Reviewed by Jack Magnus for Readers' Favorite

Billy Has A Birthday: Bullying: Billy Growing Up, Volume 1 is a children’s social issues-related story written by James Minter and illustrated by Helen Rushworth. Billy would get pretty excited whenever he thought about his upcoming birthday, which was only a week away. It was really quite a special one -- Billy would be 10 years old on the 10th day of the 10th month. He was going to have a party that afternoon, and had been given permission to invite six of his friends. Max, his friend Ant’s little sister, was also coming as she was really a friend as well. Billy’s golden retriever, Jacko, seemed to be interested as Billy told him about the party and the presents he hoped to be getting, but what Jacko really wanted was to go for a walk with his pal. When his birthday finally arrived, Billy couldn’t wait to see if his grandfather’s card was in the mail. Billy had asked his granddad for money, so he could pick out his own present. He did receive the card he expected, but no money was enclosed. Swallowing his disappointment, Billy was enjoying the party with his friends when suddenly The Great Magisco arrived to put on a magic show. The Magisco was really Granddad, but he put on a great magic act with impressive tricks including turning the playing card Billy had selected into a twenty-pound note. When a bully forced Billy to give up his present, Billy was angry and frustrated, but he felt powerless to do anything about it. Billy especially didn’t want Granddad to know he'd lost the money.

James Minter’s children’s social issues story, Billy Has A Birthday, addresses a very serious issue that affects the lives of far too many children and adults alike. Bullies take pleasure in making others’ lives miserable, and many kids have no idea how or if they can get help. Most kids don’t want to confide in a parent or an adult at school as it would be telling, but, as Max shows, it’s actually the best way of dealing with this kind of troublesome issue. No one is angry at Billy for losing his money, and Eddy, who’s got a history of being trouble, has to answer for his deeds. Helen Rushworth’s illustrations are marvelous! They bring Billy, Jacko, Granddad and the rest of the kids we get to know in this story to life. I especially loved the panels showing Billy and Jacko, his dog, and those with his ever-smiling Granddad. Bullying can make school and play miserable, and this book is a great way to teach kids that bullying is unacceptable and can be fixed -- if you let someone know about the problem. Billy Has A Birthday: Bullying: Billy Growing Up, Volume 1 is most highly recommended.