Tillie & the Wall

by Leo Lionni

A timeless fable about unity and breaking down barriers, from four-time Caldecott Honor-winner Leo Lionni.

All her life Tillie the mouse has wondered what lies on the other side of the wall. Imagining all sorts of fantastic possibilities, she digs a tunnel to get to the other side, where she discovers . . . other mice, just like her! Together, Tillie and her friends work to bring down the wall and unite mouse-kind. Written just before the fall of the Berlin wall, this seemingly simple fable has a powerful message for all children—and all people.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Animals, Fiction, Spanish Literature, 2nd Grade, 1st Grade

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1989

About the author

Leo Lionni wrote and illustrated more than 40 highly acclaimed children's books. He received the 1984 American Institute of Graphic Arts Gold Medal and was a four-time Caldecott Honor Winner--for Inch by Inch, Frederick, Swimmy, and Alexander and the Wind-Up Mouse. Leo Lionni died in October of 1999 at his home in Tuscany, Italy, at the age of 89.

Leo Lionni has gained international renown for his paintings, graphic designs, illustrations, and sculpture, as well as for his books for children. He was born in Holland in 1910 of Dutch parents, and although his education did not include formal art courses (in fact, he has a doctorate in economics from the University of Genoa), he spent much of his free time as a child in Amsterdam's museums, teaching himself to draw.

Lionni's business training gradually receded into the background as his interest in art and design grew. Having settled in Milan soon after his marriage in 1931, he started off by writing about European architecture for a local magazine. It was there that he met the contacts who were to give him a start as a professional graphic designer. When he moved to America in 1939, Lionni was hired by a Philadelphia advertising agency as art director. Later he became design director for the Olivetti Corporation of America, and then art director for Fortune magazine. At the same time, his reputation as an artist flourished as he began to exhibit his paintings and drawings in galleries from New York to Japan.

Lionni launched his career as an author/illustrator of books for children in 1959. Originally developed from a story he had improvised for his grandchildren during a dull train ride, Little Blue and Little Yellow was the first of what is now a long list of children's picture books, including four Caldecott Honor Books.

Reviews

[معصومه توکلی · Rating 5 out of 5]

عنوان ترجمهٔ فارسی: پشت دیوار بلند

[Chelsea · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought I knew all of Lionni's books, but apparently I missed this one as a kid, because it was completely new to me when it came into the store last week. The illustrations, as always, were wonderful.

Mostly I'm reviewing this one because I'm dying to know if this was where the band Tilly and the Wall got their name. The internet doesn't seem to think so, but ... they must have, right? It's fact in my head now. :)

[Emerson School Library · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love that the free thinkers and outsiders in Lionni's books always win out because the others around them appreciate their quirks and their art. They're visionaries whose curiosity pays off because the others in their communities are their best selves. It makes for an awfully nice read-aloud.

[Wetdryvac Wetdryvac · Rating 3 out of 5]

Anti-nationalism? Exploration? I dunno. Not a bad book though.

[Russell · Rating 3 out of 5]

While the seemingly obvious comparison would be to the wall in A Game of Thrones, ultimately the anthropological effect of the wall is more like the dust cloud around Krikkit in Life, the Universe and Everything. Unlike the wall in the prematurely canceled Almost Human, Tillie is able to find out what's on the other side. Unlike the Krikkiters, Tillie's mice don't bludgeon the other mice to death but instead celebrate their arrival with confetti.

But what's really going on here? The rainbow rock's importance is obvious, with even the narrator calling attention to it. The rock from her imagination is on the other side of the wall, suggesting that perhaps the entire experience is a dream Tillie experiences while slowly suffocating, trapped under her tunnel as it collapses around her. Another possibility is that the rock has been made manifest by her desires, hinting at some sort of powers possessed by Tillie or purportedly possessed by all of us at the author's suggestion like some Creative Visualization: Use the Power of Your Imagination to Create What You Want in Your Life nonsense.

[Xinwen Xu · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book is also from Leo Lionni. I really like this story. It is so interesting! The story is talk about a mice named Tillie. He live with other mouses together, and there is a wall Tillie want to know more about is . She begin to think a lot of ways in order to see the other side. For example, she told her friends let us try to climb, but the wall is very high. The they try to make a hole to peep through, but they give up finally because they are so exhausted, there are plenty of hard stone. Next, they decided to walk, but the wall apparently had no end. Tillie is so disappointment. But one day, she sees a worm digging itself into the black earth, she think she can study the worm, so she begin to dig. This time she is successful. She is surprised that in the other side of the wall, there are a lot of regular mice. They are so excited, and give Tillie a good welcome party. Then they followed Tillie through the tunnel, they also want to see what the other side is like. Two sides' mice become very good friends, and they cannot forget Tillie is the first one showed them the way.
In this book, the theme is about exploration and friendship. Tillie is a curious mouse, she leads other mice use a lot of ways try to see the other side of the wall. In this process, they suffer from failures many times, but they do not give up, finally, they get a happy ending. I really like the theme, the author want to express we should have the spirit of innovation and do not give up your dream.Children can study a lot of things from the book.

[Laura Brower · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lio Lionni's words and illustrations combine to create a powerful story about a small creature.
Tillie, the youngest and most curious mouse of her nest, finds herself fascinated by the large wall that encircles them. With admirable determination, Tillie takes the initiative to discover what is on the other side. Throughout the picture book, young readers will follow Tillie as she never gives up and ultimately completes her goal when she finally reaches the other side.

Lionni's illustrations frame an upbeat, cheery tone as he uses images that elicit large levels of texture.
Children will enjoy observing the animated mice participate in the lively events as well, and the wall's emphasis captures mystery and excitement. All in all, young readers will highly enjoy this storybook and become filled with inspiration!

[Karin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well, think of when someone asks you if your dog is smart,and you answer that he's sweet, that's how I feel about this book. It was predictable to the point of being cliche', however, I have to applaud Lionni for allowing one of his beloved mice the courage to find the answer to her own question, and not accepting the status quo. In her quest to find what is on the other side of the wall she has lived with all her life, we are presented with three full-page spreads of delightful illustrations. Additionally, I was glad for the little mouse who wasn't going to let "that's the way it's always been", deter her from finding out about her world, as will the young readers be for whom this book is intended.

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

What seems predictable and cliche is often fresh and new for children, and Leo Lionni had a true gift for infusing his books with gentle messages of hope and acceptance that are always fresh and never trite. It helps if course that his illustrations are so beautiful, perfectly illustrating the mood and theme of each character and place on every page. It is important for adults to keep in mind that sometimes cliches are there for a reason, and to try to look at the lessons in a book written for children with the freshness of its intended audience. I think you will find that Lionni succeeds in making the effort worthwhile.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was a little boring. I found the plot predictable (not that I knew what was on the other side of the wall, but I knew Tillie would find it.) The ending wasn't surprising and I felt like the story was kind of bland. I would only recommend reading if you were a die-hard Lionni fan.

*Taken from my book reviews blog: http://reviewsatmse.blogspot.com/2011...

[Connie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a sweet story (most of Lionni's stories are sweet, aren't they?) about a mouse and... well, yes, a wall : )

She works hard to get over the wall, or around the wall, or through the wall... until finally she realizes she can go UNDER it, and she's hailed as a hero for ever.

I don't know why Lionni's stories are so good, there's not much too them, but they... they last.

[Janet]

Tillie wonders what is on the other side of the Wall and pictures a fantastical world there. When Tillie finds a way to get to the other side, she finds another world that is extraordinary in its ordinariness.

Age: 2+

Skill: Narrative Skills (This book has a well-defined problem that is solved by the end. Children can talk about the problem, how it was solved, and the final outcome.)

[Pinn]

I learned about Lionni and his beautiful art. Now I am reading all the others.

[Sarah Goodwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book encourages students to dream, and then persevere to achieve those dreams! It is an inspiring book that would be great for a read aloud.

[Anna Wick · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my favorite books because it encourages students to see whats on "the other side". It encourages them to do something they've never done before.

[Molly · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was alright- some promising artwork inside, even if the story was so-so.

[Marjorie · Rating 4 out of 5]

huh. i thought i had every book by leo lionni, and then found this in the library. it was written before the fall of the Berlin wall. a sweetly simple yet powerful fable

[Suzanne Hlotke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everyone in the USA should read this book before Donald Trump has all copies collected and destroyed.

[Dane Cobain · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought this because a band’s named after it.

[Edward Sojuwa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tillie is a female mouse who with her other mousey friends are faced with the challenge of a big wall made of stone. All attempts to get thru the wall have failed (a mousey gnawing thru the bricks would likely get big time dental surgery!) It's Tillie, though, who figures out the solution: why go THROUGH when you can go UNDERNEATH! A female mouse, mind you, did this, and in this book--gasp! -- no male mouseys are jealous! In fact, they honor her for her bravery! How cool is THAT? Cooler still: this kid's book was written with love.... by a MAN! It takes a female to break down walls that separate the genders. If we can learn from women, maybe us guys can do the same. If a mouse can get under and beyond a brick wall, imagine both men and women shattering the "glass ceiling"! There's always hope. Always.
Four stars
Tillie is a true MOUSEY SUE!

[Liasanya Leseratte · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dieses Buch habe ich als Kind von meinem Patenonkel geschenkt bekommen und fand es schön. Ich kannte von Leo Lionni die Geschichte von frederic und auch hier ist der hauptcharakter eine Maus namens Tillie. Die Maus und ihre Freunde sind von einer Mauer umgeben und die neugierige tillie möchte gerne wissen, was auf der anderen Seite der Mauer ist. Mutig probiert sie alles mögliche aus und gelangt schließlich zum Ziel. Ein brandaktuelles Thema (auch für Erwachsene) neugierig zu bleiben und sich auch nicht immer den gegebenen Umständen unterzuordnen. Außerdem natürlich zu einer Zeit entstanden, wo es die Mauer in Deutschland noch gab und diese Geschichte einen symbolträchtigen Charakter zum Aufbruch hatte.

[K. McDevitt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading this story was part of our church service today. The service was run by our senior youth, so having a child reading this story to us was extra powerful. Tillie is the youngest little mouse in the group, who wonders what's on the other side of a giant wall. The other mice don't even seem to notice it until Tillie points it out. And then it's Tillie who persists until she figures out how to reach the other side. That sort of curiosity and bravery is something I don't have and greatly admire. And I love that it resulted in something so wonderful for the mice in this story.

I have read other books by the author, so the illustration style is familiar and fun.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have hopes that if enough children read this book, our world can become more unified in some ways. I think this is one of the more effective of Lionni's fables. I mean, they're all worth reading, but in some the message isn't quite as clear or convincing.

[Jessamine Holbrook · Rating 3 out of 5]

A story about persistence and keeping your wonder when a task is tough. Tillie never gave up trying to find out what was on the other side of the wall and tried many innovative ways. She did not get upset or give up and eventually found what she was looking for.

[The Transmuted Tree · Rating 3 out of 5]

Red 2nd

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some of Leo Lionni's cutest mice make another appearance in Tillie and the Wall. Definitely some potential for allegory here!

[Nancy Messina · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was cute enough but again just didn’t hold my kids attention for long.

[Krista · Rating 5 out of 5]

A cute little story about a curious mouse and his discovery!

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

A simple story with magnificent drawing 🥰

[kanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

☆☆☆☆.5/5

cute & unexpected. i really liked the artwork !