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Presenting...Tallulah
New York Times bestselling author Tori Spelling's debut picture book!
All her life, Tallulah has heard what she’s not supposed to Don’t get dirty…don’t talk loudly… don’t wear jeans like all the other kids. “You’re not that kind of girl,” everybody keeps telling her. Tallulah knows plenty about what she can’t do and what she shouldn’t do, about what kind of girl she isn’t. But it’s up to her to figure out what kind of girl she is. New York Times bestselling author Tori Spelling and illustrator Vanessa Newton bring us the story of a spunky little girl who, with the help of some special friends, is able to discover exactly who she is.
All her life, Tallulah has heard what she’s not supposed to Don’t get dirty…don’t talk loudly… don’t wear jeans like all the other kids. “You’re not that kind of girl,” everybody keeps telling her. Tallulah knows plenty about what she can’t do and what she shouldn’t do, about what kind of girl she isn’t. But it’s up to her to figure out what kind of girl she is. New York Times bestselling author Tori Spelling and illustrator Vanessa Newton bring us the story of a spunky little girl who, with the help of some special friends, is able to discover exactly who she is.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published September 21, 2010
2 people are currently reading
201 people want to read
About the author
Tori Spelling
11 books339 followersVictoria Davey "Tori" Spelling is an American actress. She is known for being Aaron Spelling's daughter and for her role as Donna Martin in the 1990s teen soap opera Beverly Hills, 90210.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
August 21, 2022
“I just really liked this book.” -Ella
February 14, 2025
This book is well done. It’s a nice read. The sad part is I think it’s mostly autobiographical. Tori Spelling was raised by one of the richest men in media and had everything she could want but nothing she did want. I have unfortunately watched things happen in her life due to media that while this book is lovely it makes me incredibly sad for her.
May 6, 2024
My daughter grabbed this one herself from the library as well. It was a cute read by the actress Tori Spelling and I feel like it was probably a bit telling of her childhood. It was kind of sad at the beginning where Tallulah didn’t get to do anything fun and wasn’t like the other kids. I’m glad she met a new friend, well two and then got to be a kid.
We would recommend this read.
We would recommend this read.
January 23, 2020
I love that this book presented a different perspective.
July 25, 2025
When reading this book you can tell this was Tori’s childhood cry for help. Glad she got to write a children’s book to heal her inner child. The illustrations were so cute and whimsical.
October 7, 2014
Tallulah is not supposed to get dirty. Or talk loudly. Or make a mess. She isn't that kind of girl. Tallulah can't wear jeans or sneakers to school or keep her hair down or do any of the other things that the other kids do every day.
According to her parents, Tallulah is special and that makes her different. But Tallulah doesn't want to be different. It's hard to have fun or make friends when everyone is busy telling you the things you can do because you're different.
When Max, the new boy in school, stands up for Tallulah (and assists with a risky pug puppy rescue) Tallulah starts to see that sometimes being different can be okay. And most of the time the best of friends like you just the way you are in Presenting . . . Tallulah (September 2010) by Tori Spelling* and Vanessa Brantley Newton.
There are a lot of books about being different learning that it's okay to be yourself even if that might mean being a little silly, or weird, or not mosterly. Some of them are quite bad using cliches and heavy handed writing to convey their message while ultimately creating major issues in the story.
Presenting Tallulah has none of those problems. This was a delightful story about a little girl many kids can relate to. Maybe not everyone goes to school in a limo, but who hasn't been told to be quiet and not get dirty? This story captures that (and Tallulah's rather . . . opulent . . . . lifestyle) without making it a big thing. Tallulah is who she is and, as she learns, that's okay. I liked that instead of beating readers over the head with this message, it's just at the core of the text.
Newton's illustrations are also fantastic. The style is reminiscent of illustrations by Lauren Child (of Charlie and Lola fame) which probably means a similar medium (that I am unequipped to identify) is being used here. It's no secret that Tallulah is based on Tori Spelling. And Newton captures that while combining broad strokes and line work to create intricate illustrations that bring Tallulah's world to life.
Presenting Tallulah is sure to be a fun addition to any story time with simple, short sentences and a well-paced plot. Hopefully this charmer won't be the last to feature Tallulah, Max and Mimi.
*With contributions by Hilary Liftin who is apparently a ghostwriter. I could get into who actually "wrote" the book or the recent number of celebrities putting pen to paper. But I'm not going to because this book deserves better and is more than able to stand on its own with or without is celebrity author.
Possible Pairings: Bark, George by Jules Feffer, Mostly Monsterly by Tammi Sauer and Scott Magoon, For Pete's Sake by Ellen Stoll Walsh
According to her parents, Tallulah is special and that makes her different. But Tallulah doesn't want to be different. It's hard to have fun or make friends when everyone is busy telling you the things you can do because you're different.
When Max, the new boy in school, stands up for Tallulah (and assists with a risky pug puppy rescue) Tallulah starts to see that sometimes being different can be okay. And most of the time the best of friends like you just the way you are in Presenting . . . Tallulah (September 2010) by Tori Spelling* and Vanessa Brantley Newton.
There are a lot of books about being different learning that it's okay to be yourself even if that might mean being a little silly, or weird, or not mosterly. Some of them are quite bad using cliches and heavy handed writing to convey their message while ultimately creating major issues in the story.
Presenting Tallulah has none of those problems. This was a delightful story about a little girl many kids can relate to. Maybe not everyone goes to school in a limo, but who hasn't been told to be quiet and not get dirty? This story captures that (and Tallulah's rather . . . opulent . . . . lifestyle) without making it a big thing. Tallulah is who she is and, as she learns, that's okay. I liked that instead of beating readers over the head with this message, it's just at the core of the text.
Newton's illustrations are also fantastic. The style is reminiscent of illustrations by Lauren Child (of Charlie and Lola fame) which probably means a similar medium (that I am unequipped to identify) is being used here. It's no secret that Tallulah is based on Tori Spelling. And Newton captures that while combining broad strokes and line work to create intricate illustrations that bring Tallulah's world to life.
Presenting Tallulah is sure to be a fun addition to any story time with simple, short sentences and a well-paced plot. Hopefully this charmer won't be the last to feature Tallulah, Max and Mimi.
*With contributions by Hilary Liftin who is apparently a ghostwriter. I could get into who actually "wrote" the book or the recent number of celebrities putting pen to paper. But I'm not going to because this book deserves better and is more than able to stand on its own with or without is celebrity author.
Possible Pairings: Bark, George by Jules Feffer, Mostly Monsterly by Tammi Sauer and Scott Magoon, For Pete's Sake by Ellen Stoll Walsh
May 19, 2011
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A Life Bound By Books
Presenting… Tallulah is a cute story with fabulous illustrations about a little girl who is told everything that she’s not supposed to do because she’s “Special” or “Not that kind of girl”. It’s as she makes her way through life at home and school that she starts to come out from behind all those “don’ts. She doesn’t want to be special; she just wants to be like all the other kids. It’s then that she makes a new friend, rescues a little pug puppy and changes the views of everyone around her.
I can see many parts of this story ringing true to Tori’s life and while most kids don’t go to school in a limo it’s fair to say that every kid can relate to being told to be quiet and even at times not get dirty.
I more than loved the illustrations. I felt that the combination of the message in the story and the art that I believe kids will love reading this book over and over again. I’m looking forward to sharing this with my niece soon, I know she’ll love it and it’ll become a favorite.
Presenting… Tallulah is a cute story with fabulous illustrations about a little girl who is told everything that she’s not supposed to do because she’s “Special” or “Not that kind of girl”. It’s as she makes her way through life at home and school that she starts to come out from behind all those “don’ts. She doesn’t want to be special; she just wants to be like all the other kids. It’s then that she makes a new friend, rescues a little pug puppy and changes the views of everyone around her.
I can see many parts of this story ringing true to Tori’s life and while most kids don’t go to school in a limo it’s fair to say that every kid can relate to being told to be quiet and even at times not get dirty.
I more than loved the illustrations. I felt that the combination of the message in the story and the art that I believe kids will love reading this book over and over again. I’m looking forward to sharing this with my niece soon, I know she’ll love it and it’ll become a favorite.
August 11, 2011
For a "princess-y" book, this one was pretty good. Plus, ever since watching Cool Runnings, I've loved the name Tallulah. I even had a sock puppet named Tallulah.
Tallulah is different. She can't get dirty or make messes, because she is "not that kind of girl." Her parents remind her of this often.
The kids at school makes fun of her because she is different there, too: she arrives to school in a limo, wears fancy dresses and pretty shoes.
One day, she meets a new boy, Max, who was "different" too. He wore fancy clothes and didn't get muddy either. They come across a small dog, stranded on a log in the middle of a pond. Tallulah will has to use what she's got to try to save the dog--even though saving a dog isn't "something a girl like her should do."
Tallulah is different. She can't get dirty or make messes, because she is "not that kind of girl." Her parents remind her of this often.
The kids at school makes fun of her because she is different there, too: she arrives to school in a limo, wears fancy dresses and pretty shoes.
One day, she meets a new boy, Max, who was "different" too. He wore fancy clothes and didn't get muddy either. They come across a small dog, stranded on a log in the middle of a pond. Tallulah will has to use what she's got to try to save the dog--even though saving a dog isn't "something a girl like her should do."
January 21, 2011
First I will confess that I am a Tori Spelling fan. I watch her reality TV show and follow her on Twitter. And she's a delightful and very down to earth person. Normally I hate celebrity books, but this one is actually cute and not pedantic or self-serving. It's a simple a sweet tale of a poor little rich girl who really wants to get dirty and have fun and be like normal kids. I also love pugs and know that Tori's beloved pug was named "mimi" so that's a sweet touch. A nice story about being yourself.
October 9, 2011
This was a cute little book written by Tori Spelling. I can't help but wonder if it was about her life as a child. It shows an interesting perspective because Tallulah has the life you would think every girl would want, but she's still treated differently and kids aren't very nice to her at school because of it. In the end, Tallulah ends up standing up to her family and the kids at school to show them who she really is, and she is much happier because of it.
September 29, 2011
This is a great book to talk about individuality. We can talk about how its important to be yourself and not follow what everyone else is doing. I would also use this book to talk about how important it is for students to accept who they are and where they come from.
Sara Boone Read Alound
Sara Boone Read Alound
November 27, 2011
A cute story for little girls. I can definitely see a parallel between Tori Spelling's childhood and Tallulah, not to mention Mimi! I really enjoyed this story and the way it shows that children will be who they are inside, no matter what anyone tries to tell them. It's a great lesson to be yourself no matter what others think.
October 21, 2013
This is a book that I can use to guide and promote social emotioanal skills in the classroom. Help children identify who they are.
LE. Each child will have a cues of a picture of a body and each child will draw or write something that they like to wear or use.
LE. Each child will have a cues of a picture of a body and each child will draw or write something that they like to wear or use.
September 21, 2015
This was a really cute book with a great message about being yourself, even if you're a rich girl who isn't supposed to get dirty. The illustrations are great for this short story and was fun to read. My favorite part about reading this book aloud is saying the name Tallulah.
July 22, 2016
this was an ok kids book. the girl wasn't supposed to do anything a normal kid would do and gets yelled at by her parents if she does and gets made fun of by her classmates if she doesn't. you can take this book or leave it. the illustrations were very good though.
September 24, 2010
Simple and cute. Isn't it her auto-biography???
October 1, 2010
Tori Spelling's version of poor little rich girl? Cry me a river.
October 21, 2010
Cute Story!!
October 23, 2010
This was a cute book to read with my little girl. She loved the pictures. It was a fun read with a simple message for parents to listen to their kids.
January 4, 2011
Blech. I gave it an extra star because I did like the illustrations but the story....lackluster to say the least.
February 13, 2011
Loved the illustrations!
May 23, 2011
Found it a little depressing to read to my four year old, but its a good story.
Read
April 19, 2012No matter what you may think of Tori Spelling, I actually found this to be a cute book. And my daughter liked it, too. I could find lots of similarities between Tallulah & Tori herself.
May 22, 2012
Adorable pics. A little repetitive...pretty much her life!
May 22, 2012
Super cute book both for adults and for children!
Want to read
July 7, 2012I loved it!!
November 21, 2012
Cute for my girls
February 11, 2016
This is so cute! About a girl trying to fit in & find the courage to be herself. Excellent.
November 1, 2010
I read this at Target - the story is dumb, but the illustrations are really cute :)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews