King Billy and the Royal Road

R.C. Ajuonuma (Goodreads Author)

3.89 · Rating details · 9 Ratings · 7 Reviews

Billy lives like a prince with his mum, eating all the feasts and treats a boy could want. He doesn’t know much about people and places because she never lets him out.

One day, he wakes up peckish and sneaks off for a snack. But what begins as a trip to town becomes a search for a new friend and the start of a magical journey…

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Paperback, 84 pages

Published November 17th 2017 by SilverWood Books

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May 05, 2018 Jane rated it it was ok

Shelves: 1netgalley, 2018, netgalley-challenge, non-kindle-kindle, ya-kids, middle-grade

King Billy and the Royal Road is a whimsical tale told in verse about a boy who goes off on a bit of a magical adventure.

I admire the skill it takes for an author to compose a story written in rhyme. R.C. Ajuonuma has done a good job here; there were a few times the rhythm felt a bit off to me, but overall, the stanzas were well done.

Unfortunately, this is the type of story that deals in the nonsensical, and I don't tend to enjoy those stories. I prefer to read plots that are a bit better define ...more

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Feb 01, 2018 Bonnie rated it it was amazing

“King Billy and the Royal Road” is a lovely children’s book, based on the Major Arcana of the Tarot (which are often referred to as the Royal Road). It is written in short paragraphs, akin to poetry, and shows a fluid series of thoughts for a young boy called Billy.

The format of the story is very much fairy tale/adventure, with Billy waking up to an empty refrigerator. No food! He tries to wake his mother, but is unable to, so he makes the decision to grab a sack, and a stick, and begin his jou
“King Billy and the Royal Road” is a lovely children’s book, based on the Major Arcana of the Tarot (which are often referred to as the Royal Road). It is written in short paragraphs, akin to poetry, and shows a fluid series of thoughts for a young boy called Billy.

The format of the story is very much fairy tale/adventure, with Billy waking up to an empty refrigerator. No food! He tries to wake his mother, but is unable to, so he makes the decision to grab a sack, and a stick, and begin his journey to find food. (For those who know the Tarot, in the card entitled The Fool the character is on a journey, with his belongings tied up in a sack that he carries at the end of a stick. Billy makes his way past a dog that his mother has told him is his best friend, while the Fool has a little white dog that travels with him, and nips at his heels.)

Note: I need to mention here that Billy lives with his mother, who feeds him well and keeps him protected from the outside world. Indeed, he has no experience of the outside world, about people, and places, because his mother does not let him out.

Throughout his journey, Billy comes upon people and places that have food to offer. They also offer him other things – such as an atlas to the world (where he could find food on his own), and words of wisdom (he is not the Prince that he thinks he is). He ends up with more food than he cares for, but he has lost the beautiful young lady he talked to on his journey.

The dog that is mother had told him was his friend reappears. In his haste to get away from him, Billy ends up in a cave, with a lamp on a table of stone, and a book. Every page said the same thing: “Be brave, be true, and your heart will find you.”

This is quite a fascinating journey, divided into three parts: Part 1 – The Way To Your Heart, Part 2 – Be Brave, Be True, and Part 3 – What Was Lost Can Be Found. This coincides readily with one way of breaking down the Major Arcana into stages of progression on the journey to enlightenment: (1) consciousness (the outer concerns of society), (2) subconscious (our inner search for self), and (3) superconscious (developing a spiritual awareness). It is presented in a manner that a young child can understand.

It was a pleasure to read this book, with the gentle black and white images by artist Beverley Young. It certainly lends itself to and adult reading the book to/with a child, and to ensuing discussions about what the child is getting from the book. I would love to read more books from author RC Ajuonuma along this line.
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May 11, 2018 Caitlin Gemmell rated it it was amazing

I wonder what the great mythologist Joseph Campbell would think of this book? I found it charming and considered it appropriate for children upon first glance. Although I wouldn’t think twice about reading this to my son, I do see that it contains many adult themes. In short, it is a retelling of the hero’s journey. It should be told by a minstrel or professional storyteller around a bonfire, under the stars. There are so many symbols and mythic threads woven throughout this beautiful, dark, lyr ...more

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Jun 14, 2018 Susan rated it really liked it

Billy wakes up one morning hungry. He goes to his mom’s bed and tries to wake her up but she doesn’t. Billy decides to go the store to get food. He starts out on his journey that turns out to be quite an adventure.

The book is written in verse. The illustrations are in black and white. It reminds me of a Dr. Seuss book with its rhyming and silliness. It’s a cute picture book for children ages 5 to 8 yeats old.

Disclaimer: I received an arc of this book free from the author/publisher from Netgalle ...more

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Mar 07, 2018 Debra rated it really liked it

Shelves: giveaway

I entered this sweepstake with the intent to send the book to my great niece who loves to read. She loved getting a package in the mail and even more excited that it was a book. She enjoyed King Billy and the Royal Road tremendously and wants to know if there is another one after this. She will be waiting by the mailbox.

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