The Horn Book Guide

PICTURE BOOKS

Gilles, Almira Astudillo

Willie Wins

32 pp. | Lee | April, 2001 | Trade ISBN 1-58430-023-X $$16.00

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Carl Angel. When Willie needs to bring a bank into school, his father provides him with an old coconut bank from his childhood in the Philippines; the bank has a special surprise inside--a Willie Mays baseball card. Willie's struggles with feeling different and being bullied are wrapped in a warm tale that introduces a few details from Filipino culture. The illustrations effectively capture Willie's emotions but are often stiff and awkward.

Reviewer: CHristine Sarrazin