Bill and Pete

Bill and Pete

by Tomie dePaola

Tomie dePaola has created two memorable friends in this wonderfully funny picture book. Bill, the crocodile, and Pete, his "toothbrush" bird friend, were inspired by the Egyptian plover, which does indeed act as a crocodile toothbrush.Their adventures together along the banks of the River Nile, which include Bill's first day at crocodile school and an encounter with the Bad Guy from Cairo, are filled with the originality and offbeat humor of this favorite author-artist.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Friendship, Animals, Fiction, Humor, Adventure

32 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1978

About the author

Tomie dePaola (pronounced Tommy da-POW-la) was best known for his books for children.

He had a five-decade writing and illustrating career during which he published more than 270 books, including 26 Fairmount Avenue, Strega Nona, and Meet the Barkers.

Tomie dePaola and his work have been recognized with the Caldecott Honor Award, the Newbery Honor Award, the Laura Ingalls Wilder Award, and the New Hampshire Governor's Arts Award of Living Treasure.

Reviews

[Philip · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gwennie: Wait! *Gwennie holds the book up to the screen* YEP! THIS IS IT! This is it. *Takes book away*

Dad: Ok. Lets

Gwennie: Wait! *Gwennie holds the book up to the screen again* YEP! THIS IS THE BOOK! *Takes book away* Give it 3 stars! Gwennie promptly leaves the room singing, "Bang, boom, bang-gali bong..."

Dad: So Gwennie said to give the book 3 stars, what do you think, El?

Eleanor: Uuh! I wanna give it FIIIiiive stars! Or else I might get bummed. I might get bummed daddy. I might. get. bummed. Hey dad? Dad?!?

Dad: Hey, hold on. It's been a while since we've done a review right?

E: Right.

D: SOoooo... *saying so extra long so I can keep typing* You have to remember that I'm typing so you can't talk too fast. Ok?

E: Ok... And dad?

D: What?

E: If. Well, today... put where I played with my fingers in the review! I said, "Daddy finger! Daddy finger!" And I put them on your arm! Did that hurt?

D: Hey El? I know you like to put goofy things in your reviews, but lets keep this one about the book, ok?

E: *Sighs REALLY loud* Dad, I guess I don't want to do this review, because it's taking a while... a really long while.

Gwennie enters the room YELLING. I can't tell what she's saying.

Liz just said, "Phil, did you hear what she just said? She just said something really important."

She entered and started yelling again.

D: Gwennie! Gwennie! Come here and tell me again. I'm here for real this time.

E: It's hard to wait! I don't want to wait!

D: What was Gwennie saying?

E: She said it was popcorn day, and corn day at her preschool.

D: Ooo.. What should I write about that? Anything?

E: Uh-huh... Only I'm going to get out of here because this is taking TOO LONG.

D: Well tell about it.

E: Well, he had to get a toothbrush. AND HE PICKED PETE! He didn't want to get two toothbrushes, he only wanted to get one. And he went to school, and all the crocodiles said A, B, C,

D: Hold on a second, because you said something crazy. You said he was supposed to pick a toothbrush, and he picked Pete. That doesn't make sense. People aren't toothbrushes...

E: Birds. Birds are.

D: Birds are?

E: Birds are for crocodiles.

D: Birds are for crodiles.

E: They brush crocodiles' teeth. It takes all the food. Chk chk chkachka chk chk chka *Eleanor is brushing her teeth with her finger - pecking at them like a bird...*

E: And all the crocodiles went to school, and Mrs. Ibis said, "Repeat after me," and they all said, "ABCDEFG" and they went out to the river on a day there was no school, and a guy on his bicycle was passing by...

D: Hold on a second. We don't want to tell the whole story.

E: And we're not supposed to tell the end...

D: Right...

E: But there's only a couple at the beginning, and it's a VERY SHORT BOOK. So, if I can only review the beginning, I'll GET BUMMED! I just really want to, just for today.

D: But if you tell people what happened, they may not want to read the book. You want people to read the book, right?

E: Uh huh... A couple of the beginning, there's only 1. 2.3... 3 parts of the beginning, and THEN THE END! And then 4, 5.6.7.8.9.10 and then it's the END. A very short book.

D: Well, hold on a second. Let me ask you a different question. You've been talking about this book non-stop, right? For days, right?

E: Em hmmm... Right. Rightie-o.

D: So, why have you been talking about it so much?

E: Because I LOVE it. SO, so much.

D: Well, who do you like more, Bill or Pete?

E: Bill.

D: Why?

E: Because... ...Bill's... just because... HEY! Mom's calling your name, and I want to read the review!

D: Maybe we can read it after dinner, because I'm gonna go help your mom.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an oldie but goodie for storytime for preschoolers (patient preschoolers). I read it to some kids this morning at "reptile storytime" and they LOVED the whole deal with Pete the toothbrush bird as well as the crocodile suitcases. Sure, calling the Bad Guy in the story "The Bad Man" might be a tad simple, but hello, it's a talking toothbrush bird! And, the Bad Man (here's a spoiler) runs away naked, which always gets the kids laughing. It was really fun to share this with the kids.

[Shauna Ludlow Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just read that this wonderful author passed away, so I was going through a list of his books. This was a favorite of my children. Hopefully I will instill a love for it to my grandchildren too.

[Jordan · Rating 4 out of 5]

100% thought that Bill was going to eat the suitcase guy.

[Dan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stone-cold blooded classic. I dig Bill and Pete's adventures, especially Bill's dexterity, despite not having a thumb.
.

[Emma H · Rating 5 out of 5]

“I love it when the bad guy jumped out of the window in his birthday suit. And it is funny. And I love it. Thank you for writing this wonderful book.” -Sebastián 6 years old

[Camila · Rating 5 out of 5]

The biography’’bill pete ’’is a really good book. I think it is a good book because it tells us how he worked with walt disney. I really loved how it told us what he did and what he created. It tells us the story of his life and how he was mistreated by his workers. He was an inspiration to many people in different cities. He created so many things related to disney. I mean if he was not here disney land would probly not be here today. I love this book and if you read it i hope you do too.

[Edward Sojuwa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tomie DePaola gave us his most popular book series with Bill and Pete, a wonderful set of stories with high adventure and incredible friendship. Bill the Crocodile begins as William Everett, a humble baby croc learning his ABCs at school and whose best friend is a tooth cleaning bird named Pete. Pete does a lotta stuff with William, even getting him to write his name as BILL, in case Bill forgets. When he gets croc-napped by a Bad Guy who steals crocodiles for purposes of creating luggage, it's Pete to the rescue, and it's good ol' Bill who gets back at the Bad Guy and shows him that turning Crocs into baggage is not the brightest idea ever. The late Tomie DePaola has given us a huge gift for kids of all ages, and there's more to discover. I promise.
Four stars
Bill and Pete ROCK!

[Darla · Rating 5 out of 5]

When your name if William Everett Crocodile, even Ms. Ibis will have difficulty helping you to learn to write your name. Good thing William Everett's mama takes him to pick out his own toothbrush before he starts Kindergarten. His new friend Pete (a plover, of course) helps William Everett review what he learns in school. Pete is also the one who show him how to shorten his name to Bill. That is much easier to write! This one also has an exciting adventure included. There are lots of wonderful details in the illustrations like Mrs. Crocodile wearing her going-to-town hat and carrying her matching bag. Kids will enjoy the daring escape Will and Pete make when they are kidnapped. Tell them not to worry. Only bad guys deserve to find a crocodile in their bath along with the rubber duck. 😉

[Andie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very cute book. Emmie had me read this one to her this morning. We were given a TON of books from a sweet teacher at a local school because a sad side effect of the pandemic is that many schools are having to discontinue the use of paper & ink materials, including beloved entire libraries. I understand why, but it's still troubling. I'm thankful to have recieved this one in the haul.
We may keep this one around a little longer it was such a hit.
I plan on stocking a few Little Lending Libraries with books out of the ones we recieved.

[Camila]

The biography’’bill pete ’’is a really good book. I think it is a good book because it tells us how he worked with walt disney. I really loved how it told us what he did and what he created. It tells us the story of his life and how he was mistreated by his workers. He was an inspiration to many people in different cities. He created so many things related to disney. I mean if he was not here disney land would probly not be here today. I love this book and if you read it i hope you do too.

[Melissa Namba · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was pleasantly surprised with this book. It is a story about an Alligator, William, who is friends with this toothbrush, Pete. There are many different lessons learned as well as ways of teaching things. Pete as a toothbrush to be purchased at the grocery store being a great example. One of the plot lines involves a man who is looking to turn alligators into suitcases. Pete saves William, and it leaves space for dialogue with a child about poaching.

[Goshen PL Childrens · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read for Storytime November 14, 2018
Theme: Reptiles

This was the first time any of my kids had heard this funny story. I told them how it was one of my favorites as a kid and that there might be a spot where some shoots a moon. I think that was what made them sit and listen. There were giggles and maybe have some Bill and Pete lovers now.

[Peacegal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightful, creative, and funny book with colorful, nostalgic illustrations. I loved that there's an animal protection message included--Bill the crocodile does NOT want to be made into a suitcase, and he's going to make sure the Bad Guy won't be a danger to him or his friends on the Nile any longer.

[Cheyenne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, Bill and Pete. You were the two adorable reasons I spent my younger days seeking a "pink toothbrush birdy" to befriend, and part of my journey towards appreciating misunderstood animals.

Tomie dePaola never, ever missed -- I think I'll start picking up his books to give to my friends who are having kids. <3

[Claire · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tomie dePaola's story and drawings are irresistible. The illustrations alone are great, full of funny little details (e.g. the wrinkled old crocodile and toothbrush bird offering a warning...). Little ones do not tire of this book!

[Lex · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is slower and not as engaging as most children’s books—definitely NOT for story time!—but is very educational and makes a great assignment/supplement for history, geography, or social studies

[Sandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A crocodile and his toothbrush live on the Nile River. A bad guy enters the scene to a victorious and hilarious end. Fictional fun and a few hints of biology (crocodile hygiene), history (crocodile leather suitcases) and geography (Egypt) - but mostly just silly.

[Maeve · Rating 3 out of 5]

William Everett Crocodile (or Bill for short) is finally old enough to get a toothbrush (a pink bird named Pete). The two become fast friends. Pete helps Bill at school and even rescues him from a Bad Guy.

Cute!

[Ellen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very cute book and great for teaching students about the Nile River.

[Paula · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super cute book!

[Colin · Rating 5 out of 5]

My kids (3 and 5) really LOVED this story about a Nile crocodile named Bill and his toothbrush (a bird) named Pete. Tomie dePaola is awesome!

[Bari · Rating 4 out of 5]

You can never go wrong with a book by Tomie dePaola

[Kay Mcaloney · Rating 4 out of 5]

This will be a fun read with my second grade reading group!

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Emily Gingrich · Rating 1 out of 5]

I don't think I would ever read this book in class. The story line does not really follow through till the end, the pictures are awkward and confusing, and the characters do not have much of an arc.

[Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely adore all of the Bill and Pete books. They are precious. Brings back so many good memories of when my kids were little.

[Two Hearts Homeschool · Rating 4 out of 5]

5 year old asks for this book often!

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

We can be more than one thing, just like Pete is more than a toothbrush. Perspective is everything.

[Noah · Rating 5 out of 5]

The bad guy almost gets eaten by Bill the crocodile!