Tilly in a Tangle (Margrete Lamond, illus Monty Lee, Dirt Lane Press)

Tilly in a Tangle, written by Margrete Lamond (The Sorry Tale of Fox and Bear) and illustrated by Monty Lee (Grumpy Bear, Grouchy Bear), is a new picture book about trusting your instincts when things go awry. Tilly is a careful captain who navigates tricky waters and quickly fixes any snaggles to keep her boat afloat, with the guidance of some friends from the shore. That is, until some dirty ditch-water upends things and sends her hurtling towards who-knows-where. While Frog and Duck get flustered, Tilly manages to keep a cool head, and in stillness, she is able to find her way. The gentle message of this book will be useful to young readers who struggle with difficult emotions such as frustration, panic and fear. Lamond’s story encourages calmness in the face of unavoidable obstacles and finding the confidence to forge your own path. Lee’s illustrations match perfectly with the text, conveying the movement of swirling water and Tilly’s determined look as she solves problems. The childlike simplicity and colouring of the images give the book a handmade feel and will appeal to those aged 3+. Filled with unexpected language choices, including clever onomatopoeia and tongue-twisting alliteration, Tilly in a Tangle will make a joyful read-aloud for families.

Books+Publishing reviewer: Karys McEwen is a librarian, bookseller, author and the vice president of CBCA VIC Branch. Books+Publishing is Australia’s number-one source of pre-publication book reviews.

Category: Friday Unlocked reviews Reviews