A lively story about Billy Jones, the pet dog of a family of talented performers, who finally finds stardom himself; for readers aged 7-9 years. 12 black-and-white illustrations.

Stori fywiog am Billy Jones, ci anwes teulu o berfformwyr dawnus, sy'n canfod ei fod yntau hefyd yn seren; i ddarllenwyr 7-9 oed. 12 llun du-a-gwyn.

Billy Jones finds his own special way of being a star in this heart-warming canine romp. Dad, Mam, Tom and Catrin Jones are all talented eisteddfod performers, although Emma, the youngest child and Billy’s special friend, has stopped singing since they moved next door to cantankerous Mrs Batley.

Billy’s hilarious audition for the part of Ruffles in a production of Cinderella is set against Emma’s anxiety about relations with their neighbour. Her gestures of friendship seem doomed until Billy performs an act of heroism which softens Mrs Batley’s heart. His quick reactions stem from alertness and exuberance, the same qualities which had caused mayhem in his audition, and alienated Mrs Batley. Emma excludes herself from Billy’s bid for stage stardom and only starts to sing again when the emotional tensions are resolved.

Siân Lewis’s gentle story for 7 to 9 year olds is a sensitive blend of humour and pathos.

Viv Sayer

It is possible to use this review for promotional purposes, but the following acknowledgment should be included: A review from www.gwales.com, with the permission of the Welsh Books Council.

Gellir defnyddio’r adolygiad hwn at bwrpas hybu, ond gofynnir i chi gynnwys y gydnabyddiaeth ganlynol: Adolygiad oddi ar www.gwales.com, trwy ganiatâd Cyngor Llyfrau Cymru.