Review by Booklist Review
Ages 5-8. Bill the crocodile and Pete the bird (who serves as Bill's toothbrush) make a return appearance in this delightful romp down the Nile. It's the start of a new school year, and the friends are enthralled with all they're learning about Egyptian history: mummies, the sphinx, and the Sacred Eye of Isis the most valuable jewel in the world but one that also bestows bad luck on its owner. On a class trip, Bill and Pete go down the Nile to see some of the sights they've been studying. But Bill spots something besides tourist attractions the Bad Guy from Bill and Pete, dePaola's previous offering. Once again, the Bad Guy is up to no good; in fact, he's going to steal the Sacred Eye of Isis. So it's Bill and Pete to the rescue (well, mostly Pete). The bird flies into the WC, gets ahold of some toilet paper, and circles the Bad Guy, wrapping him up like a mummy. Fresh and funny, this will not only amuse little ones (and teach them a bit of Egyptology), but will also provide plenty of laughs for the adults who are reading this aloud as when the Bad Guy calls the crocodile a walking suitcase. Pure blues, greens, and pinks are the dominant colors dePaola uses to punctuate his continually amusing pictures. Whether focusing on the class of crocodiles moving in a straight line up the side of the pyramid, or on teacher Ms. Ibis, safari hat on head, umbrella in hand, the story has laughs aplenty. More Bill and Pete, please. IC. Egypt Fiction / Crocodiles Fiction [CIP] 86-12258
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
William Everett Crocodile and his friend, a talking toothbrush named Pete, journey down the famous river on an unexpectedly exciting class excursion. Ages 4-8. (July) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review
K-Gr 3 DePaola turns his gaze from the beloved hills of Italy to return to the fertile shores of Egypt's Nile River (Bill and Pete Putnam, 1978). Bill, a crocodile, and his inseparable friend Pete, a crocodile bird, head off for Bill's first day of school. Under the tutelage of Ms. Ibis they learn a fair bit of Egyptian history. The humor is gentle, and a bit of mystery and adventure is woven in as Bill and Pete capture a couple of bad guys during a class trip down the Nile. Egyptian motifs and warm colors accompany the full-page drawings that show Mama's ever-present gaze, always full of loving hearts for her dear son Bill. Humor, adventure, even a bit of Egyptian history and lorewho could ask for anything more, except for more ``Bill and Pete'' adventures. Judith Gloyer, Milwaukee Public Library (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
Bill, the little lime-green crocodile, is back with Pete, his magenta, living-toothbrush bird, in another humorous adventure. This time Ms. Ibis is taking the class on a trip to the Royal Museum to see the Sacred Eye of Isis. ""OOOOOOOO,"" say all the little crocodiles, suitably impressed by the treasures. But Bill and Pete are quick to notice ""The Bad Guy"" about to steal lite treasure. Working together, they foil the thief; and as a reward all the little crocodiles are sent home on the ""Nile Queen."" ""And so, Mama. that's what happened on our first class trip,"" says Bill. ""My goodness,"" says Mama. ""What an adventure."" Indeed. A warm and funny picture-book that should find a wide audience. This is also a visual delight, with simplified shapes, Egyptian motifs, and soft. stucco-like colors. Copyright ©Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
