In quasi-comic-book format complete with dialogue in balloons, Billy and Belle is a gently humorous story featuring a modern mixed-race family on an important day. Little Billy and Belle can't wait for Mum to have her baby: Belle already knows how to give a newborn a bottle, and Billy's set to share his pet hamster with a new brother or sister. When Mum goes to the hospital, the kids go off to school for Pet Day (hamster and pet spider in tow) and a little unlooked-for excitement, as all the pets get loose. The family's love and community's support are charmingly portrayed in Sarah Garland's colourful artwork.

 

There are 32 pages in this book. This is a picture book. A picture book uses pictures and text to tell the story. The number of words varies from zero ('wordless') to around 1k over 32 pages. Picture books are typically aimed at young readers (age 3-6) but can also be aimed at older children (7+). This book was published 2004 by Frances Lincoln Publishers Ltd .

Sarah Garland is a well-known creator of children's books, best known for her Coming and Going series of books for Puffin, which is still popular since its first title was published in 1982. Sarah lives in the Cotswolds with her family.