Review: The real meaning of Hero
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 09 11, 2013
Dustin Ross continues his very successful set of books with Billy the Goat adventures in learning valuable lessons. The stories are smart, well written and beautifully illustrated. Children will relate to the story and the lesson very well.Billy the Goat and his friends have been playing firemen all day, each wanting to be the hero that saves the day, but at the dinner table Billy's parents think Billy should see just what firemen do rather than just being `heroes that save the day', so they arrange for a trip to the fire station the next day to observe what firemen really do.  Billy meets Charlie the Chimp who is a fireman and explains that firemen must always be ready  - for emergencies, not only for fires, but for people who are sick and need hospital transportation. Charlie gives Billy a tour of the fire station, lets him try on the full gear of a fireman, have lunch with all the firemen and hear all the stories the firemen have experienced, encourages Billy to slide down the firemen's pole even though the idea frightens him because of the height. Charlie admits he is afraid of clowns just like Billy is afraid of heights, surprising Billy since he thought heroes were not afraid of anything! Charlie explains that being a hero doesn't mean you're never scared but that despite fright, a hero must have courage to do the right thing. Billy returns home having learned that being scared doesn't mean he can't be a hero - now he knows from his experience what a real hero is.As with all of Dustin Ross' fine books for children, Billy The Goat Meets A Hero explores types of work and jobs so that children have a better idea of the adult world - and just happen to lean some valuable character lessons, too. Grady Harp, September 13