Bill has a terrible, unbearable, lousy beak-ache. He also happens to be a bowerbird: a type of bird that collects scraps to create elaborate color-sorted nests. So Bill turns to his friends the zebra, frog, yak, and others for objects that might help alleviate his ache. Nothing works. But as it turns out, the pain is from a new tooth! The ache goes away on its own.

This fun, wacky story about teething is told in playful cadence with rhyme and refrain. Artwork is deliberately childlike, stylized in bold, energetic colors just like a bowerbird’s eccentric nest design. A riot to read, this story also offers some wisdom on getting through tough times: patience, and a little help from your friends.

LEVELING
Grade Range: Pre-K–3
Fountas & Pinnell: K
Reading Recovery: 18
Lexile: AD 890L

COMMON CORE
L.2.1,1e,2,2c,2d,3,4,4a,4b,4c
W.2.1,2,3,5,6,8
SL.2.1,1b,1c,2,3,4,5,6
L.2.4d,5,5a,5b,6
RL.2.1,2,3,4,5,6,7,10
RF.2.3,3b,3c,3d,3e,4,4a,4b,4b