Willie Wins

By Almira A. Gilles, Carl Angel
Paperback: $10.95

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.

Description

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?

About the Creators

Almira A. Gilles
Almira A. Gilles

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

Carl Angel is a visual artist who enjoys participating in the creation of narrative media--whether it is illustration, design, or independent films. He has illustrated, designed, and art directed numerous books for young readers, including Lakas and the Manilatown Fish, Willie Wins, and Xochitl and the Flowers / Xóchitl, la Niña de las Flores, among others. He lives with his wife and son in Burbank, California. Visit his site at carlangel.com

Awards

  • Best Children's Books of the Year

    Bank Street College of Education

Reviews

  • "There's a real story here with tension and surprise, and Angel's bright acrylic paintings show the father-son bond close-up."

    - Booklist
  • "A tender but vital tribute to a father's love and a son's faith . . . . An understated pearl of a story...with two affecting characterizations and an exemplary bond of love."

    - Kirkus Reviews

Paperback

  • ISBN 9781600602375
  • Publication Date May 01, 2002
  • Trim Size 10 × 8 in
  • Weight 0.3125 lbs
  • Page Count 32
  • Word Count 1268
  • Hardcover

  • ISBN 9781584300236
  • Publication Date Apr 01, 2013
  • Trim Size N/A
  • Weight 0.4375 lbs
  • Page Count 32
  • Word Count 1268
  • Interests

  • Audience Children
  • BISAC Category 1 JUV / Social Themes / Peer Pressure
  • BISAC Category 2 JUV / People & Places / United States / Asian American
  • BISAC Category 3 JUV / Family / Parents
  • Themes Asian / Asian American / AAPI, Bullying, Childhood Experiences and Memories, Classroom Activities, Cultural Diversity, Economics / Finance, Education, Empathy / Compassion, Families, Fathers, Fiction, Games / Toys, Gratitude, Holidays / Traditions, Identity / Self Esteem / Confidence, Immigration, Poverty, Pride, Realistic Fiction, Self Control / Self Regulation, Similarities and Differences, Sports
  • Reading Levels

  • Age Range Ages 6 - 9
  • Grade Range Grades 1 - 4
  • Guided Reading O
  • ATOS Book Level 3.2
  • DRA 34
  • Interest Level Grades 1 - 4
  • Lexile Level 590
  • Reading Level Grades 2 - 3
  • SRC 3
  • Bebop Reading Fluent
  • This Book is Included in These Collections:

    • 32
      Asian/Asian American English PreK-2
      Collection of 32 books: $421.40

      190 in stock

    • 26
      English Guided Reading Level O
      Collection of 26 books: $285.40

      1029 in stock

    • 61
      English Fiction Grades PreK-2
      Collection of 61 books: $732.95