title: Billy Beg and His Bull: An Irish Tale
author:  Ellin Greene 
description: Grade 2-4-A lively retelling of a popular Irish tale found in many anthologies, including Virginia Haviland's Favorite Fairy Tales Told in Ireland (Little, 1961; o.p.). Billy Beg's mother gives him a magical bull calf just before she dies. When his stepmother tries, through guile, to rid herself of the bull and of Billy, the two escape. The bull gives the young man a magical napkin that provides food when unfolded, a stick that turns into a sword, and a belt that makes him invincible. After a series of adventures in which Billy slays giants with multiple heads and saves a damsel from a dragon, he loses a shoe. A la Cinderella, the princess declares that she will marry the man who fits it, and once reunited, the couple "live happy and well from that day to this." The colloquial language patterns convey the folk roots of the story without overwhelming readers with an Irish brogue. The watercolor illustrations are wonderfully energetic and perfect for all the fight scenes. They also manage, through color and details, to express emotion and foreshadowing. The text is a wee bit long for preschoolers, but primary-age children will enjoy hearing and reading this rousing tale.<br /><i>Karen K. Radtke, Milwaukee Public Library</i><br />Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.
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  ![001](../Images/king_9781101138052_oeb_001_r1.jpg)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  **Curse of the Old Gypsy Man** . . .
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  _**THINNER**_
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Billy Halleck, good husband, loving father, is both beneficiary and victim of
  the American Good Life: he has an expensive home, a nice family, and a
  rewarding career as a lawyer. But he is also fifty pounds overweight and, as
  his doctor keeps reminding him, heading into heart attack country.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
    
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Then, in a moment of carelessness, Billy sideswipes an old gypsy woman as she
  is crossing the street—and her ancient father passes a bizarre and terrible
  judgment on him.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
    
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  “Thinner,” the old gypsy man whispers, and caresses his cheeks like a lover.
  Just one word . . . but six weeks later and ninety-three pounds lighter, Billy
  Halleck is more than worried. He’s terrified. And desperate enough for one
  last gamble . . . that will lead him to a nightmare showdown with the forces
  of evil melting hi