Tillie and the Wall

This book is out of print. Raggedy library editions are selling for a fortune. Anything in better condition is exhorbitantly priced. I never dreamed that I would get a book in excellent condition at a reasonable price. After looking for months, I am finally able to give my daughter her favorite Lionni book for Christmas.

The mice who live near the wall never question it except for Tillie. A book about the importance of qualities like curiosity, tenacity, and leadership, made even more perfect by the fact that the main character is female. Beautifully crafted pictures. Short enough to keep the attention of a two-year old all the way to the end.

When I was an elementary school teacher, Leo Lionni was my favorite authors to study. Of his vast works, Tillie and the Wall ranks up there for me. Lionni tells the story of a mouse's quest to venture beyond a wall that she has known all her life. His language is sophisticated (not watered down for young readers) and his collage artwork gives a feel of real movement and emotion, yet the story is simple enough for little ones to appreciate. I highly recommend this book and other Leo Lionni titles. Almost all of Leo Lionni's children's books deal with conflicts that kids can relate to (trying hard, being different, loneliness, fear, teasing) and they carry messages about individuality, dreaming big, or helping others.

It's amazing how one can forget how really good a child's book can be written, until you read a truly great book. Leo Lionni is a great writer of children's books and this is a great book. You too, could be the mouse who dreams beyond the wall and discovers what is on the other side.