Billy and Rose: Just the Way They Are

Beginning readers who enjoyed Billy and Rose: Forever Friends (2022) will welcome this equally charming sequel. Written with the simplicity of empathy, it makes the point that friends may not agree on everything, as long as they care about each other. Denton’s gentle ink-and-watercolor illustrations portray Billy and Rose with soft, spring colors and the graceful, expressive positions and movements of dancers. A beguiling choice for beginning readers.—BooklistGentle words and fluid watercolor-and-ink illustrations remind readers how special friendship is… . Patterns within the stories will help early readers break into reading… but what stands out is how Billy and Rose clearly and calmly verbalize their opinions and model sharing, compromise, acceptance, and respecting individual differences… . A treasure trove of social-emotional skills.—Kirkus ReviewsCharming illustrations are the perfect accompaniment to ‘Billy & Rose: Just the Way They Are’ — a delightful story of friendship and how differences are not a barrier to getting along with one another.—The Reading Eagle

Amy Hest is the author of many books for young readers, including Billy and Rose: Forever Friends, The Summer We Found the Baby, Remembering Mrs. Rossi, and Letters to Leo. She is also the author of many picture books, including Kiss Good Night, When Jessie Came Across the Sea, On the Night of the Shooting Star, Buster and the Baby, and Are You Sure, Mother Bear? Amy Hest lives in New York City.

Kady MacDonald Denton is the illustrator of numerous books for children, including Billy and Rose: Forever Friends, the Bear and Mouse books by Bonny Becker, and Two Homes by Claire Masurel. Kady MacDonald Denton lives in Ontario.