  | Full Text Reviews: Booklist - 07/01/2015 This good-natured picture book introduces Billy and his pet goat, Goat. Billy is steady but timid, while Goat seeks adventure and fun. When they see a poster announcing the state fair, Billy plans to enter his pal in the best-goat contest. Goat, however, runs through the fair, rides the rides, and gobbles a lot of bad food. It’s all Billy can do to get up the courage to find him—and when he does, Goat is riding the biggest float in the fair parade. There’s nothing to do but join him and then enjoy all the fair has to offer. By then, it’s too late to enter the contest. But that’s okay. Billy knows who is the best goat, even without a ribbon to prove it. Yaccarino brings all this amusingly to life in brush, ink, and digital illustrations that feature bright, crisp colors and such graphic elements as mazes and maps. But even with all the bells and whistles, it’s the sweet relationship between Billy and Goat that is the heart of the story. - Copyright 2015 Booklist. School Library Journal - 06/01/2015 K-Gr 2—Billy (a boy) and Goat (a goat) are great friends and enjoy spending time together, though they do things very differently. The boy is content to read about adventure but Goat wants to live it. Billy likes the fragrance of flowers but Goat likes the taste. They both get excited about attending the upcoming state fair where Billy can enter his pal in the "Best-Goat Competition." On the big day, Goat finds the noise and the crowd thrilling but Billy is a bit overwhelmed by it all. While the goat takes full advantage of all there is to see and do at the fair, Billy spends most of his time trying to find his friend, until he realizes that he's actually enjoying himself. The competition doesn't end the way they would have liked, but they both have a great day and the boy has more confidence after his experiences. The artwork, created with brush and ink and Adobe Photoshop, contains bright, bold colors and varies from vignettes to spreads. VERDICT A fine introduction to state or county fairs for young children.—Maryann H. Owen, Children's Literature Specialist, Mt. Pleasant, WI - Copyright 2015 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission. Loading...
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