Willy the Wizard [Paperback]

Browne's (Willy the Wimp) fourth book featuring his ingenuous, remarkably human chimp mingles soccer and magic, two topics of indisputable appeal to kids. In wry, splendidly detailed pictures and a characteristically assured narrative, the author/artist relays the story of Willy's soccer breakthrough. Since he can't afford to buy soccer "boots," the chimp is ignored by the other players (shown here as gorillas). Then he encounters an ethereal yet curiously familiar figure dressed in old-fashioned soccer clothes, "like the clothes Willy remembered his dad wearing." The two kick around a soccer ball, and the stranger unlaces his cleats and passes them to Willy. At the next practice, the shoes transform Willy into a star. But when Willy forgets to bring his special shoes to the big game and has to wear another pair, he nevertheless plays like a "wizard," stunning the opposition and scoring the winning goal. With admirable subtlety, Browne delivers a beneficial message to all youngsters-soccer-playing or not. Ages 4-8.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

PreSchool-Grade 3-This "field of dreams" for the juvenile soccer set features a smaller-than-average chimp who, lacking cleats, is never picked for the team. An encounter with a stranger, another chimp dressed in old-fashioned gear that Willy's father might have worn and surrounded by an aura of white, yields the longed-for shoes. Willy dazzles the players, makes the team, and maintains a rigid and hilarious bedtime and waking regimen in an attempt to preserve the magic. On the day of the big match, he sleeps in, foregoes the rituals, and forgets the lucky shoes. Readers will not be disappointed in the pint-sized hero. Browne uses textures, scale, and page design to great effect as he contrasts the team's hairy hulks with his downy pipsqueak and alternates multiple frames with single views to hasten the action or build suspense. Willy is a winner with surefire appeal for anyone who wonders if attaining a goal is possible.?Wendy Lukehart, Dauphin County Library, Harrisburg, PA
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Ages 4^-8. In the fourth book about Willy, the small, outsider chimp loves soccer, but he can't afford boots, and though he goes to all the practice sessions, none of the big, burly players passes the ball to him. One evening a ghostly stranger plays great soccer with Willy and gives Willy his boots. Wearing those magic boots, Willy practices and practices, and he's fantastic. He's on the team. Then on the day of the big match, he forgets the boots but plays like a champ. Browne is not in his scary Changes (1991) mode here. The story is more like wish fulfillment, or downright therapy about the wizardry inside you. But the art is so astonishing that you get drawn right into the world of this anxious, lonely chimp and his compulsions and his triumphant transformation. Those boots sprawl on the page with their shabby leather and trailing laces. Kids will know it couldn't happen, but they'll enjoy the dream of scoring that winning goal. Hazel Rochman

Willy is a winner with surefire appeal for anyone who wonders if attaining a goal is possible."--(starred review) School Library Journal


From the Hardcover edition.

Hans Christian Andersen Medal winner Anthony Browne brings his polished artwork to another humorous, heartwarming tale about the charming chimp and his unexpected success.

Calling all soccer fans! WILLY THE WIZARD finds the hapless chimp longing to play but unable to afford a uniform. When a mysterious stranger gives Willy a pair of old-fashioned soccer shoes, Willy discovers he has superstar skills. But is the magic in the shoes - or in Willy?

Willy is a winner with surefire appeal for anyone who wonders if attaining a goal is possible."--(starred review) School Library Journal

Anthony Browne is rightly regarded as one of the world's leading picturebook creators.  He lives in England with his wife and two children.  He has won awards in many countries, including the Kate Greenaway Medal of England for GORILLA and ZOO,  and the Kurt Maschler Award of Germany for GORILLA.  His inspiration for GORILLA came from a combination of things -- a greeting card he'd designed of a huge macho gorilla holding a teddy bear, a very lonely boy he knew whose father lived in New Zealand, his own fascination with gorillas.  The behavior of a real family provided the idea for PIGGYBOOK (not his own, however!)  When the book was completed, he presented the family with a copy, without comment.  But they didn't see any relevance to themselves!  


From the Hardcover edition.