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Tilly and Friends
Hello, Tilly
Meet Tilly and her friends! From the celebrated Polly Dunbar comes the first in a series of humorous stories about a lovable group of pals.
Tilly lives in a little yellow house with her best friends. Peek in on Tiptoe, Hector, Doodle, Pru, and Tumpty as they play the trumpet, bang the drum, eat a feast, and dance the Wiggle Wiggle Woo. Whump! Bump! Whoops!
Tilly lives in a little yellow house with her best friends. Peek in on Tiptoe, Hector, Doodle, Pru, and Tumpty as they play the trumpet, bang the drum, eat a feast, and dance the Wiggle Wiggle Woo. Whump! Bump! Whoops!
32 pages, Hardcover
First published October 14, 2008
60 people want to read
About the author
Polly Dunbar
81 books51 followersPolly Dunbar is the author-illustrator of many children’s books, including DOG BLUE, PENGUIN, and six stories featuring Tilly and Friends. She is also the illustrator of David Almond’s MY DAD'S A BIRDMAN. Polly Dunbar lives in Brighton, England.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
August 2, 2019
The first of six picture-books in Polly Dunbar's Tilly and Friends series, Hello Tilly introduces six best friends - Tilly herself, Hector the pig, Pru the hen, Tumpty the elephant, Doodle the alligator, and Tiptoe the rabbit - who all live together in a yellow house. When Tiptoe interrupts Tilly's reading, an impromptu musical party ensues. Soon, the friends have tired themselves out, and want... a story!
With minimal text, and sweet illustrations that grab the eye, these books are ideally suited for the youngest reader-listeners. This first installment is really rather weak, with little in the way of an actual story, but I imagine that toddlers will still take to it, won over by the attractive visuals, and the many sound-words in the text. Fortunately, subsequent titles (like Happy Hector ) offer a stronger narrative.
With minimal text, and sweet illustrations that grab the eye, these books are ideally suited for the youngest reader-listeners. This first installment is really rather weak, with little in the way of an actual story, but I imagine that toddlers will still take to it, won over by the attractive visuals, and the many sound-words in the text. Fortunately, subsequent titles (like Happy Hector ) offer a stronger narrative.
October 13, 2022
I think it's best for the 0-2yo set, but my 5yo likes it plenty.
June 17, 2017
'Hello Tilly' is an introductory affair which gives each character a page to party on down. The art is well conceived and makes great use of space. The characters are unique and wonderfully drawn. The next entries focus on one character each and are subsequently more of a story than a disjointed series of introductions. That said, my 2.5yr old still enjoys the book, although it does not contain the wonderful emotions of 'Happy Hector' (the next book).
October 23, 2019
This book doesn't necessarily have storyline that is engaging, but would be a book that lower KS1/EYFS would enjoy due to the lovely double page illustrations. It could also be used as a book to highlight digraphs.
October 23, 2019
Dunbar uses her own experience of living in a shared house to portray the excitement and fun associated with being around others. The book includes many examples of onomatopoeia and its effect can be discussed with children.
November 19, 2019
I read this because I loved Dog Blue by Dunbar. This is cute. I will read it to me dog, Tilly too.
February 28, 2011
Littlebug’s Snoozing on the Job(My 2 year old daughter's opinion): “Yep, mom’s right, I’m sweepy! Ever since we got back from papa’s house I haven’t felt good, but I’m so happy I have my Tumppy (supposed to be Tumpty). My daddy gave him to me for my birfday and he is with me all the time.
“My favorite book out of all of these is always Where’s Tumppy? because it has my favorite animal ever in it,’phant! ‘Phants are the best because they have big floppy ears and they are perfect for hugging. In this book Tumppy tries to hide under a box and then behind some other things only he’s too big and everyone keeps laughing at him. By the end they all can’t find him because he’s found a great hiding place, which is also one of the bestest games ever, and they all laugh and play together. It’s so fun! I make my mom and daddy read it at least once a day, more if they will.
“Where’s Tumppy? is still my favorite, but I really like all the other books too. Good Night, Tiptoe is the best book to read before bed, I never want want to go to bed right away and neither does Tiptoe. And Pretty Pru is so funny because they all put on Pru’s makeup and look silly. Tilly and her friends are the bestest! You really should read these with a kiddo soon!”
Mom’s Two Cents: “Tilly and her friends are up to the usual; playing, dressing up, painting, hiding, reading, sleeping and much much more. Doing what kids do best and sometimes…what they don’t do so well; biting, yelling, pushing and other not to nice things. What Tilly does for her friends though is show them how to behave their very best and enjoy being together.
“This series, though not flashy with glitter and neon colors, is a stand out in my opinion. Without a doubt, over the last couple of months that we’ve been reading it both Littlebug and Turkeybird have wanted to read each book over and over again, more than any other books on the shelf. To be honest, I was a bit surprised. When they arrived (unjacketd, of course, which is fantastic!) the seemingly plain book spine and pencil type illustrations didn’t seem to me to be something the kiddos would gravitate towards. I did of course, I devoured each book that evening on my own, loving the very simple yet beautiful illustrations of Tilly, Tumpty, Doodle and the others. Not to mention the stories were adorable, teaching kids to be polite, not grumpy or selfish, not to bite, when to go to bed and more but in a very funny way. They were also some of the first that my dear sweet Baker (hubby) has really enjoyed reading as well (he’s extremely picky about picture books).
“Well, I once had a doctor jokingly tell me, “Kids live to prove you wrong” and that is absolutely the case with these books. Immediately they loved them. Not only that, but as Littlebug mentioned, her recent elephant gift for her birthday has been named Tumpty (pronounced “Tumppy” by her) and it must go with her everywhere. They’ve absolutely fallen in love with the series, as have I.
“Tilly and Friends may seem a quiet and inconspicuous, but once you open the pages you’ll quickly see precisely how delightful these characters are. Helping children to see there is a better way to treat our friends isn’t always the easiest thing either, but with Tilly and her troop of animal friends children will be able to gain a better understanding of some of the most basic concepts that can often be taken for granted by adults. Polly Dunbar has made a beautiful set of books that not only children will love, but parent will love as well. Our family being one that is entirely captivated with this series of books and I know many other families will be as well. Do not pass this series of books up for a much more ‘shinny’ picture book, you would be missing out on some of your best reading time ever with your kiddos.”
“My favorite book out of all of these is always Where’s Tumppy? because it has my favorite animal ever in it,’phant! ‘Phants are the best because they have big floppy ears and they are perfect for hugging. In this book Tumppy tries to hide under a box and then behind some other things only he’s too big and everyone keeps laughing at him. By the end they all can’t find him because he’s found a great hiding place, which is also one of the bestest games ever, and they all laugh and play together. It’s so fun! I make my mom and daddy read it at least once a day, more if they will.
“Where’s Tumppy? is still my favorite, but I really like all the other books too. Good Night, Tiptoe is the best book to read before bed, I never want want to go to bed right away and neither does Tiptoe. And Pretty Pru is so funny because they all put on Pru’s makeup and look silly. Tilly and her friends are the bestest! You really should read these with a kiddo soon!”
Mom’s Two Cents: “Tilly and her friends are up to the usual; playing, dressing up, painting, hiding, reading, sleeping and much much more. Doing what kids do best and sometimes…what they don’t do so well; biting, yelling, pushing and other not to nice things. What Tilly does for her friends though is show them how to behave their very best and enjoy being together.
“This series, though not flashy with glitter and neon colors, is a stand out in my opinion. Without a doubt, over the last couple of months that we’ve been reading it both Littlebug and Turkeybird have wanted to read each book over and over again, more than any other books on the shelf. To be honest, I was a bit surprised. When they arrived (unjacketd, of course, which is fantastic!) the seemingly plain book spine and pencil type illustrations didn’t seem to me to be something the kiddos would gravitate towards. I did of course, I devoured each book that evening on my own, loving the very simple yet beautiful illustrations of Tilly, Tumpty, Doodle and the others. Not to mention the stories were adorable, teaching kids to be polite, not grumpy or selfish, not to bite, when to go to bed and more but in a very funny way. They were also some of the first that my dear sweet Baker (hubby) has really enjoyed reading as well (he’s extremely picky about picture books).
“Well, I once had a doctor jokingly tell me, “Kids live to prove you wrong” and that is absolutely the case with these books. Immediately they loved them. Not only that, but as Littlebug mentioned, her recent elephant gift for her birthday has been named Tumpty (pronounced “Tumppy” by her) and it must go with her everywhere. They’ve absolutely fallen in love with the series, as have I.
“Tilly and Friends may seem a quiet and inconspicuous, but once you open the pages you’ll quickly see precisely how delightful these characters are. Helping children to see there is a better way to treat our friends isn’t always the easiest thing either, but with Tilly and her troop of animal friends children will be able to gain a better understanding of some of the most basic concepts that can often be taken for granted by adults. Polly Dunbar has made a beautiful set of books that not only children will love, but parent will love as well. Our family being one that is entirely captivated with this series of books and I know many other families will be as well. Do not pass this series of books up for a much more ‘shinny’ picture book, you would be missing out on some of your best reading time ever with your kiddos.”
December 9, 2011
I really like Polly Dunbar's sense of humour. This is the initial book in the Tilly and Friends series, and the first that I've read. It's wonderful and silly fun for toddlers. Lots of great noises to make, and fun illustrations- Doodle the crocodile enjoys the feast he keeps going when only the plates are left. I look forward to seeing the rest of the series.
August 6, 2010
The first of the beautiful Tilly and Friends series simply introduces us to the characters. Each character is further defined in the next 5 books of the series. There's really no plot but the ending is sweet.
November 24, 2008
Maybe good for Boogie Woogie Books?
December 5, 2008
Lots of fun noises to read with toddlers- but the ending is abrupt (everyone suddenly falls asleep). Have to be creative there if used in Storytime.
April 23, 2009
The pictures are so adorable - I just with the text wasn't so lame.
February 25, 2009
Oh, how I love Polly Dunbar, but this book doesn't cut the cupcake. The illustrations are charming, but, but, but. That's about it.
February 24, 2009
Tilly the toddler takes a break from her favorite story to play with all of her animal friends. Cute fun story.
August 6, 2010
"preschooler audience, playing, friendship"
January 20, 2010
Not much of a story.
May 9, 2012
Positively delightful illustrations with a simple, heartwarming, humorous tale. Polly Dunbar is the bomb.
November 10, 2014
read this in norwegian. fun but the other tilly books were preferable.
January 2, 2015
Warmth and care
November 9, 2015
Cute book for my daughter. She loves it.
November 21, 2021
Tilda yrittää lukea lempikirjaansa, mutta eläimet tulevat ja aloittavat maailmanlopun ryminän.
May 2, 2009
I love this entire series.
August 27, 2012
Introduces Tilly and her friends who like to have fun times together. Good for toddler storytimes.
October 4, 2014
Cute. Especially the "wiggle woo" (a type of dance). Made me shimmy in my seat! (:
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews