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< Picture Books Library
Little Parachutes Gold Star Winner
Categories: Curiosity & Creativity, Gratitude, Holidays & Travel, Non-traditional Families

Tilly’s At Home Holiday

This picture book acknowledges that not every child is able to go on holiday and shows that it is possible to have fun at home for free with a little bit of creativity and imagination.
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Tilly's At Home Holiday

Author: Gillian Hibbs
Illustrator: Gillian Hibbs
Publisher: Child's Play

Tilly’s friends are all going to exciting places on their holidays, but she is staying at home.

Tilly is feeling a bit ‘down in the dumps’ as she seems to be the only one in her friendship group not going away on holiday. Her mum tells her that they will have just as much fun at home, and Tilly feels hopeful that something exciting may be about to happen.

Mum has dreamed up some brilliant experiences for the two of them to share together: breakfast in bed, visiting the library on the bus to explore some wonderfully adventurous books, a picnic in a ‘secret hideaway in the park’, diving for hidden treasure in the public swimming pool and finding intriguing exotic objects on market stalls. Best of all, the day is rounded up with some magnificent den building using sheets, towels and blankets. Mum and Tilly snuggle in the tent and tell stories all night.

Tilly’s ‘stay-at-home holiday’ has made her so happy, and she can’t wait to share her wonderful adventures with her friends.

Gillian Hibbs has created an inspiring, positive story which features a single-parent family. The illustrations are colourful and appealing with lots of lovely details to look at.

This video link is provided to help an adult assess the book's suitability for a child's situation before purchasing it. It has been filmed by a third party and hosted on YouTube and is not made by Little Parachutes. More info

The messages we found in this book:

Acknowledgement:

  • It is easy for a child to feel jealous and resentful of their friends if they perceive them to have something they don’t have. Tilly notices that her friends all seem to be going on holiday when she can’t, which makes her feel ‘down in the dumps’.

Guidance:

  • Children cherish and enjoy dedicated time spent with a loved one doing simple activities. This can ultimately be more rewarding and fun than going on an exotic, expensive holiday.
  • Simple treats can be very exciting, particularly with an added sprinkling of creativity and imagination.
  • There are lots of activities that are free or low-cost, such as picnics, visiting the library and making dens.

Hope & Inspiration:

  • Tilly is an optimist: despite the fact that she is upset that she can’t go on holiday, she remains hopeful that something exciting is going to happen.
  • She has a wonderful ‘stay-at-home’ holiday with her mum and can’t wait to tell her friends about it.
  • Tilly shares her newly experienced activities with her friends and they have fun and benefit from them too.
Review by: Claire Ward-Dutton

Categories: Curiosity & Creativity, Gratitude, Holidays & Travel, Non-traditional Families
Tags: jealousy, poverty, single parent



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What is a Parachute Book?

A challenging experience can make a young child feel as if they are in emotional free fall. As a parent, you can’t stop them falling, but you can offer them a softer landing:
a Parachute Book.

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The information provided on the Little Parachutes website is not a substitute for professional care by a qualified practitioner, and is not intended to provide medical advice. If you are concerned about the health and wellbeing of yourself or children in your care, you should always consult an appropriate healthcare professional.