Billy's Bucket

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You are constantly wondering where this story is going, and whether or not Billy’s parents will ever believe him about the world of nature that is living inside his bucket. The idea of Billy’s bucket can be used during carpet time to get the children imagining what they might possibly see in Billy’s bucket. Billy’s Bucket illustrates the pleasure that comes from imaginative play and helps develop creative, playful minds. When Billy brings the bucket home, he describes all the sea life that he observes swimming around inside. During our English lessons, we thought about what we would like inside our magic bucket, we identified features of an invitation and wrote our own birthday party invitations.

Billy’s parents are sceptical and are left shocked and surprised one morning after his dad borrows the bucket to wash his car. After discussing the things to do in South Shields, we created a mind map featuring attractions and facts. When Billy fills his bucket with water, it sets in motion mystical forces that defy the laws of nature. It is even a very fun book for adults to read, as it really arouses your curiosity the very first time that you read it. But Mum and Dad are sceptical and, when Dad unwittingly uses the bucket to clean his car, he's in for a big surprise!In the same way as the game I went to market and I bought adds a new item with each turn play ‘In Billy’s bucket there was’ with children. I, for one know that many early years teachers have read this book aloud to nursery, reception and year one children, and they have all absolutely loved it. He sees many different sea animals at the bottom of his bucket, whilst his parents laugh away at what he's describing.

Billy’s imagination led him into a magical ocean adventure where he found all sorts of sea creatures. Anyone would think that Billy is just using his imagination once they hear what he says is in the bucket but he is actually telling the truth! This is a classic 'low thresh-hold, high ceiling' book which can be used as a basis to form many activities - from arts and craft such as filling their own bucket, to deeper discussion delving around the need to accumulate the more typical 'stuff'. The story of course, subtly is reinforcing to children that they do not have to necessarily be materialistic to have good play!

Re read the book encouraging children to join in with some of the things Billy says such as ‘You must never ever borrow my bucket. I read a very funny review about this book, whereby a parent wrote that children can learn disastrous things can happen when people do not listen to what they have been told, just like Billy telling his parents never to use his bucket. It’s great if you have plastic ocean creatures but other small plastic toys would be fun as well, after all it is a magic bucket! This is when the ‘magic’ happens; every time Billy peers into his bucket he sees a variety of magical watery worlds. This week, Year 1 have read the story ‘Billy’s Bucket’ and thought about the seaside in our Geography topic.

If read aloud to a group, I really feel that it will breathe animation to the words on the pages of the book.

Whilst reading the book we transcend into Billy's world, which is a great one that children will love being a part of. The premise of the story (a young boy wanting a bucket for his birthday) captivates the reader, and it keeps us right up until the end. This books is brilliant in getting children to use their imagination and seeing what they can find in their own bucket.