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Tiddler
Soms vertel die kleinste vissies die grootste stories …
“Ek’s jammer, ek’s jammer, ek’s jammer ek’s laat,
maar ek het geswem tussen mossels en wier.
En daar by ’n wrak met ’n skatkis vol goud
het ek en ’n meermin gespeel vir ’n uur.”
Glo jý Tjokkie se storie?
Tjokkie is ’n vissie met ’n groot verbeelding; hy is altyd vol stories oor hy laat vir klas opdaag. Maar wat sal gebeur as hy eendag régtig in die moeilikheid beland? Sal iemand hom dan nog glo?
“Ek’s jammer, ek’s jammer, ek’s jammer ek’s laat,
maar ek het geswem tussen mossels en wier.
En daar by ’n wrak met ’n skatkis vol goud
het ek en ’n meermin gespeel vir ’n uur.”
Glo jý Tjokkie se storie?
Tjokkie is ’n vissie met ’n groot verbeelding; hy is altyd vol stories oor hy laat vir klas opdaag. Maar wat sal gebeur as hy eendag régtig in die moeilikheid beland? Sal iemand hom dan nog glo?
30 pages, Board book
First published January 1, 2008
23 people are currently reading
837 people want to read
About the author
Julia Donaldson
1,223 books1,894 followersGrowing up
I grew up in a tall Victorian London house with my parents, grandmother, aunt, uncle, younger sister Mary and cat Geoffrey (who was really a prince in disguise. Mary and I would argue about which of us would marry him).
Mary and I were always creating imaginary characters and mimicking real ones, and I used to write shows and choreograph ballets for us. A wind-up gramophone wafted out Chopin waltzes.
I studied Drama and French at Bristol University, where I met Malcolm, a guitar-playing medic to whom I’m now married.
Busking and books
Before Malcolm and I had our three sons we used to go busking together and I would write special songs for each country; the best one was in Italian about pasta.
The busking led to a career in singing and songwriting, mainly for children’s television. I became an expert at writing to order on such subjects as guinea pigs, window-cleaning and horrible smells. “We want a song about throwing crumpled-up wrapping paper into the bin” was a typical request from the BBC.
I also continued to write “grown-up” songs and perform them in folk clubs and on the radio, and have recently released two CDs of these songs.
One of my television songs, A SQUASH AND A SQUEEZE, was made into a book in 1993, with illustrations by the wonderful Axel Scheffler. It was great to hold the book in my hand without it vanishing in the air the way the songs did. This prompted me to unearth some plays I’d written for a school reading group, and since then I’ve had 20 plays published. Most children love acting and it’s a tremendous way to improve their reading.
My real breakthrough was THE GRUFFALO, again illustrated by Axel. We work separately - he’s in London and I’m in Glasgow - but he sends me letters with lovely funny pictures on the envelopes.
I really enjoy writing verse, even though it can be fiendishly difficult. I used to memorise poems as a child and it means a lot to me when parents tell me their child can recite one of my books.
Funnily enough, I find it harder to write not in verse, though I feel I am now getting the hang of it! My novel THE GIANTS AND THE JONESES is going to be made into a film by the same team who made the Harry Potter movies, and I have written three books of stories about the anarchic PRINCESS MIRROR-BELLE who appears from the mirror and disrupts the life of an otherwise ordinary eight-year-old. I have just finished writing a novel for teenagers.
When I’m not writing I am often performing, at book festivals and in theatres. I really enjoy getting the children in the audience to help me act out the stories and sing the songs. When Malcolm can take time off from the hospital he and his guitar come too. and it feels as if we’ve come full circle - back to busking.
I grew up in a tall Victorian London house with my parents, grandmother, aunt, uncle, younger sister Mary and cat Geoffrey (who was really a prince in disguise. Mary and I would argue about which of us would marry him).
Mary and I were always creating imaginary characters and mimicking real ones, and I used to write shows and choreograph ballets for us. A wind-up gramophone wafted out Chopin waltzes.
I studied Drama and French at Bristol University, where I met Malcolm, a guitar-playing medic to whom I’m now married.
Busking and books
Before Malcolm and I had our three sons we used to go busking together and I would write special songs for each country; the best one was in Italian about pasta.
The busking led to a career in singing and songwriting, mainly for children’s television. I became an expert at writing to order on such subjects as guinea pigs, window-cleaning and horrible smells. “We want a song about throwing crumpled-up wrapping paper into the bin” was a typical request from the BBC.
I also continued to write “grown-up” songs and perform them in folk clubs and on the radio, and have recently released two CDs of these songs.
One of my television songs, A SQUASH AND A SQUEEZE, was made into a book in 1993, with illustrations by the wonderful Axel Scheffler. It was great to hold the book in my hand without it vanishing in the air the way the songs did. This prompted me to unearth some plays I’d written for a school reading group, and since then I’ve had 20 plays published. Most children love acting and it’s a tremendous way to improve their reading.
My real breakthrough was THE GRUFFALO, again illustrated by Axel. We work separately - he’s in London and I’m in Glasgow - but he sends me letters with lovely funny pictures on the envelopes.
I really enjoy writing verse, even though it can be fiendishly difficult. I used to memorise poems as a child and it means a lot to me when parents tell me their child can recite one of my books.
Funnily enough, I find it harder to write not in verse, though I feel I am now getting the hang of it! My novel THE GIANTS AND THE JONESES is going to be made into a film by the same team who made the Harry Potter movies, and I have written three books of stories about the anarchic PRINCESS MIRROR-BELLE who appears from the mirror and disrupts the life of an otherwise ordinary eight-year-old. I have just finished writing a novel for teenagers.
When I’m not writing I am often performing, at book festivals and in theatres. I really enjoy getting the children in the audience to help me act out the stories and sing the songs. When Malcolm can take time off from the hospital he and his guitar come too. and it feels as if we’ve come full circle - back to busking.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 185 reviews
July 12, 2020
Julia Donaldson is always reliable to tell a fun rhyming tale and Axel Schefflers wonderful illustrations makes this another enjoyable children's book for bed time.
There's a touch of Finding Nemo meets The Boy Who Cried Wolf as young Tiddler is always late for school.
The rest of the class always enjoy his elaborate excuses. So when Tiddler was actually caught by a fisherman net, no one believed him.
Tiddler might not be as memorable as The Gruffalo, Stick Man or Zog but he makes a welcome addition alongside them on the shelf.
There's a touch of Finding Nemo meets The Boy Who Cried Wolf as young Tiddler is always late for school.
The rest of the class always enjoy his elaborate excuses. So when Tiddler was actually caught by a fisherman net, no one believed him.
Tiddler might not be as memorable as The Gruffalo, Stick Man or Zog but he makes a welcome addition alongside them on the shelf.
December 30, 2018
‘Tiddler: The Story-Telling Fish (2008) – by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler. This is another great story form the accomplished team that is Donaldson/Scheffler – as per usual it is a great story by Donaldson, well written with the usual rhymes that engage the reader as well as driving and maintaining the momentum of the narrative – and as per usual, it is accompanied and greatly enhanced by the imaginative and vivid illustrations from the pen of Scheffler.
‘Tiddler’ is the story of a little fish telling tall tales, who goes on a very big adventure (there are obvious echoes and influences here of Disney’s Nemo) – it is a circular story and a very pleasing one. Another great book from the winning team of Donaldson and Scheffler.
‘Tiddler’ is the story of a little fish telling tall tales, who goes on a very big adventure (there are obvious echoes and influences here of Disney’s Nemo) – it is a circular story and a very pleasing one. Another great book from the winning team of Donaldson and Scheffler.
April 22, 2019
This book doesn't seem very popular in Iowa, neither among libraries nor book stores, so I had to borrow it through an interlibrary loan (read: for a very short time). And that's disappointing, because the book is spectacular! I count it as one of the best books by the author. We read it at bedtime all nine evenings we had it.
As seems customary, this British book suffered being "translated" for the American audience. I really don't get this translations from English to English. The first time I noticed it was in the first book I read in English, and it was Harry Potter. There are whole paragraphs changed in Harry Potter! And I still can't get why. What exactly was the purpose of those changes? It didn't make the book any better. Some words maybe more British than American, but I'm sure Americans know them, even if don't use them very often (and if they don't, isn't it a good reason to enrich one's vocabulary?) Anyway, for Tiddler: The story-telling fish the main problem is the title. I wonder whose fevered imagination generated the idea that this story is a version of a very old one about a boy who cried wolf. This someone was apparently so impressed with this idea, the book changed the title under its influence. The problem is, the moral here is complete opposite! Besides, it's kinda hard to explain to a toddler, why a book called "The Fish Who Cried Wolf" doesn't contain any wolves or any fishes talking about wolves. Just try it.
The illustrations are as good as ever. Both my son and I were delighted by a Gruffalo Fish. Look for it in the book! I think it's a very nice touch (though my husband thinks the authors have overdone it a bit). The Gruffalo Fish is not the only peculiar fish to look for in this book. It's full of wonderfull illustrations you can make into a biology lesson for a toddler, they are that good. I hope Tiddler: The Story-Telling Fish will find a wider recognition some day.
As seems customary, this British book suffered being "translated" for the American audience. I really don't get this translations from English to English. The first time I noticed it was in the first book I read in English, and it was Harry Potter. There are whole paragraphs changed in Harry Potter! And I still can't get why. What exactly was the purpose of those changes? It didn't make the book any better. Some words maybe more British than American, but I'm sure Americans know them, even if don't use them very often (and if they don't, isn't it a good reason to enrich one's vocabulary?) Anyway, for Tiddler: The story-telling fish the main problem is the title. I wonder whose fevered imagination generated the idea that this story is a version of a very old one about a boy who cried wolf. This someone was apparently so impressed with this idea, the book changed the title under its influence. The problem is, the moral here is complete opposite! Besides, it's kinda hard to explain to a toddler, why a book called "The Fish Who Cried Wolf" doesn't contain any wolves or any fishes talking about wolves. Just try it.
The illustrations are as good as ever. Both my son and I were delighted by a Gruffalo Fish. Look for it in the book! I think it's a very nice touch (though my husband thinks the authors have overdone it a bit). The Gruffalo Fish is not the only peculiar fish to look for in this book. It's full of wonderfull illustrations you can make into a biology lesson for a toddler, they are that good. I hope Tiddler: The Story-Telling Fish will find a wider recognition some day.
October 14, 2012
Nathaniel wanted uncle James to read him his new library book – Tiddler. The story is about Tiddler, a small fish who is always late for class. He makes up increasingly tall tales to explain his lateness. Nobody believes him but his stories start to spread throughout the fish world. Sort of a Nemo who cried wolf story. Of course, eventually Tiddler is properly late and uses his previous stories to return home safely.
January 30, 2024
Imaginative and fun story about tall tales as imagined - or experienced? - by a small fish. This one is hard to translate, we read it in German and its original English to make up for the loss in wit. Nevertheless, my child who is now 3.5 years old has loved this book for years and still picks it up so I can read it for him. To me it's definitely one of the essential children's books.
January 4, 2018
Julia Donaldson has such a talent for writing children’s books with infectious lines, wonderful rhymes and adorably funny stories. This is no exception. We loved Tiddler and his tall tales, along with the beautiful illustrations and under-the-sea fun!
Another must-have for the tiny human library!
Another must-have for the tiny human library!
June 2, 2015
This is a long book, so more suitable for a 3yo than a 2yo, but it's got a good story and lots of interesting pictures.
Edited later: 2.5 seems like a good age. The touch of pantomime ("Oh no, he didn't!") and the call-and-response of the fish school make this a bedtime favorite. I can't tell you how many times I've read it now!
Edited later: 2.5 seems like a good age. The touch of pantomime ("Oh no, he didn't!") and the call-and-response of the fish school make this a bedtime favorite. I can't tell you how many times I've read it now!
December 9, 2021
„Рибко – разказвачът на истории“ (изд. „Жанет 45“) е поредният чаровен персонаж в богатата галерия от герои на световноизвестните създатели на детски книги Джулия Доналдсън и Аксел Шефлър. Познаваме формата, познаваме визията, познаваме стила… Но никога не знаем какъв ли нов сюжет и какъв ли неочакван край са ни приготвили британската писателка и немският илюстратор. А краят тук е наистина непредвидим! Това, което започва като подводна версия на „Лъжливото овчарче“ скоро се превръща в игрива възхвала на въображението и творчеството, която завършва направо като мета-книга за най-малките. „Рибко“ е истински хит по всички параграфи, отново в превод на Мария Донева. Прочетете ревюто на „Книжни Криле“: https://knijnikrile.wordpress.com/202...
November 21, 2020
This is a great picture book with bright, detailed illustrations including the Gruffalo fish in some pictures which children could look for. It is repetitive and has consistent rhyme so children would enjoy joining in with the story. It's a good length as a read aloud book to use in KS1 and has links to the environment, animals and habitats.
December 29, 2023
This just didn't have the pace to keep my niece hooked, she was more interested in undoing my cardigan. Sorry Julia
September 6, 2022
Adoro Julia Donaldson, adoro i libri in rima, adoro le sue rime. Bellissimo!
Recensione sintetica: sì!
Recensione sintetica: sì!
October 7, 2016
Another cracking good book for toddlers and preschoolers from the master Julia Donaldson. Tiddler is a fish who's always late, and always has a tall tale explaining why. But what happens one day when one of his crazy tales does come true? Donaldson's rhyming story reads smoothly and is full of wee delights, ideal for reading aloud. Scheffler's drawings bring the tale to vivid life, adding to the words and giving little ones plenty to look at and enjoy. Perhaps not the absolute best of the pair's offerings, but a very, very good tale that is very re-readable.
March 1, 2020
Tiddler is a fish with a huge imagination who blows small bubbles but tells tall tales. And his excuses for being late for school are amazing as he tells a different story every day. For example on the first day he says he was riding on a seahorse, flying with a ray and diving with a dolphin. But the long and short of it is that when Miss Skate calls the register, Johnny Dory is there, Rabbitfish is there and Redfin is there but there is no Tiddler. And so the cry goes up in class, 'TIDDLER'S LATE'.
Tiddler's tall tales were so legendary that other fish told them at home to their grandmas and they pass it on to others. But it makes no difference, Tiddler is still late each day; on the second day of the week, he says he was swimming with a mermaid and captured by a squid. And once again the cry goes up 'TIDDLER'S LATE'.
Then one day he isn't just late, he doesn't turn up at all. And that is because as he is dreaming up what story to tell Miss Skate a fishing boat comes along and picks him up in a net. And he has various adventures in the ocean before he finally wiggles free.
Then, surprise, surprise, he dashes to school and arrives at half past three, almost going home time! The other fish at school debate whether Tiddler is telling the truth; 'just a silly story,' say Butterfish and Blue, 'It's just another story,' say Leopardfish and Leaf fish but little Johnny Dory says, 'It isn't just a story' and he goes on to tell it to a friend who is a writer … and here it is written down for us to read and enjoy!
The Julia Donaldson/Axel Scheffler combination has once more turned up with a winner in this colourful story that all happens under the sea!
Tiddler's tall tales were so legendary that other fish told them at home to their grandmas and they pass it on to others. But it makes no difference, Tiddler is still late each day; on the second day of the week, he says he was swimming with a mermaid and captured by a squid. And once again the cry goes up 'TIDDLER'S LATE'.
Then one day he isn't just late, he doesn't turn up at all. And that is because as he is dreaming up what story to tell Miss Skate a fishing boat comes along and picks him up in a net. And he has various adventures in the ocean before he finally wiggles free.
Then, surprise, surprise, he dashes to school and arrives at half past three, almost going home time! The other fish at school debate whether Tiddler is telling the truth; 'just a silly story,' say Butterfish and Blue, 'It's just another story,' say Leopardfish and Leaf fish but little Johnny Dory says, 'It isn't just a story' and he goes on to tell it to a friend who is a writer … and here it is written down for us to read and enjoy!
The Julia Donaldson/Axel Scheffler combination has once more turned up with a winner in this colourful story that all happens under the sea!
April 7, 2018
Although the title makes it sound as if the reader will learn a lesson from the fish telling false stories, the theme is more about storytelling than lying. Since this book was published after the film Finding Nemo, it is hard not to see the many similarities between the two. The cartoon illustrations are very colorful and portray the wide variety of animals found in the sea, making the story come alive for the reader. The text has a good rhythm to it and would make a successful read aloud for young elementary students.
May 6, 2021
Read this with my two year old nephew and even I loved the story! The rhyming narrative and the wonderfully colourful illustrations were enough to keep his attention. After each page we took time to look at the pictures and see what things he could identify, ie: Mermaid, Starfish, Shark etc. So not only was it a lovely fun story we used it to help increase my nephew's vocabulary. Very enjoyable for both of us.
January 31, 2019
Lovely illustrations and great story. Lots of rhyming and could relate to learning about different fish or sea creatures and their habitats.
October 21, 2020
I think this would be a lovely book to share with younger children as they could learn the response. There is also some rhyme which can be great to support children's phonics and reading.
September 21, 2021
Tiddler is a fun and underwater entertaining read of a fish (named Tiddler) that tells tall tales to his teacher and classmates giving “reasons” to why he’s late to class.
I love that this is an animal story but this time underwater. It’s nice seeing different water animals. The illustrations here are again fun to look at but this time I noticed that some of them look human like, which I personally find a bit weird to look at. Not sure If it’s intended to be like that or not.
The rhymes here are fun and entertaining but not as good as the last two picture books I read by Julia Donaldson.
I love that this is an animal story but this time underwater. It’s nice seeing different water animals. The illustrations here are again fun to look at but this time I noticed that some of them look human like, which I personally find a bit weird to look at. Not sure If it’s intended to be like that or not.
The rhymes here are fun and entertaining but not as good as the last two picture books I read by Julia Donaldson.
April 7, 2022
Много симпатична история.
Но за жалост има какво да се желае от превода.
Но за жалост има какво да се желае от превода.
December 21, 2022
best book ive read all year.
sponsored by my friend Sári’s last three braincells
sponsored by my friend Sári’s last three braincells
May 21, 2018
I predict her next story will be about toys that are secretly alive.
January 28, 2013
This book tells the story of Tiddler, a little grey fish who is never on time but has always got a story as to why.
It sees Tiddler arriving late to school on a few occasions, offering ellaborate excuses for his impunctuality. These tales involve octopuses, shipwrecks and turtles, and the stories spread like wildfire, from one fish, to another, and another...
One day, Tiddler is on his way to school when he is so distracted by daydreaming that he gets cuaght in the net of a fishing boat. He eentually gets thrown back in the water and finds his way back to school when he hears some anchovies talking about one of his stories. He tracks the story back home and arrives at school just as everyone else is leaving.
Tiddler explains hat happened and not everyone believes him, but still the stoy speads until it gets to a writer, which is how the book was written.
Reading this book as an adult, I'm not sure what t is supposed to teach children. On the one hand, Tiddler got into trouble because of his storytelling- getting caught because he was daydreaming- and no one comes to look for him because of his perpetual lateness. In the other hand, his stories are what help him to find his way back home.
Is this book suggesting that lying and story telling is a positive or negative thing? Perhaps hat question could be posed in class to begin a discussion.
Despite not knowing the moral of the story, this is a fascinating book and as I read it, I found myself wondering what would happen next.
The illustrations in the book are beautiful and I can see that children from Early Years to lower KS2 would enjoy the book in different contexts. It could be used as a basis for lessons in art, creative writing or PSHE.
It sees Tiddler arriving late to school on a few occasions, offering ellaborate excuses for his impunctuality. These tales involve octopuses, shipwrecks and turtles, and the stories spread like wildfire, from one fish, to another, and another...
One day, Tiddler is on his way to school when he is so distracted by daydreaming that he gets cuaght in the net of a fishing boat. He eentually gets thrown back in the water and finds his way back to school when he hears some anchovies talking about one of his stories. He tracks the story back home and arrives at school just as everyone else is leaving.
Tiddler explains hat happened and not everyone believes him, but still the stoy speads until it gets to a writer, which is how the book was written.
Reading this book as an adult, I'm not sure what t is supposed to teach children. On the one hand, Tiddler got into trouble because of his storytelling- getting caught because he was daydreaming- and no one comes to look for him because of his perpetual lateness. In the other hand, his stories are what help him to find his way back home.
Is this book suggesting that lying and story telling is a positive or negative thing? Perhaps hat question could be posed in class to begin a discussion.
Despite not knowing the moral of the story, this is a fascinating book and as I read it, I found myself wondering what would happen next.
The illustrations in the book are beautiful and I can see that children from Early Years to lower KS2 would enjoy the book in different contexts. It could be used as a basis for lessons in art, creative writing or PSHE.
January 30, 2013
A story of Tiddler the tiny fish, who everyday would dream up tall tales to tell his classmates why he was always late for school. Until one day his day dreaming got him lost and caught up in his very own tall tale; but luckily his tales help him find his way back home.
This is a wonderful tale of a little fish's underwater adventures told in rhythmic text with a rather relaxed lolloping rhyme accompanied by bright bold illustrations. Tiddler is a little fish with a big imagination who arrives late at fish school every day with a whopper of a reason why such as I was flying with a ray, I met a mermaid with a treasure chest at ashipwreck etc. Classmate little Johnny Dory loves Tiddler's tall tales so much he tells them to his granny and hence the stories spread far and wide.
One day as Tiddler dawdles along he gets caught in a net and so begins a real story of his own. Although the fishermen throw him straight back he is lost in the middle of the ocean amongst strange deep sea fish but then he hears one of his own stories and follows its trail home to the last double page for a finale with a bit of a difference.
My children 3,5 and 6 are all delighted with this new addition to our bookshelf and picked up immediately on the repetition of "Tiddler, Tiddler, Tiddler's LATE" and "Oh no (s)he didn't. Oh yes (s)he did," calling them out by the second read through. The littlest particularly loved the many different kinds of fish, and was delighted to spot the Gruffalo-fish lurking two-thirds the way through! Meanwhile, the picture of the author in her diving gear researching the story is a great talking point for the older child.
An absolute winner.
This is a wonderful tale of a little fish's underwater adventures told in rhythmic text with a rather relaxed lolloping rhyme accompanied by bright bold illustrations. Tiddler is a little fish with a big imagination who arrives late at fish school every day with a whopper of a reason why such as I was flying with a ray, I met a mermaid with a treasure chest at ashipwreck etc. Classmate little Johnny Dory loves Tiddler's tall tales so much he tells them to his granny and hence the stories spread far and wide.
One day as Tiddler dawdles along he gets caught in a net and so begins a real story of his own. Although the fishermen throw him straight back he is lost in the middle of the ocean amongst strange deep sea fish but then he hears one of his own stories and follows its trail home to the last double page for a finale with a bit of a difference.
My children 3,5 and 6 are all delighted with this new addition to our bookshelf and picked up immediately on the repetition of "Tiddler, Tiddler, Tiddler's LATE" and "Oh no (s)he didn't. Oh yes (s)he did," calling them out by the second read through. The littlest particularly loved the many different kinds of fish, and was delighted to spot the Gruffalo-fish lurking two-thirds the way through! Meanwhile, the picture of the author in her diving gear researching the story is a great talking point for the older child.
An absolute winner.
May 7, 2012
Tiddler is one of those special stories that seem to capture children’s attention immediately and keep it for the duration, while making them laugh a great deal throughout. Tiddler, the star of the book, is a little fish with a penchant for telling wild stories, usually involving some feat of heroism on his part. When Tiddler finds himself in very apparent danger, however, the reality seems much less enjoyable than the fiction.
Lost and far from home, Tiddler sees no way out of trouble. Yet, unbeknownst to him, his stories have spread further than he could have imagined. On hearing a fish recounting a tale he recognises as one of his own, Tiddler asks where the story came from. Following the tip, Tiddler finds himself a little closer to home and in earshot of another story he knows! Eventually, Tiddler makes it all the way back; with a real adventure tale to tell.
This story was perhaps the most requested in my year 1 class, despite the regularity with which it was read. A repetitive structure creates a certain rhythm that children find particularly engaging, while the colourful cartoony pictures give the book an eye catching appeal. Whilst I have used Tiddler predominantly as a treat, it would make an excellent source for an engaging guided reading session or as a muse for a drama activity.
Lost and far from home, Tiddler sees no way out of trouble. Yet, unbeknownst to him, his stories have spread further than he could have imagined. On hearing a fish recounting a tale he recognises as one of his own, Tiddler asks where the story came from. Following the tip, Tiddler finds himself a little closer to home and in earshot of another story he knows! Eventually, Tiddler makes it all the way back; with a real adventure tale to tell.
This story was perhaps the most requested in my year 1 class, despite the regularity with which it was read. A repetitive structure creates a certain rhythm that children find particularly engaging, while the colourful cartoony pictures give the book an eye catching appeal. Whilst I have used Tiddler predominantly as a treat, it would make an excellent source for an engaging guided reading session or as a muse for a drama activity.
June 8, 2012
By Julia Donaldson & Axel Scheffler
Tiddler is a little fish that “blows small bubbles but tells tall tales”. Every day he arrives late for fish school and every day his excuses is a taller tale. At school nobody really believes him except impressionable Little Johnny Dory, who is excited by his stories that he tells his granny, who in turn tells them to a plaice, and thus the stories are spread across the ocean. One day while dreaming up his next fantasy, he gets to live a real adventure of his own.
I love the illustrations by Scheffler in this book, so much to explore on each page, also very colourful, great visual. The story has a good rhythm and it should be read with rhythm otherwise it can fall flat. Probably best suited to EYFS, however, if you analyse the pictures in depth I feel you can draw more out. For example, the facial expressions from the different sea creatures to describe emotions and feelings.
Tiddler is a little fish that “blows small bubbles but tells tall tales”. Every day he arrives late for fish school and every day his excuses is a taller tale. At school nobody really believes him except impressionable Little Johnny Dory, who is excited by his stories that he tells his granny, who in turn tells them to a plaice, and thus the stories are spread across the ocean. One day while dreaming up his next fantasy, he gets to live a real adventure of his own.
I love the illustrations by Scheffler in this book, so much to explore on each page, also very colourful, great visual. The story has a good rhythm and it should be read with rhythm otherwise it can fall flat. Probably best suited to EYFS, however, if you analyse the pictures in depth I feel you can draw more out. For example, the facial expressions from the different sea creatures to describe emotions and feelings.
November 10, 2012
'Tiddler' is about a small story telling fish who is always late for class. Every time he has an extravagant tale to tell about his reasons. At the end Tiddler gets caught in a net and making his way back home he actually experiences most of the things that he had previously lied about. He hears a tale of his current endeavour and tries to find out where it came from realising it stemmed from his previous tales.
I enjoyed the book because it related back to the classroom environment yet was adventurous. I think that the book is suitable for KS1 advanced year 1, or year 2 readers it has an element of repetition, however is not predictable. Reading this to a year 2 class during story time had the children engaged and interested in what would happen next.
I believe that this book can be used in an English lesson applied to story writing. The children could use their imagination with inspiration from the book to expand with their own exciting tale that could be an addition to the book.
I enjoyed the book because it related back to the classroom environment yet was adventurous. I think that the book is suitable for KS1 advanced year 1, or year 2 readers it has an element of repetition, however is not predictable. Reading this to a year 2 class during story time had the children engaged and interested in what would happen next.
I believe that this book can be used in an English lesson applied to story writing. The children could use their imagination with inspiration from the book to expand with their own exciting tale that could be an addition to the book.
June 8, 2012
If you’re looking for a book that has a moral about honesty and not telling lies, this isn’t it — go get some other version of “The Boy Who Cried Wolf” instead. But if you’re looking for a book that celebrates the power of storytelling and fiction in a fun way, then read this book! I couldn’t help but think of the movie Finding Nemo here, with the little fish in school and an amazing story getting passed from one sea creature to another (you may remember that in Finding Nemo, a story gives little Nemo the courage to clog the filter so he could get home again; in this book, a story leads little Tiddler to trace his way back home again). The story is told in a gentle verse, and Joshua loved the repetitive elements. This is a great read-aloud story.
June 5, 2012
Tiddler is the story of a small fish that loves telling tales is always late to fish school for some reason. Tiddler has a very different imagination to everyone else in the book.
Then one day Tiddler gets caught in a net, although the fisherman throw him back in the sea he gets lost in the sea. How will Tiddler make it home now?
After telling so many tales it has finally caught up with him and he must find a way now to get home.
A great book with rhythmic text and the illustrations are all in detail which makes it lovely to read to the children.
This book would be ideal for children aged from 3-7 years.
Then one day Tiddler gets caught in a net, although the fisherman throw him back in the sea he gets lost in the sea. How will Tiddler make it home now?
After telling so many tales it has finally caught up with him and he must find a way now to get home.
A great book with rhythmic text and the illustrations are all in detail which makes it lovely to read to the children.
This book would be ideal for children aged from 3-7 years.
September 23, 2013
Tiddler tells the story of a very cheeky fish who is always late for school and who loves to make up stories… “Oh, no he didn’t!” “Oh yes he did!”
This charming book is a retake on the story of The Boy Who Cried Wolf, and enables the children to talk about right and wrong, truth and lies, good and bad.
It is particularly suited to young children from Reception age all the way up to upper KS1. It is a great book to keep in the classroom, filled with colours and eye-catching illustrations that encourages class participation. Children love it, and I loved it!
This charming book is a retake on the story of The Boy Who Cried Wolf, and enables the children to talk about right and wrong, truth and lies, good and bad.
It is particularly suited to young children from Reception age all the way up to upper KS1. It is a great book to keep in the classroom, filled with colours and eye-catching illustrations that encourages class participation. Children love it, and I loved it!
November 16, 2013
Another excellent story book from the children's literary duo of Donaldson and Shefffler. The rhymes encuorage children to join in and the fantastic illustrations keep all reception children captivated, espcecially as it may hold a mirror up to their own tale telling...USe it as part of a PSED topic around telling the truth or KUW for under the sea.
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