Pollutians) and has to do with loving nature, taking care of the precious planet we live, and the hope of good overcoming evil. The illustrations are amusing and capture both the mood of the story and the personalities of the creatures represented. For example, the Pollutians ships and machines look like real life contraptions, but with a monster-like appearance. The kids I used to teach in preschool loved this story and it was one I enjoyed reading, too.

A good book while teaching about pollution
I liked this book very much. It was quite educational. It teaches you what pollution can do to something. Pollution can ruin your habitat. It can also ruin your lifestyle. This book was a good book. Aside from teaching about pollution, it was also very interesting. I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a good book to read. Again, I thought it was a great book, and you may too. That is why you should read it! ... Read more

Book Description

Droofus the kindly dragon has a price on his head, but the small boy who befriends him refuses to sell him to the king. ... Read more

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 the lamb 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 the writing and the illustrations. It's highly recommended, and not just by me, but my 3 year old!

Droofus is one of Bill Peet's niftier animals
Droofus the not-so-bad dragon is generally at peace with the world, and is kind to smaller animals. As a nice guy, he's not interested in laying waste to the country-side, even though some people expect him to. As with all Peet's books, the faces on his animals are wonderfully expressive, yet still look like real animals (one of my favorite things about all of his books which I've read). ... Read more

Book Description

The birdlike kweeks are starving because their island does not have enough ploppolop fruit trees to feed them all, until Quentin makes an amazing discovery. ... Read more

Book Description

A little boy saves Kermit from disaster, and the once cranky crab works hard to repay him. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

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.

My only criticism is that some of the poetry is a bit strained, but it doesn't detract from the overall excellence. Great pictures, good characters, and a fine message.

And, by the way, the pictures very accurately portray Monterey Bay, both above and below the water.

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.

The book is a long rhyming poem with delightful color illustrations surrounding the text. This is a story that children and those who read to them are sure to enjoy.

Is Bill Peet Dr. Suess' Brother?
This book feels like it is written by Dr. Suess, with the same cadence in the rhymes. The language is a tad more sophisticated, but both my son and I love the book! It is so much fun to read, I don't know who enjoys it more.

Kermit the Hermit, a very entertaining story.
The Muppet Babies is a series of books which include characters with large imaginations that can go to imaginary places. Very entertaining for children.

Riveting; spectacularly written and illustrated
Bill Peet's way with words ranks right up there with Dr. Seuss. Many books written in rhyme do not necessarily convey a good story; Peet does a spectacular job of telling a touching story, with much depth, all in rhyme. It is one of my favorite childrens' books, because it keeps you "hooked," is entertaining, and relays an important message about how terrible greed can make us feel, and how much better it makes us feel to share with and help someone. You will enjoy reading this book over and over to your child(ren), and never tire of it! ... Read more

Book Description

Bulldozers push the raccoon and his friends from their home, but they are able to find a new one after a terrifying train ride. ... Read more

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.

The courageous decision of the group to leave their familiar home and embark on a journey to find a new "safe place" really speaks to my five year old who is nervous about the change from Preschool to Kindergarten this fall. She loves the "nice old brave raccoon," and says, "all the animals are so brave!" This book has helped show her that although transition can be scary, it can also be worked through; it has been comforting and reassuring for her.

I recommend this for any young child who is approaching a transition in their life.

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.

Shady Glade is the peak of Peet's storytelling and artistry. It's a great story about a group of forest creatures who's home is about to be destroyed by the progress of man. They leave their home, ironically, on the very instrument that brought man so quickly across the continent, a train, in search of a new shady glade.

Peet's sketches are beautiful, the story is simple with a moral, and his charaterizations of woodland creatures are classic.

This was my favorite book as a child. I highly recommend it.

A Really Cool Story That Your Children Will Love
This is one of Bill Peet's best books in which he dedicates it, "...with the hope that the new generation will carry on...preserving what is left of our natural world."

A wise old racoon and several animal friends are forced to evacuate their peaceful shady glade after big city construction overtakes their paradise. They catch a passing train and begin their quest for a new home.

A wonderful story for children with an environmental message
I remember this book from my own childhood and its message has never left me: take care of some space for the animals to live. The story has great characters and the illustrations are wonderful. The animal's journey from their doomed home to a new one is well worth sharing with your child. ... Read more

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.

Cowardly Clyde was my oldest son's favorite children's story when he was little. I love this book. Clyde the war horse is the hero of the story instead of the knight in shining armor. This book teaches that one can be brave when the need arises and risk life and limb for a friend. A must among childrens literature.

A True Ker-Puffle of a Delight!
This wonderful book appeals to my 5 year old boy because of the somewhat scary monster, the brave knight, but ultimately the courageous horse who must over come his cowardice to save his master Sir Galavant.

I was impressed with Peet's use of assonance and alliteration and over-all word choice: "...The faint-hearted horse was horrified."

This is super book and I recommend it highly - and the illustrations are beautiful to boot.

My Son's Favorite
We checked this book out at the library...and it has turned out to be my son's absolute favorite! I can't believe it..but he loves turning the pages over and over and looking at the scary monster. (He is 16 months old.) He is a little impatient for me to read the text as of yet, but he loves the noises I make to go along with the story. His favorite part is when the monster explodes (I say "Ka-boom" even though the text says "Ker-puffle") All in all-excellent job!! (I even rated it 5 stars with a longer review on epinions.com) ... Read more

Book Description

Bruce, a bear bully, never picks on anyone his own size until he is diminished in more ways than one by a small but very independent witch. ... Read more

Book Description

The true story and adventures of Capyboppy, the Peet family's pet capybara. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

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.

He's One of the Family
Capy's got feelings. He's a ham. He knows how to have fun. He loves the other members of the family. The cats think he's a giant mouse and he takes advantage. When he grows up the family is faced with a dilemma. It's a charming story and the illustrations are delightful. My 6 year old daughter laughs with every page no matter how many times we read it. A sure hit with any kid who loves animals.

Fun Book!
I recomend this book for families and/or animal lovers. It is a true story and is good fun. Think of what living with the worlds largest kind of rodent would be like.

Capyboppy was a good book.
This book was about a capybeara that lived in the Peet family. It got into lots of adventures. I liked this book because it was about a rodent that was very cute. ... Read more

Book Description

The world seems a cold place to Harold, a very overgrown rabbit, until he finds his niche as a champion trotter. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Huge Harold
Bill Peet is a fabulous writer. His rhyming technique makes his books easy to read. Huge Harold is my favorite book of Bill Peets by far.... You'll fall in love with Huge Harold. I did. In most of his books you start out feeling sorry for main character, but they all end up on top in the end. It really give you a good feeling inside. There are good morals to his stories, and I enjoy reading every one of them over and over again.

in the grand tradition of rabbit fiction!
this is a sweet and funny book for kids that emphasizes the principle all rabbits know so well: do not judge, and permit everyone to live the way they want. neat drawings too.

Huge Harold - I've Found You!
I am a 41 year old mother of three - when I was a child my mother used to read this book to me MANY times a day. It was by far my all time favorite. My mother passed away not quite a year ago and I thought I would surely find the book when we went through her house - it was nowhere to be found. She probably destroyed it because I'm certain she was very sick of reading it time after time (just kidding). I am purchasing this classic so I can share it with my children. I am sure they will grow to love it just as much as I did! Huge Harold is one of the greatest children's books out there - it is very easy reading and very easy to listen to. The illustrations are wonderful. A double thumbs up to Bill Peet!

A Wonderful Story for Children, I Had to Buy it For Mine.
My grandmother bought me a signed copy of Huge Harold about 23years ago. I unfortunately lost that copy but have been looking for acopy for my children. Bill Peet is a wonderful author.

After 38 years, this book still remains one of my favorite!
My brother received this book as a gift in 1961. We all loved it right from the start. It rhymes, and the story has a sweet message for kids. Most of all, the illustrations are wonderful! ... Read more

Book Description

The elephant is the kindest animal in the jungle, rescuing the giraffe, lion, and rhino, but who will return the favor when the elephant needs help? ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Timeless and Touching
In this remarkably readable book, Bill Peet captures such an important lesson of life through his straight-forward writing style and exceptional artwork. The story suggests that while one's physical size might not matter all that much, perhaps the size of one's heart does. And you can never be too small to help someone else. This is certainly a wonderful lesson for children of all ages- toddler or adult. This is the second book in what I hope to be a full shelf of Bill Peet books in my home one day. I encourage you to read it.

The best book ever.....
My mother read this book to us all the time....it is a wonderful story with a great moral. I am a substitute also and I read it all the time! Students from kindergarten through fourth grade sit entranced while I read. This book is my favorite story of all time!

Great book! For adults, too.
I bought this book many years ago. Liked it so much, and so did my 2 sons, that I bought 2 more. When I began substitute teaching, I would grab one of his books. It was always a good way to get acquainted with the kids -- and they loved being read to, plus the illustrations are wonderful. Such talent!!!

Wonderful story with a moral!
I read this book when I was young. Recently, I bought it for my son. The moral holds true. The illustations are WONDERFUL! ... Read more

Book Description

Buford's giant horns cause him all sorts of problems and even force him to leave his mountainside home, but eventually they make him a hero on the ski slopes. ... Read more

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, great writing, great pictures. an A+ ... Read more

Book Description

Bill Peet tells his life story, including his years with Disney, with illustrations on every page. ... Read more

Book Description

Describes in rhyme a variety of fantastical creatures such as the blue-snouted Twumps, the pie-faced Pazeeks, and the fancy Fandangos. ... Read more

Book Description

Progress forces Smokey the switch engine out of a job until he discovers a new way to help people. ... Read more

Book Description

Ella the elephant thinks of herself as a famous circus star, but gets a lesson in humility when a mean farmer puts her to work. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

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 them with my son. Ella is the classic tale of the underdog making good in the end and I would HIGHLY recommend it (or ANY Bill Peat book) for anyone who enjoys sharing stories of substance with their children. ... Read more

Book Description

The other peacocks want Prewitt to move away, then they discover the benefits of his ferocious-looking tail. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Bill Peet charms again!
If you have yet to become acquainted with Bill Peet books, you're in for a treat! His vibrantly colorful illustrations are fantastic and his stories very engaging. I remember as a child how my imagination would run and frolick around in his wonderful stories and pictures.

Prewitt Peacock's story is no exception. It's a tale of a... well... a tail. Prewitt's tail is different from the other peacocks' tails, and he's subsequently an outcast. His tail isn't quite what it seems, however, and what was once his weakness becomes his greatest strength. Without being melodramatic, Bill Peet's story can teach a child that it's OK to be different - what sets you apart can make you special, too!

This book comes highly recommended for all kids (and their parents)! ... Read more