The Best Way to Play. A Little Bill Book for Beginning Readers, Level 3 Oprah's Book Club

Customer Reviews

A Really Neat Book!

1999-06-27
I cannot believe anyone would NOT like this book! My 6 year old said "Hey, I like this book!". She was AMAZED by it. It's IMAGINATIVE and written from the kids point of view. What a concept! It tells the story of a boy who discovers for himself the truth about something instead of being "preached to" by his parents. As good parents know, a lecture isn't always the best way to teach a child something. Sometimes life can do a better job (in some areas). This book shows that.

good way to get grandparents to explain playing the dozens.

1998-04-24
I read this book to a class of 14 year olds in an effort to get the message across to them that name-calling is an ineffective way of communicating. I asked them what a 5 year old would think of the book and if there were any messages in it for them. I was pleased that they could relate to the theme.I also had my 7 year old grandson read it to me. He gave it a 10!His grandfather, a former "master dozens player" enjoyed discussing it with him as well.

It's good!

1998-02-03
This is a good book, it's pretty and fun, and helps kids understand that they don't always have to have the toy they see on TV.

Captivating to even reluctant readers--a genuine reward!

1998-01-12
Right off the bat, the illustrations make you want to read this "easy" [high-interest/limited vocabulary]book. Little Bill is an "everyboy" character whose life is enriched through interactions with his family, friends, and most of all--his own imagination! I use this book to teach character lessons to my 5th grade students and to get them hooked on reading, even though this book could be read independently by much younger students. This series is going into my personal literary treasure chest for my future grandchildren. It's like watching a great movie between the covers--far better than any old video game!

Excellent message for youngsters

2006-02-22
These level 3 chapter books are great confidence builders for those readers just getting comfortable with reading. The story is engaging and the chapters give a sense of accomplishment along with suspense (whats going to happen next). Funny with a good message also.

Pleased with product

2005-09-17
I was very pleased on the speed of the delivery of the product. It was in excellent condition to be a used book. Thank you for your wonderful service!

A good imagination beats a video game (almost) any day

2004-03-26
In "The Best Way to Play" Little Bill and his friends find out that their favorite television "Space Explorers" has a new video game, so they all go home and start hounding their parents to spend fifty bucks to buy it for them. However, Big Bill says for Little Bill to ask his mother, his mother thinks $50 is too much to spend on a toy, and Alice the Great thinks he should be asking his parents for a book. The situation is that Little Bill and his friends do not think that they can have any fun less they have the new game. But, as Little Bill's mother correctly points out, asking and getting are two different things.

The point of this Little Bill Book for Beginning Readers, which is illustrated by Varnette P. Honeywood, is that Little Bill and his friends already had a great way of having fun without the new video game when they were waiting for "Space Explorers" to start and were imagining that they had their own space ship sailing through the galaxy. In his introductory letter to parents child psychiatry specialist Dr. Alvin Pouissant points out that using "television as a springboard for creative play" is a great way for children to develop their imaginations and to benefit from physical activity.

Bill Cosby's story also has a message about advertising hype that notes how the actual product is often disappointing. However, this particular point may well be the weak point in Cosby's argument. The "Space Explorers" video game is apparently easy enough that Little Bill and his friends can all get perfect scores. I am sure there are video games out there combine the twin sins of being expensive and not challenging, but my experience with such games has been that they can be the latter without being the former. It seems to me that many of the most popular video games are so challenging that you have to spend additional money to pick up a guidebook that teaches you how to get to the next level. Consequently, the potency of Cosby's argument in "The Best Way to Play" might hinge on the actual experience of beginning readers with video games in the real world.

The Best Way to Play is the best! 2000-05-22
Little Bill & his friends want the new Space Explorersvideo game! Their parents won't buy it so how can Little Bill &his friends have fun without it? Written by America's most beloved comedian & storyteller, Little Bill Books value of friendships & family. They encourage children to solve problems fairly & creatively...

My 4 1/2 year old LOVES it ! 2000-01-22
For the first time, my son has truly enjoyed story time/reading. I can't explain it, but he just adores these Little Bill books. We have tried EVERYTHING to get him interested in reading and listening to stories. Maybe a 4 1/2 yr. old can simply relate! We all like the values being taught as well as the illustrations. It is a real joy to see and hear our son "read" us Little Bill stories. What a blessing these stories/books have been to our family. Thank you Bill and Varnette!