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Bill and Pete
Bill and Pete Go Down the Nile
It's a new school year, as William Everett Crocodile and his trusty friend and toothbrush, Pete, prepare for a class trip down the Nile.
They're ready for the mysterious Sphinx. They're ready for mummies and pyramids. Their teacher, Ms. Ibis, has even promised them a glimpse of the priceless jewel called "the Sacred Eye of Isis." But are Bill and Pete ready for the Bad Guy, up to his usual no-good tricks?
Come along on this fast-paced and funny adventure with Bill and Pete, and find out.
They're ready for the mysterious Sphinx. They're ready for mummies and pyramids. Their teacher, Ms. Ibis, has even promised them a glimpse of the priceless jewel called "the Sacred Eye of Isis." But are Bill and Pete ready for the Bad Guy, up to his usual no-good tricks?
Come along on this fast-paced and funny adventure with Bill and Pete, and find out.
32 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1987
4 people are currently reading
211 people want to read
About the author
Tomie dePaola
421 books875 followersTomie dePaola (pronounced Tommy da-POW-la) was best known for his books for children.
He had a five-decade writing and illustrating career during which he published more than 270 books, including 26 Fairmount Avenue, Strega Nona, and Meet the Barkers.
Tomie dePaola and his work have been recognized with the Caldecott Honor Award, the Newbery Honor Award, the Laura Ingalls Wilder Award, and the New Hampshire Governor's Arts Award of Living Treasure.
He had a five-decade writing and illustrating career during which he published more than 270 books, including 26 Fairmount Avenue, Strega Nona, and Meet the Barkers.
Tomie dePaola and his work have been recognized with the Caldecott Honor Award, the Newbery Honor Award, the Laura Ingalls Wilder Award, and the New Hampshire Governor's Arts Award of Living Treasure.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews
October 31, 2024
School Library Journal noted the liberal use of "happy colors" in this book: soothing shades of green, pink, blue and yellow. Bill and Pete Go Down the Nile did have an especially cheerful ambience, likely attributable to Tomie dePaola's color choices. Knowing his flair for the artistic, I'm certain this was no stroke of luck.
The story will be interesting to early readers, and is a good introduction to the writing and art of Tomie dePaola.
The story will be interesting to early readers, and is a good introduction to the writing and art of Tomie dePaola.
March 22, 2008
A bit dull (was it an early dePaola book I wonder?). This seems like it's two stories in one book. The first is how William (Bill) comes of age so that he can choose his own "tooth brush" and befriends Pete the bird. Then the author shifts gears completely when Bill and Pete save the other alligators from the man who was trapping them. I didn't really care for the illustrations either.
January 24, 2020
The story is not only told in the text but is integrated in the pictures. Egyptian content is rather minimal - no one is going to learn it from this book, but those who already know it will appreciate the references.
January 4, 2025
It doesn't get any better for a little kid than learning about the Nile River delta via a crocodile and his bird "toothbrush" - and don't forget about the infamous Bad Guy! We read the original last summer. Finding out that there was a sequel while we were covering Egypt was icing on the cake.
December 4, 2017
Genre: modern fantasy
Reading Level: elementary
This book told the story of an alligator and bird who go to school. One day there is a class field trip down the nile and they end up saving the day. You’ll have to read the hook to find out!
Reading Level: elementary
This book told the story of an alligator and bird who go to school. One day there is a class field trip down the nile and they end up saving the day. You’ll have to read the hook to find out!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 16, 2018
My kids (3 and 5) loved Bill and Pete, so of course they loved the sequel in which Bill (the Nile crocodile) and his toothbrush Pete (a bird) go on a class trip down the Nile and learn about Egyptian history - and once more encounter the Bad Guy!
October 31, 2024
Bill the alligator, and Pete - a bird who is his toothbrush - go on a class trip down the Nile. They see wondrous things and discover a bad guy making trouble at a museum. Bill and Pete have to get involved! Fun illustrations.
October 10, 2010
uncharacteristically for dePaola, this reads like a Babar story. but in a good way.
November 14, 2011
I feel thi was not superbly creative or well written
October 31, 2024
Believe it or not, I don't have a Halloween book for Halloween. Most of them are on order. This is the closest thing I have. It is about crocodiles and the birds that clean their teeth. We learn about the Nile and Egypt as we go to school with them.
We learn about Mummies and pharaoh's on their field trip and the cursed Isis diamond. That's the closest thing to Halloween I could have.
There is a bad guy in the story who is trying to steal the diamond. The book is very silly. Let's say that toilet paper is very strong and can stop a grown man. It's cute though. It's certainly a different story Tomie is telling.
Tomie's artwork is bright and soft. I love all the pinks and blues he uses. The crocodiles take a trip up the nile. Tomie is always putting in little jokes. I appreciate them. Not Tomie's best, but pretty decent.
Happy Halloween
We learn about Mummies and pharaoh's on their field trip and the cursed Isis diamond. That's the closest thing to Halloween I could have.
There is a bad guy in the story who is trying to steal the diamond. The book is very silly. Let's say that toilet paper is very strong and can stop a grown man. It's cute though. It's certainly a different story Tomie is telling.
Tomie's artwork is bright and soft. I love all the pinks and blues he uses. The crocodiles take a trip up the nile. Tomie is always putting in little jokes. I appreciate them. Not Tomie's best, but pretty decent.
Happy Halloween
November 20, 2023
When you are a crocodile, a field trip to see the pyramids means you take your toothbrush along. So, Bill and his class float on down the Nile with their bird buddies on their backs and their teacher, Ms. Ibis, leading the way. Kids will learn a bit about Egypt and the heartwarming partnership between crocodiles and their plover buddies. One of my favorites from dePaola! 🐊
November 22, 2017
Not the most amazing picture book we've read about Egypt but since it wasn't the first we had fun recognizing things that we already discussed. Also, do birds really clean the teeth of alligators?
March 29, 2018
"I like how the crocodile stopped the bad guy." Eldon
"I like how the crocodiles called the birds their toothbrushes." everyone
"I like how the crocodiles called the birds their toothbrushes." everyone
August 20, 2018
I felt like our book was missing pages. Such a random, disjointed story.
November 15, 2020
This is actually my favorite Bill and Pete book just darling, so precious. Check it out.
October 24, 2021
The sphinx!
December 28, 2021
I have read this book to my children, my students, and now my grandchildren. They love the story with the bare butt as a highlight and always worth a few minutes of laughing. A true family favorite.
January 19, 2022
Not sure how I missed this but very glad to read and share with grands.
April 16, 2022
Love love love this book. It was so cute. The preK kids loved it.
January 24, 2023
A bit dated in its representation.
September 7, 2023
Not exactly educational...But if you've already studied some of Ancient Egypt, you'd pick up on some of the references. It wasn't dePaola's best book by any means.
November 8, 2023
This was one of my favorite books growing up. I love the illustrations!
August 23, 2024
peak childhood
August 25, 2024
I love the illustrations in dePaola's books
A brief look at Egyptian history.
A brief look at Egyptian history.
February 5, 2025
Lochlan and I LOVE all these Bill and Pete's books, especially this one.
May 4, 2025
This series is fantastic. Bill and Pete go to school and learn from Mrs. Ibis. They learn all about the history of Egypt where they live, and then they go on a field trip with unexpected happenings.
September 19, 2023
I enjoy reading this book with my kids when we talk about Ancient Egypt. The historical information is given in tiny bites that are good for the younger crowd.
October 13, 2010
Since the Skippy Jon Jones in Mummy Trouble took the entire story time during my first event, I modified my program during the second event to begin with this old stand-by by Tomie dePaola (de-POW-la). It is long, but not quite as long and easier to shorten.
A fun song to do after this story is The Crocodile Song...
She sailed away (move one arm in front of you in a wave-like motion)
On a happy summer's day (outline a smile on your face with index finger)
On the back of a crocodile (move your arms to imitate a croc's jaws)
"You see," (point to eye)
said she (curtsy)
"he's as tame as can be-- (pet the back of one hand with the other)
I'll ride him down the Nile." (with your index & middle fingers, pretend to ride your other hand)
The croc winked his eye (wink & point to eye)
As she bade them all good-bye (wave good-bye)
Wearing a happy smile. (outline a smile on your face with index finger)
At the end of the ride (with your index & middle fingers, pretend to ride other hand)
The lady (curtsy)
was inside (rub your stomach)
And the smile (outline a smile on your face with index finger)
Was on the crocodile! (move your arms to imitate a crocodile's jaws)
A fun song to do after this story is The Crocodile Song...
She sailed away (move one arm in front of you in a wave-like motion)
On a happy summer's day (outline a smile on your face with index finger)
On the back of a crocodile (move your arms to imitate a croc's jaws)
"You see," (point to eye)
said she (curtsy)
"he's as tame as can be-- (pet the back of one hand with the other)
I'll ride him down the Nile." (with your index & middle fingers, pretend to ride your other hand)
The croc winked his eye (wink & point to eye)
As she bade them all good-bye (wave good-bye)
Wearing a happy smile. (outline a smile on your face with index finger)
At the end of the ride (with your index & middle fingers, pretend to ride other hand)
The lady (curtsy)
was inside (rub your stomach)
And the smile (outline a smile on your face with index finger)
Was on the crocodile! (move your arms to imitate a crocodile's jaws)
February 12, 2017
My 8 year old gave it 5 stars because he really enjoyed the story
March 4, 2011
We love 's books and so when I find one on the library shelf that we haven't read before (which isn't too hard - he's written a lot of books!), I like to get it. His stories have a lot of variety and this one takes us to Egypt. It's a fun tale that tells about some of the more famous historical landmarks as well as a little about ancient Egypt. There is an appearance by the Bad Guy. We aren't that familiar with this character and hope to see more in other Bill and Pete books...so back to the library we go!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews
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