The Treasure Hunt
Announced on December 8,1997
About the BookDear Parent:
One of the rewards of being a parent is seeing your children make discoveries about their unique personalities, interests, and talents. Everyone treasures those special moments when a child's face lights up with a flash of insight.
Such a discovery—"I like the saxophone," "I've got a good sense of humor"—can spark a vocation or hobby that becomes a lifelong source of pleasure, especially when a child has a parent's support.
One way you can inspire your child is by encouraging her to explore a variety of activities—and by respecting her preferences even when she makes surprising choices. You should also take advantage of unplanned opportunities. As The Treasure Hunt illustrates, children often learn about themselves through interactions with others.
In this story, Little Bill is stuck at home on a rainy day. His father and brother both have hobbies they enjoy, listening to jazz and collecting baseball cards, but Little Bill isn't interested. Feeling lonely and bored, he retreats to his cluttered room, but he can't find anything to amuse himself with.
Great-grandmother walks in and saves the day. A wise and sensitive woman, she coaxes Little Bill to tell her a story. He makes up a wonderful tale about "something" that did "nothing," he calls it "no big thing," something special of his own after all: he's not only a good storyteller, he can make people laugh. You can tell this "treasure" is going to become a big part of his life.
It is gratifying to watch a child's sense of pride grow by leaps and bounds as he gains a sense of mastery using new skills.
Keep on, Little Bill!
Alvin F. Poussaint, MD
Clinical Professor of Psychiatry
Harvard Medical School and
Judge Baker Children's center
Boston, MA
About the Author
Bill Cosby is one of America's best-loved storytellers, known for his work as a comedian, actor, and producer. Bill Cosby, who grew up in a Philadelphia ghetto and has a Masters Degree and Doctorate in Education from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, is one of the most prominent and influential men in America today. His honest, heartfelt and humorous perceptions of the everyday world have been the basis for his success. His books for adults include Fatherhood, Time Flies, Love and Marriage and Childhood. He lives in New York, New York.
About the Illustrator
Varnette P. Honeywood, a graduate of Spelman College and the University of Southern California, is a Los Angeles-based impressive genre painter. Her work is included in many collections throughout the United States, Japan and Africa and has appeared on adult trade book jackets and in a children's book, Shake It to the One That You Love the Best.
Bill Cosby is one of America's best-loved storytellers, known for his work as a comedian, actor, and producer. Bill Cosby, who grew up in a Philadelphia ghetto and has a Masters Degree and Doctorate in Education from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, is one of the most prominent and influential men in America today. His honest, heartfelt and humorous perceptions of the everyday world have been the basis for his success. His books for adults include Fatherhood, Time Flies, Love and Marriage and Childhood. He lives in New York, New York.
About the Illustrator
Varnette P. Honeywood, a graduate of Spelman College and the University of Southern California, is a Los Angeles-based impressive genre painter. Her work is included in many collections throughout the United States, Japan and Africa and has appeared on adult trade book jackets and in a children's book, Shake It to the One That You Love the Best.
Book Reviews
"Children and parents can relate to the realistic tone of the stories."
— Sandra Draper, Orange County Register
"There's a vulnerable commonality to Little Bill that many young readers will warm to."
— Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
"Cosby has a good grasp of the issues and how the world looks through children's eyes. The primarily African-American characters also make these books welcome additions to the easy-reader collections."
— Dina Sherman, Brooklyn Children's Museum, NY
"The books' story line and dialog is candid and rings true, while the bold, expressively colored illustrations by Varnette P. Honeywood help keep the reader's interest."
— Commercial Appeal
"Children and parents can relate to the realistic tone of the stories."
— Sandra Draper, Orange County Register
"There's a vulnerable commonality to Little Bill that many young readers will warm to."
— Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
"Cosby has a good grasp of the issues and how the world looks through children's eyes. The primarily African-American characters also make these books welcome additions to the easy-reader collections."
— Dina Sherman, Brooklyn Children's Museum, NY
"The books' story line and dialog is candid and rings true, while the bold, expressively colored illustrations by Varnette P. Honeywood help keep the reader's interest."
— Commercial Appeal
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