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Tilly and Friends
Pretty Pru
The celebrated Polly Dunbar offers a charming adventure in her series about Tilly and her friends.
Pretty Pru is trying on her favorite red lipstick. She's so busy prancing that she doesn't notice when someone borrows her special purse. Could it be Tiptoe the rabbit, blushing a shade of pink? Or Doodle the alligator, pointing a pretty finger? And what IS that on top of Tumpty's head?
Pretty Pru is trying on her favorite red lipstick. She's so busy prancing that she doesn't notice when someone borrows her special purse. Could it be Tiptoe the rabbit, blushing a shade of pink? Or Doodle the alligator, pointing a pretty finger? And what IS that on top of Tumpty's head?
32 pages, Hardcover
First published February 10, 2009
35 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 - 28 of 28 reviews
January 25, 2021
A hen named Pru has a thing for makeup. When Tumpty, her elephant pal, asks if he can borrow her lipstick, she says, "No. You'll waste it." Okay - so he does a bad thing, but with good intent - he takes her cosmetics-filled handbag so that all of her friends "can be pretty like Pru."
I know I'm easily amused, but I laughed out loud when Pru asks Hector the pig if he's seen her purse, and he bats his mascara-coated eyelashes at her while blurting out, "No." (He's even holding the wand, for crying out loud!)
I'm guessing some readers will hate the fact that this book seems to encourage lying and theft, but I think ANIMALS WEARING MAKEUP makes up for any perceived indiscretions.
(Is this some new perverse obsession I need to worry about? Will I soon be scouring the webs for sick, twisted photos of hapless critters . . . oh, dear. It's too late.)
Help me! I can't stop!
I know I'm easily amused, but I laughed out loud when Pru asks Hector the pig if he's seen her purse, and he bats his mascara-coated eyelashes at her while blurting out, "No." (He's even holding the wand, for crying out loud!)
I'm guessing some readers will hate the fact that this book seems to encourage lying and theft, but I think ANIMALS WEARING MAKEUP makes up for any perceived indiscretions.
(Is this some new perverse obsession I need to worry about? Will I soon be scouring the webs for sick, twisted photos of hapless critters . . . oh, dear. It's too late.)
Help me! I can't stop!
April 12, 2022
Following upon
Hello, Tilly
and
Happy Hector
, this third installment of English children's author Polly Dubar's Tilly and Friends series features the same six best friends, all living together in a yellow house. When Pru (the hen) refuses to allow Tumpty (the elephant) to try her makeup on, he steals her purse, and hilarious hi-jinks ensue. As Pru searches for her missing belongings, she encounters a mascaraed Hector, a blushing Tiptoe, a manicured Doodle, and (finally!) a dancing Tumpty...
With its simple text and engaging illustrations, Pretty Pru is a book that will appeal to very young reader-listeners, who will identify with its gentle sense of mischief, and giggle at some of the hilarious pictures. There isn't much to these books, other than the wonderful artwork, but I think they will work very well, for their intended audience.
With its simple text and engaging illustrations, Pretty Pru is a book that will appeal to very young reader-listeners, who will identify with its gentle sense of mischief, and giggle at some of the hilarious pictures. There isn't much to these books, other than the wonderful artwork, but I think they will work very well, for their intended audience.
July 27, 2009
I've been pretty ambivalent towards the "Tilly and Friends" series so far. They have a clean simple design, and an inherent cute character factor, but the storylines on the others that I've read have been lacking virtually any substance up until "Pretty Pru".
In this one, a fancy pants chicken named Pru doesn't want to share her favorite red lipstick with Tumpty the elephant. So what does Tumpty do? When Pru is too busy checking herself out in the mirror, Tumpty just snatches up her purse with makeup inside, then shares it with all the animals in Tilly's house.
This is where it gets funny. Pigs abusing mascara is hilarious. Little animals smearing lipstick and wearing rouge is original and funny children's book content.
My only problem with this is that it's never implied how wrong it is to go ahead and take something anyway when a person has decided not to share with you. There's a brief apology in there, but then the fun continues right back up and Pru decides to share after all. It's almost like Pru's is more to blame than Tumpty.
It implies that one has to share even if you don't want to. Sure sharing implies kindness which what everyone hopes their children will develop, but sharing doesn't have to be 100% across the board everytime someone asks.
Regardless, sharing makeup is a big no-no. Duh, Polly Dunbar. Poor kids will be getting cold sores and styes.
In this one, a fancy pants chicken named Pru doesn't want to share her favorite red lipstick with Tumpty the elephant. So what does Tumpty do? When Pru is too busy checking herself out in the mirror, Tumpty just snatches up her purse with makeup inside, then shares it with all the animals in Tilly's house.
This is where it gets funny. Pigs abusing mascara is hilarious. Little animals smearing lipstick and wearing rouge is original and funny children's book content.
My only problem with this is that it's never implied how wrong it is to go ahead and take something anyway when a person has decided not to share with you. There's a brief apology in there, but then the fun continues right back up and Pru decides to share after all. It's almost like Pru's is more to blame than Tumpty.
It implies that one has to share even if you don't want to. Sure sharing implies kindness which what everyone hopes their children will develop, but sharing doesn't have to be 100% across the board everytime someone asks.
Regardless, sharing makeup is a big no-no. Duh, Polly Dunbar. Poor kids will be getting cold sores and styes.
May 9, 2021
Part of my 365 Kids Books challenge. For a fuller explanation see my review for 101 Amazing Facts about Australia You can see all the books on their own shelf.
So this was the first time I'd read any of the Tilly and Friends books, and I didn't know anything about them. And I was a bit wincy at the overt gender stereotype, but her art is lovely so I stuck with it. Ha! I love it. Well played, Dunbar, well played.
Library copy
So this was the first time I'd read any of the Tilly and Friends books, and I didn't know anything about them. And I was a bit wincy at the overt gender stereotype, but her art is lovely so I stuck with it. Ha! I love it. Well played, Dunbar, well played.
Library copy
March 14, 2019
Pikku Kakkosesta tutut Tilda ja hänen ystävänsä seikkailevat tässä kuvakirjassa. Perheen pienimmille suunnattu kirja oli oikein hauskaa luettavaa; kirjan sivuilla sattui ja tapahtui! Tässä käsiteltiin myös toisen tavaran luvatta ottamista, kaunistautumista tyylillään ja anteeksipyytämistä.
July 4, 2017
Very good book
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
Not as good as the other wonderful books I've read from Polly Dunbar. Tilly and all her friends live in a little yellow house. Pretty Pru is a lipstick wearing chicken, which is pretty funny as of course, chicken famously don't have lips. Tumpty the elephant wants to wear some make up too. Pru says no, so he steals her bag and everyone has a go. The Hector the pig denying make up use with two mascara spiders for eyes is wonderfully funny. Otherwise I found it fell a bit flat.
December 1, 2013
This is the story of Miss Pru. She is trying on her new lipstick and prancing around. She is so busy worrying about how pretty she looks that she doesn't notice her purse is missing. Pru doesn't want to share her new lipstick with her friends so Tumpty the elephants takes her purse and shares Pru's lipstick with all the animal friends. This is a great book for community building in the classroom. It is all about learning to share and that it is not polite to take others things.
February 26, 2010
We've already established how much I love Polly Dunbar; this series of books is perfectly suited to small listeners. Bridget seems to be the perfect age for this story; even though she is happy to listen to long books now, she really enjoyed this one, too. The illustrations have complexity even though the design is very simple.
July 28, 2009
these are not my favorite by way of stories (not much to them), but we do love polly dunbar's illustrations. using them as early readers for a bit of variety 'cause the early reader world of books gets boring fast.
April 20, 2012
The first book a bought for my newborn daughter, she liked it from a very young age. It's camp humour is hilarious and I congratulate Ms Dunbar on bringing together a wonderful selection of characters to engage and entertain readers of all ages. My other favourite is Doodle Bites.
February 5, 2013
While trying on her favorite red lipstick, Pretty Pru doesn't notice that someone has borrowed her special purse, but three of her friends--Tiptoe the rabbit, Doodle the Alligator, and Tumpty the elephant--are likely candidates.
March 15, 2009
My second tilly and friends book and I love it. Reminds me a little of Oliva books. Sweet story about sharing and having a good time being friends together. Ages 3+
July 22, 2009
Love, love, love. This might be the gift book for the season.
November 16, 2009
You should read this book simply for the pig-in-mascara spread. Hilarious!
Read
December 10, 2009"make-up, personal belongings"
July 24, 2010
As I mention in every Dunbar book review the art, color and sense of design are very beautiful. The story is sweet and I think many toddlers will relate.
October 3, 2010
We love the art in this series of books. SO cute.
March 2, 2011
The story was just Eh for me. I felt like you should learn something in this book. Stealing is wrong or you should learn to share but, it misses the mark for me.
June 24, 2011
The Tilly and Friends series is one of my all time favorites! Pretty Pru teaches young readers about sharing and respecting other people's belongings.
March 27, 2015
i love animals that make faces. a chicken with lipstick is hilarious. a chicken with lipstick that has jealous friends that want her lipstick is even funnier.
December 23, 2019
Helmi meikkaa ja muut haluavat myös kokeilla samoja meikkejä.
April 6, 2009
Catherine *loves* this book. I'm not sure I really get it, but check back in another 436 readings.
November 8, 2012
My favorite character was tiptoe
April 27, 2016
Prepare for riotous laughter. Perfection.
April 30, 2017
27 månaders kritikerns minst populära Tilly bok än så länge. Vad kan man säga, krokodiler och elefanter är mer skoj än hönor. Kan inte säga att han har fel i det. Men vi läste trots detta boken ett antal gånger, krokodilen och elefanten är ju trots allt med lite grann.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews