What do you think?
Rate this book
TiN
Tin is looking after his little sister Nickel one afternoon when she grabs hold of a balloon and floats away! Tin and his dog Zinc set off in hot pursuit as she floats towards the big city... Can they rescue Nickel before she goes too far?
32 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2014
2 people are currently reading
23 people want to read
About the author
Chris Judge
60 books15 followersChris Judge is the author-illustrator of The Lonely Beast, The Brave Beast, and The Snow Beast and the illustrator of the Danger Is Everywhere series by David O’Doherty. Chris Judge lives in Dublin.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
December 8, 2014
These robots aren't robotic enough! Drawing them like machines and giving them metallic names is not satisfactory enough for true robot fanatics (and boy howdy they are out there). They even had human snacks at the end! The story could be told the same way with snakes, hummingbirds or clipboards. I'm telling ya, you put a robot on the cover - you'd better deliver.
November 7, 2019
When the robot-like character, Tin, is left in charge of his little sister, Nickel, he finds that the job is far more challenging that he had first anticipated. Holding onto a passing red balloon (cleverly introduced in the initial endpaper), Nickel is swept away across her robot-run landscape and it is for Tin to save her before Mum gets back.
There is little obvious a storyline here but that’s fine. This is a landscape book which is there to provide a visual treat of a journey for the reader. We pass parades, fairgrounds and safari parks on our travels and it is these beautiful, geometric busy spreads that are really what the story is all about.
There is a nice pace throughout the story with soft, curved panels and eye-catching colours which are never too garish. Each page of the adventure invites close reading for that young reader and the book closes with another smart endpaper that will have the reader grinning.
There is little obvious a storyline here but that’s fine. This is a landscape book which is there to provide a visual treat of a journey for the reader. We pass parades, fairgrounds and safari parks on our travels and it is these beautiful, geometric busy spreads that are really what the story is all about.
There is a nice pace throughout the story with soft, curved panels and eye-catching colours which are never too garish. Each page of the adventure invites close reading for that young reader and the book closes with another smart endpaper that will have the reader grinning.
Read
January 10, 2016I could see this being used a lot of ways: movement, siblings, transportation and robots (of course).
July 11, 2022
It's not that the story is brilliant.. it's very simple. But maybe that's the greatness of this one: kids will dig it! Illustrations are adorable (also very simple) and colorful. I love the full page spread of the city inside. Definitely excited to share this one with Kinders.
August 14, 2018
Not sure if the kids will catch all of the "metals" jokes, but overall very cute!
September 26, 2021
cute but random
August 5, 2022
My 4 year old son loves this so much.
October 26, 2014
(There are pictures for this review here and one day I promise I'll be able to wrangle images on Goodreads but today is not that day).
A book which give me good endpapers is basically my literary equivalent of "You had me at hello." Good endpapers are a mark of clever work, work that revels in the nature of what it is and knows how to fully utilise that space. I mean, picture books are books that, perhaps more than most, have space to play in. You can do so much here. So much.
TiN by Chris Judge gives that. It's subtle work, as all the good stuff is, but it's rather lovely. In the opening endpapers, you can see a close up detail of this, this lovely clean landscape reminiscent of something from a colouring in book.
For me, there's something about that outline that is very universal. It is something we recognize because we've all done it. We've all drawn triangle boats. We've all drawn triangle trees and curly waves. That simple, almost flattening, of perspective is something very global to me. So in a way, I almost read past this image because I've seen it already and I am comfortable with it. I know how to read this image (and I love the quiet subtle placement of the spaceships, the way they blend in and almost take advantage of that familiarity).
But spaceships aside (ha!), there's something about this image that makes me pause and it's all about that bright red balloon racing off to the sky. There's something universal to that again, but look at how the moment's constructed. The balloon is coming from the heart of the book, right from the spin and it's leading us to a page turn. That balloon is begging us to turn the page.It's laden with cues, the bright contrast of colour - the red on blue and white and the way that every child, everywhere, since the dawn of time, knows what it's like to lose a balloon. There are images in this world which encapsulate story. Which are story, really, and this is one and it is brilliant.
Because it tells you everything: somebody has lost their balloon. And that balloon is going to be influential in what's to come.
And it does! Tin is asked to look after his younger sister Nickel, and it's not long before Nickel's suddenly up a tree and reaching out for that very same red balloon. She floats away and Tin has to go and bring her back. With the aid of his dog Zinc, the two of them go as fast as they can to catch up to Nickel who is moments from being carried off into the big city...
(Everyone's a robot, btw, did I mention that? I suspect I didn't. It's ace. Gives a lovely freshness and novelty to the tale. Anyway, enough of these parentheses. Carry on)
I had a few issues with the big double page spreads that come later in the book. They're a little bit confusing at first glance and I imagine could prove slightly intimidatory to the more nervous readers. They are beautiful, beautiful things but there's a lot going on in them. It's a little Where's Wally at times (which is no bad thing, it's just something to note) If you're reading these with somebody who is nervous, do take your time. It's worthwhile letting yourself dwell on the loveliness of these images, the Jetsons-esque styling and the tiny little narratives happening in nearly every breath on the page. Those colours! Those shapes!
So, after the necessary hijinks involving a parade of animals (figure four) and Nickel landing on the back of a "long-necked giraffe" and Tin and Zinc hitching a ride on "the back of a large, grey elephant", there is a final dash through a safari park until eventually Nickel is rescued by a safari ranger and they can all return home. Rather gloriously, Nickel is rewarded with a yellow balloon which .... well ... take a look...
This is such a lovely book. It's just lovely how it revels in its space and is so resolutely vivid and joyful. Many thanks to Andersen for letting me have a look at it. I really love what they do with their picture books and it's a pleasure to be able to wallow in them.
A book which give me good endpapers is basically my literary equivalent of "You had me at hello." Good endpapers are a mark of clever work, work that revels in the nature of what it is and knows how to fully utilise that space. I mean, picture books are books that, perhaps more than most, have space to play in. You can do so much here. So much.
TiN by Chris Judge gives that. It's subtle work, as all the good stuff is, but it's rather lovely. In the opening endpapers, you can see a close up detail of this, this lovely clean landscape reminiscent of something from a colouring in book.
For me, there's something about that outline that is very universal. It is something we recognize because we've all done it. We've all drawn triangle boats. We've all drawn triangle trees and curly waves. That simple, almost flattening, of perspective is something very global to me. So in a way, I almost read past this image because I've seen it already and I am comfortable with it. I know how to read this image (and I love the quiet subtle placement of the spaceships, the way they blend in and almost take advantage of that familiarity).
But spaceships aside (ha!), there's something about this image that makes me pause and it's all about that bright red balloon racing off to the sky. There's something universal to that again, but look at how the moment's constructed. The balloon is coming from the heart of the book, right from the spin and it's leading us to a page turn. That balloon is begging us to turn the page.It's laden with cues, the bright contrast of colour - the red on blue and white and the way that every child, everywhere, since the dawn of time, knows what it's like to lose a balloon. There are images in this world which encapsulate story. Which are story, really, and this is one and it is brilliant.
Because it tells you everything: somebody has lost their balloon. And that balloon is going to be influential in what's to come.
And it does! Tin is asked to look after his younger sister Nickel, and it's not long before Nickel's suddenly up a tree and reaching out for that very same red balloon. She floats away and Tin has to go and bring her back. With the aid of his dog Zinc, the two of them go as fast as they can to catch up to Nickel who is moments from being carried off into the big city...
(Everyone's a robot, btw, did I mention that? I suspect I didn't. It's ace. Gives a lovely freshness and novelty to the tale. Anyway, enough of these parentheses. Carry on)
I had a few issues with the big double page spreads that come later in the book. They're a little bit confusing at first glance and I imagine could prove slightly intimidatory to the more nervous readers. They are beautiful, beautiful things but there's a lot going on in them. It's a little Where's Wally at times (which is no bad thing, it's just something to note) If you're reading these with somebody who is nervous, do take your time. It's worthwhile letting yourself dwell on the loveliness of these images, the Jetsons-esque styling and the tiny little narratives happening in nearly every breath on the page. Those colours! Those shapes!
So, after the necessary hijinks involving a parade of animals (figure four) and Nickel landing on the back of a "long-necked giraffe" and Tin and Zinc hitching a ride on "the back of a large, grey elephant", there is a final dash through a safari park until eventually Nickel is rescued by a safari ranger and they can all return home. Rather gloriously, Nickel is rewarded with a yellow balloon which .... well ... take a look...
This is such a lovely book. It's just lovely how it revels in its space and is so resolutely vivid and joyful. Many thanks to Andersen for letting me have a look at it. I really love what they do with their picture books and it's a pleasure to be able to wallow in them.
December 8, 2019
This book is very different to Judges other work and I quite liked its uniqueness. I think it portrays the lesson that you shouldn’t take your eyes off the kids for one minute! Love illustrations which allowed the reader to be welcomed into the robotic world.
March 8, 2015
Tin is asked to babysit for his younger sister, Nickel. Everything is fine until she floats away on the end of her balloon. Tin chases after her on his bicycle which is very hard work. He grabs her, but they both float away until, pop! They fall into a parade of animals heading for a safari park. Tin catches up with his sister finally and gets her home before Mom notices they have disappeared.
The illustrations are very colorful and interesting to look at. The robots look more like something that you would build yourself at home.
There is much to see on the pages of this story. Children will enjoy watching to see where Tin and Nickel go next. If you look deeper than the surface, there are parts that did not work for me such as the mediocre text, robots that weren't quite robots and Mom feeding them human food at the end. But the little ones will enjoy the pictures and the journey. I would recommend for ages 3-6.
The illustrations are very colorful and interesting to look at. The robots look more like something that you would build yourself at home.
There is much to see on the pages of this story. Children will enjoy watching to see where Tin and Nickel go next. If you look deeper than the surface, there are parts that did not work for me such as the mediocre text, robots that weren't quite robots and Mom feeding them human food at the end. But the little ones will enjoy the pictures and the journey. I would recommend for ages 3-6.
November 1, 2014
Tin is a young robot who is asked to look after his younger sister, Nickel. Of course, he would rather read his comic book than actually pay attention so the little robot ends up floating away on a balloon. This is just the being of their crazy adventure throughout the city. Luckily, big brother has a lot of determination and persistence. They eventually are reunited and return home. Mother never even knew they were gone so brother gets a reward for doing such a good job of taking care of Nickel. But is their adventure really over? Cute pictures and a silly story that little robot fans will enjoy. I do not like that the brother gets away with all of this and doesn't tell the mother what really happened. He gets an undeserved reward for not telling the truth. Some children might take this as an example of not having to tell mom everything.
April 6, 2016
When Tin is left in charge of his little sister Nickel, he thinks he can relax as she plays. Unfortunately for Tin, Nickel floats away on her balloon and Tin (and his dog Zinc) must chase after her before mom finds out! A cute adventure story with bright illustrations, easy to pronounce words and good opportunities to work on colors, animals and sounds.
My one-year-old asks to read this book almost every day. His favorite part is when Nickel's balloon pops, and pointing at all the different animals in the zoo.
My one-year-old asks to read this book almost every day. His favorite part is when Nickel's balloon pops, and pointing at all the different animals in the zoo.
August 6, 2016
Big brother Tin the robot is looking after his little sister, when she decides to have a bit of fun and fly away on a balloon, with Tin chasing after her.
I thought it was OK, fairly cute illustrations but not head-and-shoulders above the usual. The 4 & 2 year old target audience, however, was wildly enthusiastic and wanted multiple readings. Clearly big-brother/little-sister books hit home with that pair. Going to have to find some more.
I say 3, they say 5, we compromise on 4.
I thought it was OK, fairly cute illustrations but not head-and-shoulders above the usual. The 4 & 2 year old target audience, however, was wildly enthusiastic and wanted multiple readings. Clearly big-brother/little-sister books hit home with that pair. Going to have to find some more.
I say 3, they say 5, we compromise on 4.
December 18, 2016
Awards: None
Grade Levels: K-3
Summary: Tin's mom asks him to look after his little sister, Nickel. Nickel is chasing after her balloon and Tin follows her all over town. Eventually they are able to get back before Tin's mom gets home.
Review: I thought this was a cute book. The illustrations were beautiful, but the story was lacking in my opinion. This family of robots could have more elaborate adventures.
In Class Uses: Class Library, Read Aloud, have kids create their own robots
Grade Levels: K-3
Summary: Tin's mom asks him to look after his little sister, Nickel. Nickel is chasing after her balloon and Tin follows her all over town. Eventually they are able to get back before Tin's mom gets home.
Review: I thought this was a cute book. The illustrations were beautiful, but the story was lacking in my opinion. This family of robots could have more elaborate adventures.
In Class Uses: Class Library, Read Aloud, have kids create their own robots
June 22, 2016
More excitingly illustrated storytelling from Chris Judge, this tells the story of Tin and his search for his lost sister. Beautifully detailed pictures add depth to Chris Judge's characteristically layered storytelling.
February 10, 2015
"A metal boy named Tin is looking after his little sister Nickel one afternoon when she grabs hold of a balloon and floats away. Tin and his dog Zinc set off in hot pursuit as she floats towards the big city. Can they rescue Nickel before she goes too far?"-- Provided by publisher.
September 2, 2015
3.5 stars I really like the artwork in this book. I also like the babysitting concept--or babysitting horrors. What makes it super fun is Tin's sister name is Nickel and his dogs name is Zinc. Very Clever!
February 4, 2022
Nice artwork which gets the bulk of the two stars here. When it comes to Childrens literature I understand that many have D.N.A. syndrome (Do Not analyse) No idea what this book was getting at and lacked any coherent sense. If cute robot pics was the aim. Then good job. Well achieved.
February 16, 2015
Great illustrations provoking much discussion with the three year old, and a satisfying Oh-oh ending.
June 29, 2015
The eye-catching, colorful illustrations get 3 stars and the story, which was ho hum, gets 2 stars.
October 17, 2015
Good storyline.Humorous. Assaults the eyes with garish and psychedelic illustrations. Very bright and vivid palette of primary colours.
February 24, 2016
A robot learns babysitting a younger sibling isn't as easy as it sounds. Very appealing and colorful illustrations.
May 28, 2016
Short story about a little brother watching his little sister and doesn't do a great job at first, but everything ends up happy...sort of.
This book doesn't do much for me.
This book doesn't do much for me.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews