Tears over Billy

“I read a picture book called Billy by Kate De Goldi to my daughter a few nights ago, and one of my tear glands experienced a distinct tweak,” British award-winning novelist David Mitchell admits was the last time he cried in a Guardian Q&A. Billy: A Lolly Leopold Story is the story of Billy, a regular little boy trapped in a class of over-achievers on Pet & Produce Day. It is the second book in a series of three. Wellington-based De Goldi is also a short story writer, an author of young adult fiction and a writer of journalism pieces. The 1pm Question was shortlisted for and won the Young Adult section of the 29 New Zealand Post Book Awards.