Author(s): Nicholas Snelling; Glen Le Lievre (Illustrator)

Australian Creators | Picture Books | Australian Releases | Australian Rhyming Picture Books | February 2022 Primary | New Picture Books

BAREBUM BILLY is about a little boy who loves to strip off and run around nude in the most inappropriate of places - his snooty neighbours' manicured lawn, the supermarket, an art museum, the zoo, a golfing green, and even his local church! Billy's neurotic toy robot is horrified. His poor parents are embarrassed. Meanwhile, all sorts of conservative folk are fuming mad. But one day Billy meets someone special who helps turn his skill for streaking stark naked into a wonderful career.

Written (and directed) by Nicholas Snelling and illustrated by Glen Le Lievre, BAREBUM BILLY is a wild, satirical romp that brings to mind the likes of Roald Dahl, Julia Donaldson and Dr Suess, but with a few extra shots of red cordial.

BAREBUM BILLY has everything a future classic kids' book should have - the catchy, rhyming verses; hilarious illustrations; a feel-good closing message; and a happily ever after. It's also 'snort-drink-out-your-nostrils' funny and absolutely irreverent. It really is one of those rare books that every adult will love to read to young kids, as much as every kid loves to have it read to them.

BAREBUM BILLY is award-nominated children’s picture book is about a wild little kid called Billy Bottom who loves to strip off and run around starkers in the most inappropriate of places – his snooty neighbours’ manicured lawn, the supermarket, an art museum, the zoo, a golfing green, a cricket pitch, and even his local church!

Billy’s neurotic toy robot is absolutely horrified. His poor parents are embarrassed. Meanwhile, all sorts of conservative folk are fuming mad. But one day Billy meets someone special who helps turn his skill for streaking stark naked into a wonderful career.

Written by Nicholas Snelling and illustrated by Australia’s Political Cartoonist of the Year, Glen Le Lievre, BAREBUM BILLY has since been shortlisted for Australia’s prestigious Aurealis Awards for Children’s Fiction.

Beautifully illustrated and designed, and bound in superb hardcover, BAREBUM BILLY is a funny, irreverent romp that brings to mind the likes of Roald Dahl and Julia Donaldson, but with a few extra shots of red cordial. Kids adore the slapstick; adults guffaw at the satire.