The Ballad of Billy McFee

What does a bright young fish (Billy) do when he has the unusual dream of sailing a ship - but others scoff at his efforts? He dons a Captain's hat and doesn't let them get him down! He stays determined, works hard, and studies how to achieve his dream!

What if Billy learns his dream is too big to achieve by himself alone? Then he becomes a leader and builds a crew of diverse friends with unique talents who also believe in his dream!

And how does Billy and his crew stay motivated to tackle their huge goal? They sing a song, of course! Billy's positive ballad of determination and hope helps them stay synchronized and reminds them of their shared goal. This is the Ballad of Billy McFee! Billy 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. And some readers (especially the singers) may want to ignore all that and just sing the ballad, glancing at the pictures and turning 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!

How will YOU tell Billy's uplifting story? Some people read it like a rhyming story. Some people sing it to the tune of the Wellerman. Some people rap it to a hip hop beat. Some people make up their own tune.

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