Tilda Tries Again; Tom Percival

Tilda Tries Again is the latest addition to the ‘Big Bright Feelings’ collection by author and illustrator Tom Percival. The first thing I thought when I saw cover of this book was that Tilda is a striking resemblance to my niece, with a mass of curly red hair, freckles dotting her face and a cheeky grin they could be twins.

Everything in Tilda’s world is perfect, she has friends to laugh with, books to read and toys to play with. Then one day, everything is different and nothing is quite right, Tilda’s world has been turned UPSIDE DOWN. Things that had once been easy are now incredibly difficult and Tilda doesn’t feel like doing anything. Can she find a way to turn her frown upside down and start enjoying life again…

Tilda Tries Again is another superb picture book from the master of helping children understand everyday emotions. Percival has a wonderful way of exploring those ‘big feelings’ that all children experience through brilliant stories and in his latest book he helps young children to keep trying, to believe in themselves and to never give-up.

Everyone has bad days as life inevitably throws up its fair share of bumps in the road that unexpectedly knock us off course, disrupt our plans or upset our perfect little world. These difficult moments can often make us feel like hiding away and giving up as everything becomes overwhelming and too much of a struggle, this is exactly what Tilda experiences. We never know exactly why Tilda’s world is turned upside down (which literally happens in the pictures), but what we do know is that the life and colour (again literally) is sucked out of her world. Despite wanting to give-up, Tilda is able to refocus, dust herself down and, after being inspired by a ladybird who successfully overcomes its own bad day, gets on with embracing life and doing all of the things that she loves. By the end of it, readers, just like Tilda, will see that it is far better to try and overcome challenges rather than hide away from them.

We all want children to be resilient and to have the confidence and self-assurance to deal with all of life’s challenges, with books like this and authors like Tom Percival readers are in very safe and assured hands. Expert storytelling, a clever use of colour to show feelings and a brilliant protagonist will help all children develop that oh so talked about ‘can do’ attitude! It is a great addition to every young child’s bookshelf and will be warmly received by parents and teachers wanting to support children in developing a positive mentality. There is even a lovely foreword from Tom that includes great tips for when you’re feeling low.

A wonderfully uplifting story with fantastic messages on resilience, perseverance and persistence!

With huge thanks to Bloomsbury Publishing for this fabulous book.

Recommended for 4+.