The Best Way to Play: A Little Bill Book for Beginning Readers, Level 3 (Oprah's Book Club)

He and the neighborhood kids are watching TV when they see an ad for a Space Explorers video game that instantly infuses desperate longing into their alien-catching little hearts. When Little Bill's friend Andrew gets a copy, everyone is thrilled. However, after quickly catching 100 aliens and getting perfect scores, the kids are bored with the game. They head for their trusty vacant lot where they chase an alien that looks like a cat and proceed to fly all the way to the moon! (Or at least they pretend to.) When Little Bill confesses to his mom that it was more fun to play outside than with the game, she says, "I'm glad. Now go to sleep. Space Explorers need their rest." While the engaging, upbeat story itself escapes heavy-handedness, the message is clear, clear, clear. Varnette P. Honeywood's flat, boldly colorful illustrations are full of life and expression, and early readers will welcome the spacious format, with large type and only a few short sentences on every page. (Ages 5 to 8)

Product Description

The point of this Little Bill Book for Beginning Readers, which is illustrated by Varnette P. Honeywood, is that Little Bill and his friends already had a great way of having fun without the new video game when they were waiting for "Space Explorers" to start and were imagining that they had their own space ship sailing through the galaxy. In his introductory letter to parents child psychiatry specialist Dr. Alvin Pouissant points out that using "television as a springboard for creative play" is a great way for children to develop their imaginations and to benefit from physical activity.

Bill Cosby's story also has a message about advertising hype that notes how the actual product is often disappointing. However, this particular point may well be the weak point in Cosby's argument. The "Space Explorers" video game is apparently easy enough that Little Bill and his friends can all get perfect scores. I am sure there are video games out there combine the twin sins of being expensive and not challenging, but my experience with such games has been that they can be the latter without being the former. It seems to me that many of the most popular video games are so challenging that you have to spend additional money to pick up a guidebook that teaches you how to get to the next level. Consequently, the potency of Cosby's argument in "The Best Way to Play" might hinge on the actual experience of beginning readers with video games in the real world.


The Best Way to Play is the best!   May 22, 2000
2 out of 4 found this review helpful

Little Bill & his friends want the new Space Explorersvideo game! Their parents won't buy it so how can Little Bill &his friends have fun without it? Written by America's most beloved comedian & storyteller, Little Bill Books value of friendships & family. They encourage children to solve problems fairly & creatively...


My 4 1/2 year old LOVES it !   January 22, 2000
D.R.E. (Durham, North Carolina)
6 out of 7 found this review helpful

For the first time, my son has truly enjoyed story time/reading. I can't explain it, but he just adores these Little Bill books. We have tried EVERYTHING to get him interested in reading and listening to stories. Maybe a 4 1/2 yr. old can simply relate! We all like the values being taught as well as the illustrations. It is a real joy to see and hear our son "read" us Little Bill stories. What a blessing these stories/books have been to our family. Thank you Bill and Varnette!