Billie B Brown: The book swap flop by Sally Rippin. Illus. by Aki Fukuoka
The Billie B Brown book series of chapter books for emerging readers (particularly girls) by Australian Children's Laureate Sally Rippin needs no introduction. Well loved by teachers, librarians, parents and children alike, the first book was published in 2009. The series continues to grow and there are now approximately 25 books which can be bought as boxed sets or separately. Billie B Brown: The book swap flop (2025) is the latest book in the series.
Billie B Brown is a thoroughly likeable little girl. The situations in which she finds herself are typical of what happens in the everyday lives of little children and thus the books are very relatable. The way that Billie solves her problems can be a teaching point for children. Each book concerns itself with one small adventure or happening. Adults are supportive and sensible but agency is left with Billie and her friends. When they find solutions they are congratulated.
Billie B Brown: The book swap flop sees Billie bringing her favourite book that was a special gift from her grandmother to school along with a gold coin so that she can participate in a Book Swap fundraiser. Like many children, she probably missed the point that the book would go to someone else in the class and not a sick child in hospital. When Lola picks up Billie's book, Billie is horrified but there is nothing she can do... or is there? With a little help from her friend Jack, Billie learns to think more positively about comics and "How to" books and perhaps a solution can be found.
Lessons learnt are: accept the rules, be open to new ideas and be kind.
Like all the books in the series, Billie B Brown: The book swap flop is warm-hearted and a great entry point for children who are ready for independent reading of chapter books. The font is large; words that need to be stressed are in different, larger and bolder font. The vocabulary is accessible and the sentences are short, well constructed and demonstrate examples of the variety that students of that age are beginning to encounter and write themselves. Aki Fukuoka's delightful illustrations perfectly accompany the text throughout the stories and make the books visually enchanting as they exude the charm of the characters that Rippin has created.
Other equally popular series by Rippin are Hey Jack! (especially created for boys) and School of Monsters.
Themes: Books, Doing the right thing, Resilience, Friendship, Learning new things, Feelings.
Wendy Jeffrey