Customer Reviews

Matthew and Tilly (Picture Puffins)

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

The story is very realistic - two friends have a stupid, pointless squabble and make up when they've calmed down. It's told in a very easy, simple (not too preachy) way.

I'm not a fan of the artwork, though. The style and the colors chosen make the whole thing look muddy and drab to me, and not particularly engaging.