Bilal's Brilliant Bee by Michael Rosen

If I still worked in my school library I would most definitely add this book to my collection because firstly, and this might seem strange, but I love Bilal's name. We had very few children in my previous school with multicultural heritage. Equally this book could be terrific in a school where there are kids with the name Bilal which is an Arabic or Turkish name. Secondly, I do like the moral dilemma layer of this story. Did Bilal cheat and so should he confess? These books (see below) are short with only 90 illustrated pages and short chapters that are sure to keep readers turning the pages guessing how the story could possibly have a happy ending.

Bilal finds schoolwork difficult. He never seems to be able to find the 'right' answer to the questions asked by his teachers but one day a bee arrives in his classroom and, very surprisingly, Bumble the Bee is able to give Bilal answers to those pesky questions. 

After school Bilal watches a television a quiz show What's what? Win the Lot! with his grandmother. Now that he has the help of Bumble he is able to answer any question on the quiz which consists of 101 questions. The winner takes home every prize in the studio. The early questions are easy but of course they get harder and harder. So far no one has ever won this quiz. I am sure you have guessed that Bilal goes on the quiz show and he answers nearly every question with the help of Bumble. 

Then comes questions 101 - What is the barcode on the label on the bottle of water in my pocket? An impossible question and certainly one Bumble the Bee cannot answer but I am certain Bilal will surprise you.

Typical of former Children's Laureate Michael Rosen, this book is funny, sly and gloriously accompanied by Tony Ross' instantly recognisable bold illustrations. Book Trust

This book is one title from a set of eight books by Michael Rosen illustrated by Tony Ross. Strangely one online book seller lists books from this series as over AUS$23 while another lists them at just over AUS$14. It pays to shop around. Bilal's Brilliant Bee was published in 2016 but it is still available. 

I have previously talked about Choosing Crumble.

Bob Graham Quiz

My copy of September/October 2022 Horn Book Magazine arrived today with a review of Bob Graham's newest book - Jigsaw: A Puzzle in the Post or as it is called in the US Jigsaw: A Mystery in the Mail.

I love their words:

"Graham fans will know to expect a miracle. His squiggly, interrupted pen lines can render even a pile of wastepaper dynamic, and even the cadence of his text makes the ordinary grand. ... this timely tale is a celebration of wishful thinking."  Sarah Allen reviewer 

Here is a quiz I sent to a friend for her 80th Birthday. I thought I would share it here just for fun! She is a huge fan (and expert) on the works of our wonderful Australian author/illustrator Bob Graham.

Can you identify the Bob Graham book for each of these quotes?

• Let’s call him a small hero; a small hero doing quiet deeds. The world needs more of those.
• Grandma and Grandad’s! A whole day and night. Where the tea is always hot, there’s a bed of feathers for weary wings, and pancakes with syrup for breakfast.
• Grandad was still reading from a Poem for Every Day of the Year, with Vincent’s sweet breath in his ear.
• The girls drank hot elderberry juice and then were hugged some more.
• Pete put his cap on his bed. Next he placed a piece of apple inside, for when Roland woke up. 
• They had a dog with goggles that rode up on the petrol tank It was the best thing I ever saw in my life.
• They ate the picnic grandma had packed. Plum sandwiches and hard-boiled eggs with a little sprinkle of salt.
• The music slips under doorways, through skylights and windows … as surely and pleasantly as the smell of hot chocolate.
• Sunlight from all over the city streamed through the window and the kitchen clock struck ten.
• The baby arrived on the stroke of midnight along with two little strands of red hair.
• Mrs Stavros bought a bus cake, and Lucy lent her dog, Bear, for anyone who needed to just sit and pat something. 
• The engine coughed and sputtered. Wild flowers burst from the tailpipe. And for those who had time to look, the small van gathered speed. … and slowly left the ground like a swan in flight.
• The seventh day was picnic day on the docks, with plum jam sandwiches, ginger beer and fruit cake.
• I’ve bought some flowers and hot fairy cakes from my mum.
• Dave climbed right over the top of Kate, who briefly wore him like a hat.
• “That’s wishful thinking,’ said Mum. ‘Let’s wish then,’ said Katie.
• Will opened his hands and with a beat of its wings, the bird was gone.