Children's Fiction Military & Wars
Sergeant Billy
The True Story of the Goat Who Went to War
- Publisher
- Tundra
- Initial publish date
- Sep 2019
- Category
- Military & Wars, Pets, Boys & Men
- Recommended Age
- 4 to 8
- Recommended Grade
- p to 3
-
Hardback
- ISBN
- 9780735264427
- Publish Date
- Sep 2019
- List Price
- $21.99
Classroom Resources
Where to buy it
Description
A delightful tale inspired by the true story of a brave goat war hero. Perfect for fans of Finding Winnie and Rescue and Jessica.
During World War I, a goat named Billy was adopted by a platoon of soldiers and made his way across the ocean to be part of the war effort.
Billy . . .
Trained with the soldiers
Was smuggled across the ocean
Got snuck into the frontlines in a box of oranges
Ate some secret documents and was arrested for treason
Got trench foot
Head-butted soldiers into a trench and saved them from a shell
Came back home a decorated war hero
This charming true story follows Sergeant Billy from his small prairie town to the trenches of World War I and back, through harrowing moments, sad moments, moments of camaraderie and moments of celebration. This unforgettable goat and the platoon that loved him will capture your heart!
About the authors
Mireille Messier est une autrice jeunesse née à Montréal, qui a grandi à Ottawa et qui habite maintenant à Toronto. Elle a travaillé dans les domaines de la radiodiffusion et du théâtre. Mireille a publié plus de trente livres en français ou en anglais destinés aux enfants de tous les âges, dont l’album Sergent Billy: La vraie histoire du chevreau devenu soldat. Son album Ma branche préférée a été mis en nomination pour les prix Shining Willow, Blue Spruce et pour les Prix littéraires du Gouverneur général du Canada. Avant de devenir autrice, Mireille a été animatrice à la télévision et à la radio, scénariste, critique littéraire — des domaines dans lesquels elle œuvre toujours de temps à autre. Mireille vit à Toronto avec cinq chats, deux oiseaux et plus d’une centaine de poissons rouges (mais pas de chevaux !).
Mireille Messier's profile page
KASS REICH is an artist and educator. She graduated with a degree in Art Education from Concordia University, then worked in Beijing as an early childhood educator for nearly three years. Working with little ones inspired her to start making picture books for young learners. She lives in Toronto, Ontario.
Awards
- Winner, Hackmatack Children’s Choice Book Award
- Winner, Rocky Mountain Book Award
- Winner, Christopher Book Awards
Editorial Reviews
“Messier’s smooth, well-paced text and Reich’s muted gouache illustrations. . . . [i]maginatively conveys the drudgery—if not the sheer terror—of war to a young audience.” --Kirkus Reviews
“Messier takes young readers beyond the mud and blood of World War I with her rollicking humanizing tale of a goat and the soldiers who cared for it. Illustrator Kass Reich expertly captures the tone of Messier’s words with her delightful illustrations. . . . Highly recommended.” --CM Magazine
"“Humanizes the realities of war.” --CityParent
