Billy Growing Up

Billy Has a Birthday is the first volume in the Billy Growing Up series. The story follows Billy, a young boy who turns 10 on the tenth October - 10, 10, 10 - a once in a lifetime occasion. Billy's excitement at his 'big' birthday perfectly captures that of a child who is bordering on adolescence - each birthday seems so much more important than the last, and the move from single to double figures is one of the greatest of all.

This is book two of the Billy Growing Up series written to help children form positive values that will serve them at this stage in their lives. Each book uses the power of traditional storytelling to illustrate, guide, and shape their understanding in a safe environment. In this book, we discuss pride. There are two different kinds of pride. The first is selfless and is based on a person's achievements and qualities. Being proud of how we look, being part of a team or of one's country is a feeling that comes from deep within us.

Using traditional storytelling, as well as providing an entertaining listen, this book discusses jealousy. Jealousy is based on wanting something for ourselves that someone else has. As children, we learn by making comparisons with others. Jealousy usually involves another person. Seeing them with something we want but do not have can lead us to harm and bring unhappiness to the other person at whatever cost. These emotions can also generate feelings of guilt and shame.

A lie is deliberately saying something that is not true that you want someone else to believe. Lies are told to protect ourselves or someone else from getting into trouble, to avoid punishment or embarrassment. Nearly everyone has told a "white" lie at some point, but lying becomes a problem when the person is compelled to frequently tell untruths. Lying then becomes a way of life.

Max knows that stealing is wrong but at first she justifies it to herself, and even acts as if she just forgot to pay for the item. But stealing at whatever level is a crime, and if we get caught there are serious consequences like fines or a prison sentence. Parents can teach their children that stealing is wrong by insisting they return whatever item they have taken and apologize to the owner.

Billy Field is given an opportunity to act in the school play, but he tells himself he can't do it. He convinces himself that he'll never learn all the lines. Feeling unsure and vulnerable, he thinks of all the ways he can get out of playing the part. Instead he becomes a member of the stage crew, and without even realizing it, he learns the lines, not only for the main part but all the other parts too. Following an accident befalling Ant Turner who is playing the lead role, the play might have to be cancelled.

Children, usually driven by peer-pressure, want the latest toys, electronics, and clothes, but have little understanding of the value of money or where it comes from. This is essential knowledge for later years. Billy wants a new skateboard and games controller, but doesn't understand why he can't have them bought for him. He doesn't pay anything towards other household costs, so why does he have to contribute to a toy?

Billy Field and Ant Turner are asked to keep a secret from Max Turner, Ant's sister, about her upcoming birthday present. What starts off as innocent fun ends up being nasty when Ant uses the secret to get his own back. When Billy accidentally damages his dad's new car, he makes a pact with Ant about keeping it a secret. This puts a burden on them both and nearly gets Eddy Jost into a lot of trouble. Does Max find out what her surprise birthday present is? Does Eddy get into more trouble? Will Billy own up? How does Ant cope with keeping secrets?