Billy Bramble and The Great Big Cook Off. Sally Donovan

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      Praise for Billy Bramble

      ‘Brilliant and thoughtful insight into the mind of an eleven-year-old and the wonderful power of cooking.’

      – Lorraine Pascale, TV Chef and Fostering Ambassador

      ‘An inspiring read which will encourage children to get cooking in order to make delicious food and also gain confidence in their own abilities.’

      – Jo Ingleby, BBC Cook of the Year 2015 and

       Chef in Residence at Redcliffe Children’s Centre

      ‘The book shows even if you are different you can achieve.’

      – Jordan, 14

      ‘I like the way Billy has an invisible dog. It is one of the best books I have read.’

      – Sophie, 13

      ‘Very nice writing. Next time try and use more adjectives.’

      – Mrs Penfolder, English teacher

      ‘I love Billy, he is funny and cool and awesome and I

       understand him. I think he was very brave for entering

       the competition. The story made me laugh a lot.’

      – JB

      ‘The story is good. It makes you want to read on.’

      – Adam, 12

      ‘I liked the character of Billy.’

      – Thomas, 13

      ‘Cluck cluck cluck peck cluck.’

      – Facebook the Chicken

      ‘Billy Bramble is a fantastic book. It gives you an insight

       into people who may struggle and how their surroundings

       can influence their behaviours and attitudes. Billy Bramble

       is a nice boy with an angry, imaginary dog.

       Together they battle with certain feelings. I believe everyone

       can learn something from this book, not least that

       through persisting, eventually, in spite

       of hardship, you can achieve.’

      – Coby, 12

      ‘Sally Donovan’s deeply felt story gives us a glimpse of how hard it is for Billy to keep trying and hoping that things might be different. This moving story encapsulates many key themes expressed by vulnerable children and paints a vivid picture of the seeming impossible dilemmas they may be facing. Compelling for children, this book will also be of great value to adults as through Billy they gain insight into the risks children face when they begin to dare to trust.’

      – Dr Vivien Norris, Consultant Clinical Psychologist

      ‘A uniquely original and loveable narrator – Billy Bramble draws you powerfully into his world. Sally Donovan presents the thoughts and hopes and dreams and disappointments of a child with great insight and sensitivity. She understands children, she gets into their hearts and into their minds

      and makes them come alive on the page. I can’t remember

      the last time I was so moved – and amused – by a child narrator. It will move you and make you laugh within

      the space of a few lines.’

      – Virginia Macgregor, author of What Milo Saw and The Astonishing Return of Norah Wells

      First published in 2016

      by Jessica Kingsley Publishers

      73 Collier Street

      London N1 9BE, UK

      and

      400 Market Street, Suite 400

      Philadelphia, PA 19106, USA

       www.jkp.com

      Copyright © Sally Donovan 2016

      Illustrations copyright © Kara McHale 2016

      All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any material form (including photocopying or storing it in any medium by electronic means and whether or not transiently or incidentally to some other use of this publication) without the written permission of the copyright owner except in accordance with the provisions of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 or under the terms of a licence issued by the Copyright Licensing Agency Ltd, Saffron House, 6–10 Kirby Street, London EC1N 8TS. Applications for the copyright owner’s written permission to reproduce any part of this publication should be addressed to the publisher.

      Warning: The doing of an unauthorised act in relation to a copyright work may result in both a civil claim for damages and criminal prosecution.

      Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data

      A CIP catalog record for this book is available from the Library of Congress

      British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data

      A CIP catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library

      ISBN 978 1 84905 663 2

      eISBN 978 1 78450 164 8

      BILLY BRAMBLE

      and

      THE

       GREAT

      BIG

      COOK OFF

      Sally Donovan

      Illustrated by Kara McHale

      Jessica Kingsley Publishers

       London and Philadelphia

      MY NAME IS

      BILLY BRAMBLE

      Let me introduce myself.

      My name is Billy Bramble and I should know because I hear it fifty thousand million times a day.

      Billy Bramble be quiet.

      Billy Bramble sit down.

      Billy Bramble sit still.

      Billy Bramble FOCUS.

      Billy Bramble STOP THAT RIGHT THIS MINUTE.

      Slow down Billy Bramble.

      Get on with it Billy Bramble.

      WALK Billy Bramble.

      STOP RUNNING Billy Bramble.

      Put that down Billy Bramble.

      That’s not nice Billy Bramble.

      Stop swinging on your chair Billy Bramble.

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