$13.56 (Hardcover)
Willie Wins 
By Almira Astudillo Gilles
Illustrated by Carl Angel
9781584300236
Willie is having a rough day. He has already struck out in a Little League game, and now he must find a savings bank for a contest at school — by tomorrow! Dad has just the answer. It's an alkansiya, a bank made out of a coconut shell from the Philippines, where Dad grew up. He's been saving it for Willie because of a surprise inside, a treasure Dad got when he was a boy.
Willie reluctantly takes the bank to school, knowing he will be teased by his classmates for having such an unusual bank. In the weeks that follow, Willie works hard at saving his play money to win the contest. But as he works he also wonders, what will the surprise in his bank be? Is it really something special?
In this heart-warming story, a boy gets beyond peer pressure and comes to appreciate the depth of his father’s love. First-time author Almira Astudillo Gilles teams up with artist Carl Angel to create an inspiring and suspenseful story. Young readers will be cheering for Willie all the way.
- Awards
-
Children's Books of the Year
Bank Street College
- Interest Level
- Grades 1 - 4
- Reading Level
- Grades 2 - 3
- Themes
- Asian/Asian American Interest, Bullying, Fathers, Self Esteem/Identity, Sports, Poverty
- Accelerated Reader
- Level: 3.2
Points: .5
Almira Astudillo Gilles writes fiction, poetry, plays, and essays for children, young adults, and adults. A native of the Philippines, she came to the United States for graduate study. Willie Wins was Gilles' first book for young readers. She lives in Palatine, Illinois, with her husband and thier children.
Carl Angel is the illustrator of several picture books for children. A Filipino American who grew up in Honolulu, Angel's artwork has been exhibited throughout the San Francisco area and Hawai'i. He and his wife live in Sna Leandro, CA










