Billy and The Epic Escape is the exciting sequel to Jamie Oliver’s children’s debut, Billy and the Giant Adventure, both illustrated by Mónica Armiño. I haven’t read the first book, but it was pretty easy to up pick the story.
Billy and the Epic Escape follows our main character, Billy, and his friends, Anna, Jimmy and Andy, as they look forward to all the adventures they can get to over summer in Waterfall Woods. They plan to discover more about the magical creatures who live there and the Rhythm of nature that keeps their world, and ours, in balance.
With lots of action and drama, the woods come under attack from a mysterious red lady. Billy, Anna, Jimmy and Andy rush to the rescue. During the rescue they form alliances with new friends and meet up with some old friends. They learn how to fight robots and discover the identity of Scary Red. Can the friends save everyone, uncover the truth and keep the Rhythm safe? You’ll have to read it yourself to find out!
The fantastically-thrilling, magical adventure is framed by a prologue and epilogue that explain that the story is being told as a bedtime story by a father to his children. This framing device does make some of the text a bit didactic, but I think it fits, since Jamie Oliver says in his Thank You at the end of the book, “I want this book to not just be a rip-roaring ride – which it absolutely is! – but also to help teach young people some lessons I’ve learned in my life.’
Jamie Oliver is well known for his cooking, so anything written by him was sure to include lots of details about the food the friends encounter along the way. This book did make me want to snack while I was reading! There are also recipes based on meals in the story, located at the end of the book.
The illustrations, by Mónica Armiño, add a splash of whimsy to every few pages. Mónica’s characters show detailed expressions and setting which really adds to the story.
Billy and The Epic Escape offers themes of adventure and exploration, courage and perseverance, teamwork and friendship, along with the classic struggle between good and evil.
This book would be enjoyed by readers 10 and older, as well as readers who like fantastical adventure, giants, food, nature and magic. It may also be enjoyed by younger readers as a bedtime story and is targeted at readers aged 8-12.
Billy and The Epic Escape is the exciting sequel to Jamie Oliver’s children’s debut, Billy and the Giant Adventure, both illustrated by Mónica Armiño. I haven’t read the first book, but it was pretty easy to up pick the story.
