The Ballad of Billy McFee: A sea shanty to read or sing

This is the funny and uplifting children's picture book that has all the clams talking - and everyone else singing to the viral tune of the Wellerman sea shanty!!!

Billy McFee is a colorful and resourceful young fish who dreams of sailing a ship that he found stuck in the muck at the bottom of the sea. Billy sees potential in the ship while everyone else swims right past. Billy struggles to free the ship while shrugging off negative comments from onlookers (a pair of naysayer clams). When Billy cannot move the ship by himself, he becomes a leader and builds a crew of diverse friends: a friendly shark, a big strong whale, and an intellectual crab. Billy and his friends sing as they work, just as sailors of yore sang to synchronize their efforts. But unlike many old sea shanties, the Ballad of Billy McFee is friendly to all sea creatures and is appropriate for people of all ages.

How will YOU tell the Ballad of Billy McFee?

The Ballad of Billy McFee is packed to the gills with character development, subplots, puns, and Easter eggs for young and old to find. For example, everyone in the story is on a journey of some kind - whether it be physical or mental, intended or unintended. Some readers will want to get out the magnifying glass and explore the covers of the books which the crab (Emma) reads on her journey of self-improvement. Others will want to follow the antics of the naysayer clams. Singers of the ballad, however, may wish to ignore the chatter of the naysayer clams (just as Billy does) so they can turn the pages to keep time with the rhythm. It's all good! There is no wrong way to read or sing the Ballad of Billy McFee. This book is all about celebrating our differences. Through our diversity, we are stronger together!

You can read it - you can sing it - whatever floats YOUR boat!