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The Tindims of Rubbish Island
The tiny Tindims are like the Borrowers-on-Sea, who turn our everyday rubbish into treasure. Mother-and-daughter duo, prizewinning Sally Gardner and Lydia Corry, create a fun new world of characters and adventures in their empowering new series for 5-8 year olds inspiring conservation and inventive ways to recycle.
'What is rubbish today is treasure tomorrow.' Discover Rubbish Island which the Tindims have built entirely from things we have thrown away. Captain Spoons, Mug, Jug, Brew, Skittle and friends are busy recycling when Ethel B Dina is blown out to sea and the Tindims must launch a rescue operation with the help of some friendly fish and surprises along the way.
'What is rubbish today is treasure tomorrow.' Discover Rubbish Island which the Tindims have built entirely from things we have thrown away. Captain Spoons, Mug, Jug, Brew, Skittle and friends are busy recycling when Ethel B Dina is blown out to sea and the Tindims must launch a rescue operation with the help of some friendly fish and surprises along the way.
136 pages, Paperback
First published September 3, 2020
3 people are currently reading
44 people want to read
About the author
Sally Gardner
116 books631 followersAKA Wray Delaney
Sally Gardner grew up and still lives in London. Being dyslexic, she did not learn to read or write until she was fourteen and had been thrown out of several schools, labeled unteachable, and sent to a school for maladjusted children. Despite this, she gained a degree with highest honors at a leading London art college, followed by a scholarship to a theater school, and then went on to become a very successful costume designer, working on some notable productions.
After the births of twin daughters and a son, she started first to illustrate and then to write picture books and chapter books, usually with fairytale- or otherwise magical subject matter. She has been called 'an idiosyncratic genius' by London’s Sunday Times.
Sally Gardner grew up and still lives in London. Being dyslexic, she did not learn to read or write until she was fourteen and had been thrown out of several schools, labeled unteachable, and sent to a school for maladjusted children. Despite this, she gained a degree with highest honors at a leading London art college, followed by a scholarship to a theater school, and then went on to become a very successful costume designer, working on some notable productions.
After the births of twin daughters and a son, she started first to illustrate and then to write picture books and chapter books, usually with fairytale- or otherwise magical subject matter. She has been called 'an idiosyncratic genius' by London’s Sunday Times.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
September 22, 2020
I received this book from Netgalley/publisher in exchange of an honest review.
I just ADORED Sally Gardner’s WIngs & Co series (and still hoping for book 6 to be released, though it has been 4 years…) and so when I saw this book I knew I had to try it out. I am glad I did.. because it was wonderful.
It reminds me a lot of the Borrowers, we see them use all sorts of things that humans leave behind and I was just delighted seeing what they use the items for. Like the chandelier filled with all sorts of fun items including a squeaky mouse, a candle, cards, and others, or a can as a hat (though dang that is a tiny can, baby tomatoes?). I love that they recycle things and make new things out of it. Loving each piece and not seeing it as garbage, but instead as treasure. Well, if they can, in this book we see them struggle a bit with a mountain of plastic bottles (why did people throw that in the sea, just recycle people, it is not that hard). I do wonder why they put the mountain right in front of their lookout/control room. Anyone could have seen that wouldn’t end well. 😛 But I loved seeing them find ways to steer the island to the right path. Talk to people on helping, talk about how to use x item. It was so much fun and I was rooting for the Tindims to find a way. And then the ending part with what happens to Ethel B Dina was just exciting (though I had a laugh that she kept on singing despite the situation).
I also had a laugh at seeing the Tindims discuss what the various things they found meant. Like the label Water on a bottle, why would anyone bottle water? It had me giggling.
I loved the names for the various days in the week and I definitely would love to make Sharkday and Turtleday real. I am sure my hubbie agrees, especially on the Turtleday (he loves turtles).
We meet all the various Tindims that live on Rubbish Island. Each one has a job, each one collects something. From machinery to bottles to fishing.
There is also plenty of singing or mentions of singing and it really made me smile.
I would love to participate in the Brightsea Festival, it sounds like so much fun and I just love all the various lights they put up.
The art was just so much fun and I just ADORE the style. I would love to see more of it, so I am going to check out what more work the illustrator has done soon.
I had to read this one on my PC because it just didn’t work on my Kindle. Which is logic given all the illustrations, but I would have liked a bit of a warning that it wouldn’t work on a Kindle. My eyes don’t like reading on phone/computer screens.
I really loved reading this one and I would highly recommend it. And please, very please, I would love more books about the Tindims!
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
I just ADORED Sally Gardner’s WIngs & Co series (and still hoping for book 6 to be released, though it has been 4 years…) and so when I saw this book I knew I had to try it out. I am glad I did.. because it was wonderful.
It reminds me a lot of the Borrowers, we see them use all sorts of things that humans leave behind and I was just delighted seeing what they use the items for. Like the chandelier filled with all sorts of fun items including a squeaky mouse, a candle, cards, and others, or a can as a hat (though dang that is a tiny can, baby tomatoes?). I love that they recycle things and make new things out of it. Loving each piece and not seeing it as garbage, but instead as treasure. Well, if they can, in this book we see them struggle a bit with a mountain of plastic bottles (why did people throw that in the sea, just recycle people, it is not that hard). I do wonder why they put the mountain right in front of their lookout/control room. Anyone could have seen that wouldn’t end well. 😛 But I loved seeing them find ways to steer the island to the right path. Talk to people on helping, talk about how to use x item. It was so much fun and I was rooting for the Tindims to find a way. And then the ending part with what happens to Ethel B Dina was just exciting (though I had a laugh that she kept on singing despite the situation).
I also had a laugh at seeing the Tindims discuss what the various things they found meant. Like the label Water on a bottle, why would anyone bottle water? It had me giggling.
I loved the names for the various days in the week and I definitely would love to make Sharkday and Turtleday real. I am sure my hubbie agrees, especially on the Turtleday (he loves turtles).
We meet all the various Tindims that live on Rubbish Island. Each one has a job, each one collects something. From machinery to bottles to fishing.
There is also plenty of singing or mentions of singing and it really made me smile.
I would love to participate in the Brightsea Festival, it sounds like so much fun and I just love all the various lights they put up.
The art was just so much fun and I just ADORE the style. I would love to see more of it, so I am going to check out what more work the illustrator has done soon.
I had to read this one on my PC because it just didn’t work on my Kindle. Which is logic given all the illustrations, but I would have liked a bit of a warning that it wouldn’t work on a Kindle. My eyes don’t like reading on phone/computer screens.
I really loved reading this one and I would highly recommend it. And please, very please, I would love more books about the Tindims!
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
October 25, 2020
Tindims are tiny people who have been tidying our oceans since the time of The Vikings. The flotsam they find in the
water might be seen by Longlegs (Humans) as rubbish, but Tindims view it as treasure! Even their home is a floating island made of Rubbish - Rubbish Island.
Tindims are happy, positive people, and when they wake to snowflakes falling around them, it's exciting at first. Then a problem arises. Snow is fun, but shouldn't they be somewhere warmer at this time of year? After all, an important Summer Festival is only days away. Somehow they have gone terribly off course.
The problem is soon discovered. Retrieving all the plastic bottles from the oceans has made Bottle Mountain so high, the captain can't see where he is going! A solution must be found, but in the meantime, young Tindim Skittle and her friends are keen to enjoy the snow.
Putting their heads together, the Tindims find just the right piece of rubbish that can get them over Bottle Mountain. This will help Captain Spoons navigate Rubbish Island in the right direction. With the help of sea creatures and some Tindim courage they are soon back to what they do best - recycling Longlegs rubbish!
The Tindims are tiny people making the most of all the rubbish they find on their travels upon the sea. But these age-old creatures despair at how much rubbish finds its way into the world's oceans. Even they can't keep up with it!
This is a wonderful way to approach recycling, plastics in our oceans and the environment with young school-aged children. It has a fun, positive, magical quality to it, and adorable illustrations - all backed up with an important environmental message.
Check out the activity page in the rear of the book to spark class projects, and look out for the next 3 books in the series planned for 2021. Would make a great read aloud too.
Author - Sally Gardner
Illustrator - Lydia Corry
Age - 6+
water might be seen by Longlegs (Humans) as rubbish, but Tindims view it as treasure! Even their home is a floating island made of Rubbish - Rubbish Island.
Tindims are happy, positive people, and when they wake to snowflakes falling around them, it's exciting at first. Then a problem arises. Snow is fun, but shouldn't they be somewhere warmer at this time of year? After all, an important Summer Festival is only days away. Somehow they have gone terribly off course.
The problem is soon discovered. Retrieving all the plastic bottles from the oceans has made Bottle Mountain so high, the captain can't see where he is going! A solution must be found, but in the meantime, young Tindim Skittle and her friends are keen to enjoy the snow.
Putting their heads together, the Tindims find just the right piece of rubbish that can get them over Bottle Mountain. This will help Captain Spoons navigate Rubbish Island in the right direction. With the help of sea creatures and some Tindim courage they are soon back to what they do best - recycling Longlegs rubbish!
The Tindims are tiny people making the most of all the rubbish they find on their travels upon the sea. But these age-old creatures despair at how much rubbish finds its way into the world's oceans. Even they can't keep up with it!
This is a wonderful way to approach recycling, plastics in our oceans and the environment with young school-aged children. It has a fun, positive, magical quality to it, and adorable illustrations - all backed up with an important environmental message.
Check out the activity page in the rear of the book to spark class projects, and look out for the next 3 books in the series planned for 2021. Would make a great read aloud too.
Author - Sally Gardner
Illustrator - Lydia Corry
Age - 6+
June 15, 2023
I was fairly disappointed by this book but it’s hard for me to judge it on its own merits because Sally Gardner wrote one of my favourite books ever, Maggot Moon.
The Tindims are like a seagoing group of Borrowers. They live on an island made of rubbish and they collect all the rubbish that the Long Legs (guess who they are!) throw into the sea. They’ve been cleaning the waters since the time of the Vikings (who “ being hairy and furious, had sea battles “). The book has a strong environmental message which is good but a bit heavy handed.
I liked the concept of The Tindims more than the execution but I must be in the minority as this book is the first in a series. I’d never heard of these books before until I found them on the sale tables at Gleebooks.
2.5 stars rounded up.
The Tindims are like a seagoing group of Borrowers. They live on an island made of rubbish and they collect all the rubbish that the Long Legs (guess who they are!) throw into the sea. They’ve been cleaning the waters since the time of the Vikings (who “ being hairy and furious, had sea battles “). The book has a strong environmental message which is good but a bit heavy handed.
I liked the concept of The Tindims more than the execution but I must be in the minority as this book is the first in a series. I’d never heard of these books before until I found them on the sale tables at Gleebooks.
2.5 stars rounded up.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 3, 2020
Tiny people with the titanic task of saving our seas in the war on plastic.
This is the first in a new series of Early Chapter books with a conservation theme at the heart. The Tindims are recyclers. In fact they were recyclers "well before the word had even found a plastic bag to crawl out of." Captain Spoons, Mug, Jug, Brew, Skittle and friends have built Rubbish Island entirely from rubbish that the 'Long Legs' (us humans) have thrown away. With driftwood kitchen tables, plastic-cup chairs and bubble wrap coats, The Tindims are masters of re-purposing. Their motto is 'rubbish today, treasure tomorrow' but now the sea is so full of plastic bottles, The Tindims are beginning to question whether they can still call them treasure.
The Tindims made a pile of plastic bottles that soon became a mound and then a hill, but now that hill is a mountain. Bottle mountain is a stark reminder for all of us of how our wonderful planet is being piled high with plastic and the problem is just growing and growing.
Rubbish Island roams the seas, bobbing about freely in the waves and it's up to Captain Spoons to steer its course, but bottle mountain is blocking their view of the sea. With the annual Brightsea Festival just days away, will the Tindims be able to navigate to warmer waters in time to celebrate?
Just when they think all is lost, The Tindims fish a rather exciting piece of 'treasure' out of the ocean that can help them get the island moving again. But this triggers a disastrous chain of events and their opera-singing, fish rescuing friend Ethel B Dina gets blown out to sea. They must call on the help of a marvellous marine mammal to help with the rescue.
The Tindims show our youngest readers in a friendly and accessible way the small steps they can take to protect our planet. The junk modelling suggestions at the end of the book, including 'how to make your own Tindim' are a great 'take-away' from the story and a no-cost craft activity that little ones will be begging their parents to help with. They would also make fantastic projects in a Key Stage 1 classroom to undertake alongside reading the book.
Phillip Reeve fans will find equal appeal in The Tidims of Rubbish Island - young readers who loved 'Oliver and the Seawigs' will enjoy this illustrated ecological marine adventure. The inventive story-line and highly engaging and detailed illustrations from mother and daughter duo Sally Gardner and Lydia Corry is a winning combination and I look forward to roaming the oceans on Rubbish Island once more in the next environmentally friendly adventure with The Tindims.
With thanks to NetGalley and Zephyr Books for providing me with a digital copy to review in advance of publication.
This is the first in a new series of Early Chapter books with a conservation theme at the heart. The Tindims are recyclers. In fact they were recyclers "well before the word had even found a plastic bag to crawl out of." Captain Spoons, Mug, Jug, Brew, Skittle and friends have built Rubbish Island entirely from rubbish that the 'Long Legs' (us humans) have thrown away. With driftwood kitchen tables, plastic-cup chairs and bubble wrap coats, The Tindims are masters of re-purposing. Their motto is 'rubbish today, treasure tomorrow' but now the sea is so full of plastic bottles, The Tindims are beginning to question whether they can still call them treasure.
The Tindims made a pile of plastic bottles that soon became a mound and then a hill, but now that hill is a mountain. Bottle mountain is a stark reminder for all of us of how our wonderful planet is being piled high with plastic and the problem is just growing and growing.
Rubbish Island roams the seas, bobbing about freely in the waves and it's up to Captain Spoons to steer its course, but bottle mountain is blocking their view of the sea. With the annual Brightsea Festival just days away, will the Tindims be able to navigate to warmer waters in time to celebrate?
Just when they think all is lost, The Tindims fish a rather exciting piece of 'treasure' out of the ocean that can help them get the island moving again. But this triggers a disastrous chain of events and their opera-singing, fish rescuing friend Ethel B Dina gets blown out to sea. They must call on the help of a marvellous marine mammal to help with the rescue.
The Tindims show our youngest readers in a friendly and accessible way the small steps they can take to protect our planet. The junk modelling suggestions at the end of the book, including 'how to make your own Tindim' are a great 'take-away' from the story and a no-cost craft activity that little ones will be begging their parents to help with. They would also make fantastic projects in a Key Stage 1 classroom to undertake alongside reading the book.
Phillip Reeve fans will find equal appeal in The Tidims of Rubbish Island - young readers who loved 'Oliver and the Seawigs' will enjoy this illustrated ecological marine adventure. The inventive story-line and highly engaging and detailed illustrations from mother and daughter duo Sally Gardner and Lydia Corry is a winning combination and I look forward to roaming the oceans on Rubbish Island once more in the next environmentally friendly adventure with The Tindims.
With thanks to NetGalley and Zephyr Books for providing me with a digital copy to review in advance of publication.
August 15, 2020
The Tindims of Rubbish Island is a sweet, funny story with an important environmental message.
There is lots to keep young readers entertained on every page and my six year old loved reading this with me. She joined in with the songs and loved the Tindims quirky habits and terminology.
The story itself is a delight to read and has a very important message at its heart. The Tindims are resourceful and considerate, and this story introduces themes of environmental conservation and recycling in a way that makes it easy for children to understand their importance. It's very hard to look at plastic bottles in the same way after reading about the Tindim's mountain. Their motto "Rubbish today is treasure tomorrow" is a great way of looking at waste, and will hopefully inspire lots of craft projects and upcycling.
This story is also filled with lovely artwork and the design is wonderful, making it a visual treat. Every page has some kind of design element, making this the perfect story for young readers who are ready to move beyond picture books to something a bit longer, but still enjoy having pictures and visuals to accompany the story.
I really hope the Tindims go on another adventure soon, as this would make a lovely series.
There is lots to keep young readers entertained on every page and my six year old loved reading this with me. She joined in with the songs and loved the Tindims quirky habits and terminology.
The story itself is a delight to read and has a very important message at its heart. The Tindims are resourceful and considerate, and this story introduces themes of environmental conservation and recycling in a way that makes it easy for children to understand their importance. It's very hard to look at plastic bottles in the same way after reading about the Tindim's mountain. Their motto "Rubbish today is treasure tomorrow" is a great way of looking at waste, and will hopefully inspire lots of craft projects and upcycling.
This story is also filled with lovely artwork and the design is wonderful, making it a visual treat. Every page has some kind of design element, making this the perfect story for young readers who are ready to move beyond picture books to something a bit longer, but still enjoy having pictures and visuals to accompany the story.
I really hope the Tindims go on another adventure soon, as this would make a lovely series.
September 2, 2020
https://denisenewtonwrites.com/?p=2097
Children will have fun with Lydia Correy’s jaunty black and white illustrations, identifying all the items of rubbish which the Tindims use: as hats, a cable car, houses, a fish hospital, furniture, to name just a few.
The narrative has a slightly ‘Winnie-the-Pooh’ feel to it as it explores the simple things in life that can bring us joy.
The Tindims of Rubbish Island is a sweet and engaging way to introduce very young readers to the idea of conservation and recycling, while having a lot of fun in the process.
The Tindims
Sally Gardner
Children will have fun with Lydia Correy’s jaunty black and white illustrations, identifying all the items of rubbish which the Tindims use: as hats, a cable car, houses, a fish hospital, furniture, to name just a few.
The narrative has a slightly ‘Winnie-the-Pooh’ feel to it as it explores the simple things in life that can bring us joy.
The Tindims of Rubbish Island is a sweet and engaging way to introduce very young readers to the idea of conservation and recycling, while having a lot of fun in the process.
The Tindims
Sally Gardner
September 7, 2020
We really enjoyed this wonderful book, full of vibrant characters. The first thing we noticed is the amazing map of Rubbish Island, we love books with maps. Kaleys favourite character is Skittle because she has red hair like her and is such a great friend. I really liked Broom because he adopted all the plants and had no room for himself in his house and if that's not relateable I don't know what is 🙈
This was a beautiful story to share with my nearly seven year old as it made the idea of recycling and re-using things fun. She's already keen to try and make some craft inspired by the gorgeous illustrations.
This was a beautiful story to share with my nearly seven year old as it made the idea of recycling and re-using things fun. She's already keen to try and make some craft inspired by the gorgeous illustrations.
August 14, 2020
This is really cute! A great story about plastic pollution that would go perfect in a Y2 class! The Tindims are a brilliant bunch who take pollution from the sea and make something good of it for the island they live on! The illustrations in this are so cute. You could do so much with this!
March 27, 2021
I enjoyed the adventures and cool inventions, as well as the many little stories and cute characters.
September 17, 2021
Good to make kids (and all of us) more thoughtful about what happens to the rubbish we throw away and how we can make it useful.
August 29, 2022
A lovely children's book which helps to inspire children to do their bit to help save the oceans by recycling as the Tindims do!
May 5, 2025
[3] 초등학교 2-3학년이 읽을 만한 책. 4학년한테는 유치하다. 아무리 그래도 라라블라가 묶인 데 없이 날아갔으면 구조할 생각부터 해야 하지 않나? 좀 어이가... 지나치게 고민 없이 사는 거 아닌지.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 5, 2022
The only reason I picked up this book was because I have younger siblings. Personally, I believe that books that juvenile readers read should be enjoyable for children and adults of all ages, and while this book had some interesting characters and great illustrations, it was not appealing to me.
I loved how the book started: small people who live on an island, which floats on the sea, made of recycled trash/rubbish. I love how Sally Gardner depicts the different characters and how she gives them all personalities and families.
However, the book didn't have a true Climax in the middle that had you gripping the book in anticipation. I could have set the book down at any point and have been perfectly content with not finishing it. There were a few small problems that the characters solve, but they weren't challenging enough. (I am a cruel reader and writer. I like my characters and the characters I read about to truly suffer before becoming heroes. Mwahahaha!)
I think that small children who are just starting to read might enjoy this book, but I did not enjoy reading it.
I loved how the book started: small people who live on an island, which floats on the sea, made of recycled trash/rubbish. I love how Sally Gardner depicts the different characters and how she gives them all personalities and families.
However, the book didn't have a true Climax in the middle that had you gripping the book in anticipation. I could have set the book down at any point and have been perfectly content with not finishing it. There were a few small problems that the characters solve, but they weren't challenging enough. (I am a cruel reader and writer. I like my characters and the characters I read about to truly suffer before becoming heroes. Mwahahaha!)
I think that small children who are just starting to read might enjoy this book, but I did not enjoy reading it.
October 24, 2020
I liked this book.
It tells the story of a group of tindims who reuse recycling material.
It is beautifully written and will teach the children about the environment and recycling.
It tells the story of a group of tindims who reuse recycling material.
It is beautifully written and will teach the children about the environment and recycling.
May 4, 2023
Eccentric characters, sweet message, beautifully illustrated. I hope it’s some young reader’s favourite book.
August 8, 2025
TheTindims are utterly adorable🩷
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews