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Walter and the Wallet

Walter and the Wallet

Regular price $18.99 Sale

By Billy Bloom, illustrated by Tanya Leonello

Walter Whippingdale is having the worst day of his life. The girl he likes is making googly eyes at another boy in his class. He struck out during recess. He broke his favorite watch. A giant pimple appeared on his nose. And to top it off, he somehow managed to get mustard in his eye at lunch! Walking home from school, his head is hanging low. Which is precisely how Walter spots a wallet lying in the street…a wallet bursting with cash. Suddenly, his terrible day is about to change. But how?

In a lovely, lyrical tale full of life lessons, first-time children’s author Billy Bloom has created a rhyming gem of a character development book. Accompanied by Tanya Leonello’s beautiful illustrations, you’ll be drawn in to this wonderful, lilting story of childhood morality.

Walter and the Wallet by Billy Bloom (read to his elementary students)

PRESS: 

Cover to Cover Book Beat Podcast Interview: Nice interview with Billy about his new book and love of Dr. Seuss

Mrs. Mommy Book Nerd Review

Fire Island News

Entertainment Report, Gift Guide 2017 Best Books

 

What People are Saying:

 “Lovely…with great illustrations!  A heartwarming tale for both adults and children…you really want to find out what Walter is going to do with the wallet!"   Lucinda Franks, Pulitzer Prize winning author

"Walter Whippingdale’s awful day takes an unexpected turn for the better when he stumbles across an abundance of cash, in Walter and the Wallet, by Billy Bloom. Rolling, rhyming four-line stanzas, accompanied by Tanya Leonello’s expressive watercolors, build excitement as Walter buzzes with the thrill of endless possibilities, and warm the heart as he discovers the rewards of honesty and giving. Perfect for a story-time read-aloud or programs that promote virtues and character building." Foreword Reviews 

"Deftly written by Billy Bloom and charmingly illustrated by Tanya Leonello, Walter and the Wallet is the picture book story of Walter Whippingdale -- who is having the worst day of his life. The girl he likes is making googly eyes at another boy in his class. He struck out during recess. He broke his favorite watch. A giant pimple appeared on his nose. And to top it off, he somehow managed to get mustard in his eye at lunch! Walking home from school, his head is hanging low. Which is precisely how Walter spots a wallet lying in the street -- and that wallet is simply bursting with cash. Suddenly, his terrible day is about to change. But how? "Walter and the Wallet" is a lovely and lyrical tale full of life lessons and childhood morality. As entertaining as it is thoughtful and thought-provoking, "Walter and the Wallet" is highly recommended for family, elementary school, and community library picture book collections." Midwest Book Review 

"I really enjoyed this book! The rhymes flowed nicely and kept me smiling. Sometimes I roll my eyes at rhyming picture books when I feel like the author took liberties on words in order to fit them into a rhyming structure, but this one flowed effortlessly, making it a joy to read. Whimsical watercolor illustrations bring the story to life, and I especially enjoyed the way the illustrator drew character emotions. I also found the layout of the book really pleasing, with different sized text and a different balance of pictures and words on every page. There is a great message in this book about how being honest and choosing to do the right thing are the best rewards of all. However, Walter and the Wallet manages to deliver this message without being didactic or condescending to kids. I think kids will really love this fun story!"   Meredith Tate on Critical Blast (July 2017) 

"Okay, kids, did you ever have a bad day? Well, if you have not, you are either very lucky or living in a world created by Disney (which, believe me, is a place I would love to live.) However, since I know that everyone in life has witnessed a bad day (unfortunately), where it seemed like nothing at school seemed to go at all well, than each and every one of you will do what I did after reading this book: You will become friends with Walter Whippingdale ...

To every parent out there, BUY this story. Not only because you are talking about a great tale that speaks of morals and values through a super-fun character, but also because the author has written this in rhyming verse (which I always praise because how difficult that is to do and keep doing throughout the book in order to hold the child’s interest)." 

Quill says: From awesome words to fun illustrations, the day you ‘find’ Walter will always be on your list as being one of the best days you’ve ever had." Feathered Quill Book Review (July 2017)