Picture Book Review: Walter and the Wallet by Billy Bloom

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. 

Walter and the Wallet

by Billy Bloom

Illustrated by: Tanya Leonello

Publisher: Eifrig Publishing

Publication Date: June 15, 2017

Length: 36 pages

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Synopsis: 

Walter Whippingdale is having the worst day of his life. The girl he likes is making googly eyes at another boy in his class. He struck out during recess. He broke his favorite watch. A giant pimple appeared on his nose. And to top it off, he somehow managed to get mustard in his eye at lunch! Walking home from school, his head is hanging low. Which is precisely how Walter spots a wallet lying in the street...a wallet bursting with cash. Suddenly, his terrible day is about to change. But how?

In a lovely, lyrical tale full of life lessons, first-time children's author Billy Bloom has created a rhyming gem of a character development book. Accompanied by Tanya Leonello's beautiful illustrations, you'll be drawn in to this wonderful litlting story of childhood morality. Perfect for elementary school value-building. 

My Thoughts:

After a long day filled with nothing but bad luck, a wonderful thing happened to Walter Whippingdale. A thickly stuffed wallet cures his woes as he imagines what he could possibly do with all of that money! But when Walter sees an older man just as upset as he had been before finding the wallet, he knows exactly what he must do. 

This is such a wonderful, heartwarming story with a great message. Walter learns that sometimes, even if you are having a horrible day, cheering others up will brighten your day in return. This story will help children learn about selflessness and doing right by others. Walter and the Wallet has a very straightforward moral but it is told in a fun, engaging way that helps us see the best choice to be made in this particular predicament. 

The illustrations remind me so much of Quentin Blake's art while still being lovely and unique. The coloring starts out quite muted to reflect the downtrodden Walter, but there are splashes of color and as the story progresses they seem to get brighter. I think the illustrator did a fantastic job at portraying Walter's and the old man's emotions as well as the overall mood of the story.