James M. BallAuthor

Coming soon · Ages 3–5

Billy's Learning Adventures · Book One

Billy and the
Racing Horse

Written by James Ball

Billy meets a horse on his walk to school. Day by day, they become friends. Then Billy returns with his blue bicycle and an invitation: a race all the way along the fence to the red barn.

A warm story to read together, with colors to find, things to count, and questions that let little listeners tell the story in their own words.

Read a few pages Explore the activities
Billy and the Racing Horse by James Ball book cover
Ages 3–5For reading together
32 pagesIllustrated in full color
Beyond the storyColors, counting, and conversation

A few moments from the story

Read with Billy.

From a friendly pat to a very close finish, here are six pages to share.

Page 4Billy walks toward school on the road outside the white pasture fence, with his home to the left and the red barn ahead to the right.
Billy lived down the road from the red barn. Each morning, he walked past the pasture and barn toward school. His green backpack bounced.
Page 16Billy gently pets his horse friend across the white pasture fence.
Billy stopped and gently patted the horse's warm nose. The horse leaned closer.
Page 19The horse rises onto its back legs as Billy pedals into an early lead toward the barn.
"Ready... set... GO!" The horse lifted its front legs and balanced on its back legs. Billy pedaled into an early lead.
Page 23The horse reaches the finish beside the closed barn gate just ahead of Billy, winning by a nose.
At the last fence post beside the closed barn gate, a beige nose reached the finish first. The horse had won - by a nose!
Page 24Billy stays seated on his blue bicycle as he slides to a stop beside the red barn.
Billy squeezed his brakes and slid to a stop beside the barn. "You won!" he laughed. "You are fast!"
Page 27Billy cycles home to the left at sunset while the horse stamps a hoof beside the barn.
"Tomorrow?" Billy called as he pedaled home down the same road. The horse stamped once. Billy smiled. Tomorrow, they would race again.

After the story

Find, count, and tell.

The book ends with playful activities. Here are some to try together using the pictures above.

Look and point

Billy's Color Hunt

Can you find each color? Point to each one as you find it.

  • Red barn
  • Green grass
  • Beige horse
  • Yellow helmet
  • Blue bicycle
  • Red sneakers
  • White diamond
  • Dark-brown mane

Count aloud

Let's Count!

  • How many wheels are on Billy's bicycle?
  • How many legs does the horse have?
  • How many children were in the race?
  • How many horses raced Billy?

For younger listeners

Point and Tell

Ask one or two questions and let your child point.

  • Who waited beside the lane?
  • What color was the barn?
  • What color was Billy's bicycle?
  • Who reached the last fence post first?

For ages 4 and 5

Think and Tell

Answer in a sentence, or tell the story in your own words.

  • How did Billy and the horse become friends?
  • Why was Billy ahead at the start of the race?
  • Where did their race finish?
  • How did Billy react when the horse won?
  • What do you think they will do tomorrow?

For parents and grandparents

Make it a moment together.

Read once for the story. On another reading, notice the colors, count what you see, and ask a question or two. Give your child time to point, wonder, and answer. Keep it playful.

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