Matthew and Tilly (Picture Puffins) [Paperback]

Rebecca C. Jones (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 1, 1995 | Series: Picture Puffins

Like all good friends, Matthew and Tilly have an occasional tiff, but their friendship prevails despite their differences.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Matthew and Tilly live in the same neighborhood in the heart of a big city, and they do everything together: ride bikes, play street games, sell lemonade. But even the best of friends quarrel now and then--in this case, a broken purple crayon is the problem, and Matthew and Tilly go their separate ways. It is not long, though, before the two realize that everything is more fun when they have each other. Apologies come quickly and easily, and the two are "together again." This is not an unfamiliar tale, but it is told here with simple eloquence and poignancy. Text and illustrations are beautifully balanced: Peck's depiction of Matthew, sitting dejectedly on the stairs of his apartment building, seems to make the words "By himself" ring with loneliness. There can never be too many books about the importance of friendship and forgiveness--especially when they are of this caliber. The fact that Matthew is white and Tilly is African-American adds further merit to this exemplary effort. Ages 4-8.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 1-- Matthew and Tilly, a pair of inner-city kids, are close friends. They play and work together every day. But even the best of friends occasionally get on one another's nerves, and when a crayon breaks, so does the relationship. However, all that is needed is a cool-down period and soon Matthew and Tilly are back in favor with each other. This modest story line swells with the visual excitement of Peck's paintings. The dreary streets of a decaying city are depicted in somber shades and broad brush strokes, brightened here and there by the light on crates of sidewalk vegetables, or the bright red of vending machines. The gloom of their estrangement is feelingly pictured as Matthew sits alone in a dark, barren stairwell. These pictures seem to owe something to the post-Impressionist work of Paul Cezanne, but are by no means merely imitative or derivative. Their power lingers in the mind long after they have been seen. --Ruth Semrau, Lovejoy School, Allen, TX
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Puffin (December 1, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0140556400
• ISBN-13: 978-0140556407
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 7.5 x 0.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #368,504 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #51 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Teens > Health, Mind & Body > Sexuality

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Lesson in Friendship, June 22, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Matthew and Tilly (Picture Puffins) (Paperback)

Part of my job as an elementary teacher is to help my students understand how important it is to get along with each other. Matthew and Tilly, by Rebecca C. Jones is the perfect book to kick off a unit on FRIENDSHIP. The author immediately captures interest by telling about all the fun times that Matthew and Tilly share together, like rescuing a lady's kitten from a tree and selling lemonade. But, like most good friends, Matthew and Tilly had an argument so bad that they didn't speak to each other for days. Finally, they both say, "I'm sorry," and are friends again. This book is just right for young readers.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The illustrations and the story are wonderful, August 6, 2003

By 

Sarah E (Johnson City, TN) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Matthew and Tilly (Picture Puffins) (Paperback)

Matthew and Tilly are best friends, that is, until they get into a fight. Discovering that without the other, they're bored, they make up. The plot of the story helps young children who have difficulties understanding how to recover from a fight, and helps them to see that many children argue, not just themselves. The white-framed impressionistic paintings that fill each page portray a drab inner-city neighborhood and cause the focus to remain on the two main characters. Although the text flows below or within the images on most of the pages, while a fight separates Matthew and Tilly, the text sits on a stark, white page, hinting at the loneliness that each feels.

4.0 out of 5 stars Working it Out, July 25, 2011

By 

John Mullarkey "Edison Field" (Hillsborough, New Jersey United States) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Matthew and Tilly (Picture Puffins) (Paperback)

A simple story that is beautifully illustrated in a very retro fashion. The story is a simple one - two young friends have a disagreement and must deal with the fact that each person sometimes might not agree with one another - sparse text emphasizes the simplicity of childhood - not much dialogue is needed. The kids wok it out as kids normally do: true friendship is strong and it is normal to sometimes 'not get along'. A simple, good lesson -- great for character education lessons in the classroom.