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Tilly and Friends
Doodle Bites
The inspired Polly Dunbar wraps up her series about Tilly and Friends with two beguiling new adventures.
When Doodle the alligator is feeling bitey, the backside of Tumpty the elephant looks very tempting. But now Tumpty is sore — in more ways than one — and promptly stamps on Doodle’s tail. No wonder everyone’s upset! Luckily, the friends agree to apologize, and all is well — at least until Doodle starts to feel bitey again. . . .
When Doodle the alligator is feeling bitey, the backside of Tumpty the elephant looks very tempting. But now Tumpty is sore — in more ways than one — and promptly stamps on Doodle’s tail. No wonder everyone’s upset! Luckily, the friends agree to apologize, and all is well — at least until Doodle starts to feel bitey again. . . .
32 pages, Hardcover
First published September 1, 2009
59 people want to read
About the author
Polly Dunbar
81 books51 followersPolly Dunbar is the author-illustrator of many children’s books, including DOG BLUE, PENGUIN, and six stories featuring Tilly and Friends. She is also the illustrator of David Almond’s MY DAD'S A BIRDMAN. Polly Dunbar lives in Brighton, England.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
April 27, 2022
Doodle the alligator wakes up one morning feeling "bitey," in this fifth entry in Polly Dunbar's Tilly and Friends picture-book series, which features the adventures of six best friends - Tilly the girl, Hector the pig, Pru the hen, Tumpty the elephant, Doodle the alligator, and Tiptoe the rabbit - who all live together in a little yellow house. Chomping her way through breakfast, the mail, the couch, and the lamp, Doodle eventually sees something else that looks biteable. Unfortunately, it's not really a good idea to bite an elephant's bottom...
Appealing mixed-media illustrations, and simple narratives, with only a few words per page, make this a wonderful series for very young reader-listeners. Adults probably won't find much to engage them in the stories, but children will appreciate their sense of hilarity and fun.
Appealing mixed-media illustrations, and simple narratives, with only a few words per page, make this a wonderful series for very young reader-listeners. Adults probably won't find much to engage them in the stories, but children will appreciate their sense of hilarity and fun.
November 21, 2016
A very cute, fun story about feeling rather bitey. Great to teach kids not to hurt others and how to help friends in need.
September 10, 2020
This book has amazing illustrations and a cute story about a dinosaur who is feeling rather “bitey”. This book would be good to teach children about friendship, being nice to others, and the consequences of their actions.
December 23, 2019
Kivoja piirustuksia ja vauhdikas tarina ja monta eri sanaa keksitty puremiselle.
February 23, 2018
Doodle lives in a little yellow house with his friends. This morning, Doodle woke up in a bitey mood! Nibbling, munching, chomping, crunching, chewing, everything that she could find. And then Doodle spied something extra special she wanted to bite, Tumpy's bottom!
This story is a sweet and funny story about biting, and how it is not OK to bite. It's a good story to read to toddlers that are in a biting stage or to talk about empathy and what friends should and shouldn't do to one another when their feelings get hurt.
This story is a sweet and funny story about biting, and how it is not OK to bite. It's a good story to read to toddlers that are in a biting stage or to talk about empathy and what friends should and shouldn't do to one another when their feelings get hurt.
May 28, 2019
Toisinaan sitä herää päivään sillä tuulella, että tekee mieli haukata jotain - ja ehkä jotain muutakin! Mutta on tärkeää muistaa, ettei kaveria saa satuttaa. Ei edes silloin, kun kaveri satuttaa sinua ensiksi. Tässä kirjassa käydään läpi siis tärkeitä ja olennaisia kaveritaitoja.
August 2, 2023
Story 4
Illustrations 4
Illustrations 4
March 15, 2017
I liked the art style here a lot and I loved the random cruelty of the Crocodile needing to bite Tumpty the elephant's big ass, as well as the other character's need for vengeance. The resolution was all too nicey nicey for me though and I wonder if Tilly really needed to put a stop to the violence with her moralizing when the other animals were already policing themselves? Mixed feelings, wouldn't buy the book for a kid, but wouldn't keep it from them either. This one doesn't have as much to offer adults.
February 28, 2011
Littlebug’s Snoozing on the Job(My 2 year old daughter's opinion): “Yep, mom’s right, I’m sweepy! Ever since we got back from papa’s house I haven’t felt good, but I’m so happy I have my Tumppy (supposed to be Tumpty). My daddy gave him to me for my birfday and he is with me all the time.
“My favorite book out of all of these is always Where’s Tumppy? because it has my favorite animal ever in it,’phant! ‘Phants are the best because they have big floppy ears and they are perfect for hugging. In this book Tumppy tries to hide under a box and then behind some other things only he’s too big and everyone keeps laughing at him. By the end they all can’t find him because he’s found a great hiding place, which is also one of the bestest games ever, and they all laugh and play together. It’s so fun! I make my mom and daddy read it at least once a day, more if they will.
“Where’s Tumppy? is still my favorite, but I really like all the other books too. Good Night, Tiptoe is the best book to read before bed, I never want want to go to bed right away and neither does Tiptoe. And Pretty Pru is so funny because they all put on Pru’s makeup and look silly. Tilly and her friends are the bestest! You really should read these with a kiddo soon!”
Mom’s Two Cents: “Tilly and her friends are up to the usual; playing, dressing up, painting, hiding, reading, sleeping and much much more. Doing what kids do best and sometimes…what they don’t do so well; biting, yelling, pushing and other not to nice things. What Tilly does for her friends though is show them how to behave their very best and enjoy being together.
“This series, though not flashy with glitter and neon colors, is a stand out in my opinion. Without a doubt, over the last couple of months that we’ve been reading it both Littlebug and Turkeybird have wanted to read each book over and over again, more than any other books on the shelf. To be honest, I was a bit surprised. When they arrived (unjacketd, of course, which is fantastic!) the seemingly plain book spine and pencil type illustrations didn’t seem to me to be something the kiddos would gravitate towards. I did of course, I devoured each book that evening on my own, loving the very simple yet beautiful illustrations of Tilly, Tumpty, Doodle and the others. Not to mention the stories were adorable, teaching kids to be polite, not grumpy or selfish, not to bite, when to go to bed and more but in a very funny way. They were also some of the first that my dear sweet Baker (hubby) has really enjoyed reading as well (he’s extremely picky about picture books).
“Well, I once had a doctor jokingly tell me, “Kids live to prove you wrong” and that is absolutely the case with these books. Immediately they loved them. Not only that, but as Littlebug mentioned, her recent elephant gift for her birthday has been named Tumpty (pronounced “Tumppy” by her) and it must go with her everywhere. They’ve absolutely fallen in love with the series, as have I.
“Tilly and Friends may seem a quiet and inconspicuous, but once you open the pages you’ll quickly see precisely how delightful these characters are. Helping children to see there is a better way to treat our friends isn’t always the easiest thing either, but with Tilly and her troop of animal friends children will be able to gain a better understanding of some of the most basic concepts that can often be taken for granted by adults. Polly Dunbar has made a beautiful set of books that not only children will love, but parent will love as well. Our family being one that is entirely captivated with this series of books and I know many other families will be as well. Do not pass this series of books up for a much more ‘shinny’ picture book, you would be missing out on some of your best reading time ever with your kiddos.”
“My favorite book out of all of these is always Where’s Tumppy? because it has my favorite animal ever in it,’phant! ‘Phants are the best because they have big floppy ears and they are perfect for hugging. In this book Tumppy tries to hide under a box and then behind some other things only he’s too big and everyone keeps laughing at him. By the end they all can’t find him because he’s found a great hiding place, which is also one of the bestest games ever, and they all laugh and play together. It’s so fun! I make my mom and daddy read it at least once a day, more if they will.
“Where’s Tumppy? is still my favorite, but I really like all the other books too. Good Night, Tiptoe is the best book to read before bed, I never want want to go to bed right away and neither does Tiptoe. And Pretty Pru is so funny because they all put on Pru’s makeup and look silly. Tilly and her friends are the bestest! You really should read these with a kiddo soon!”
Mom’s Two Cents: “Tilly and her friends are up to the usual; playing, dressing up, painting, hiding, reading, sleeping and much much more. Doing what kids do best and sometimes…what they don’t do so well; biting, yelling, pushing and other not to nice things. What Tilly does for her friends though is show them how to behave their very best and enjoy being together.
“This series, though not flashy with glitter and neon colors, is a stand out in my opinion. Without a doubt, over the last couple of months that we’ve been reading it both Littlebug and Turkeybird have wanted to read each book over and over again, more than any other books on the shelf. To be honest, I was a bit surprised. When they arrived (unjacketd, of course, which is fantastic!) the seemingly plain book spine and pencil type illustrations didn’t seem to me to be something the kiddos would gravitate towards. I did of course, I devoured each book that evening on my own, loving the very simple yet beautiful illustrations of Tilly, Tumpty, Doodle and the others. Not to mention the stories were adorable, teaching kids to be polite, not grumpy or selfish, not to bite, when to go to bed and more but in a very funny way. They were also some of the first that my dear sweet Baker (hubby) has really enjoyed reading as well (he’s extremely picky about picture books).
“Well, I once had a doctor jokingly tell me, “Kids live to prove you wrong” and that is absolutely the case with these books. Immediately they loved them. Not only that, but as Littlebug mentioned, her recent elephant gift for her birthday has been named Tumpty (pronounced “Tumppy” by her) and it must go with her everywhere. They’ve absolutely fallen in love with the series, as have I.
“Tilly and Friends may seem a quiet and inconspicuous, but once you open the pages you’ll quickly see precisely how delightful these characters are. Helping children to see there is a better way to treat our friends isn’t always the easiest thing either, but with Tilly and her troop of animal friends children will be able to gain a better understanding of some of the most basic concepts that can often be taken for granted by adults. Polly Dunbar has made a beautiful set of books that not only children will love, but parent will love as well. Our family being one that is entirely captivated with this series of books and I know many other families will be as well. Do not pass this series of books up for a much more ‘shinny’ picture book, you would be missing out on some of your best reading time ever with your kiddos.”
January 8, 2010
Doodle Bites is a recent addition to the “Tilly and Friends” series. Tilly, a rosy-cheeked little girl with blond curls, lives in a “little yellow house” with a troupe of sweet, cartoon animals. Like other titles in the series, this story is a matter of fact depiction of a situation familiar to the Pre-K and kindergarten crowd: one person is having a difficult day, but everyone still has to get along. Doodle, the alligator, wakes up feeling “bitey.” The others are merely surprised to find she has “crunched and munched” the furniture, but retaliation and tears take over when she bites Tumpty, the elephant. Tilly, the authority figure, says “You shouldn’t bite your friends …. It’s not nice.” Soon Pru, the hen, has dispensed first aid, apologies have been exchanged, and the friends have devised a solution to Doodle’s “bitey” feelings. Although the book offers a lesson, it is not particularly didactic or judgmental. The characters’ faces are simple yet expressive and the mixed media illustrations are brightly-colored and charming.
October 27, 2012
I thought this was a cute book. Great illustrations. Wonderfully simple and funny story of Doodle who wants to bite everything and the consequences. A great tale for kids preschool kids who often have to deal with a biter in school or daycare. My four-year-old was distressed by this book though. He didn't like that Doodle got his mouth bandaged up to keep her from biting. He thought it cruel. And, when I stopped to think about it, it isn't the best solution in the real world. To physically bind someone's mouth who bites. But, if anything, at least the story can create a conversation between child and parent about these things.
June 23, 2012
This book had a cute story, though not as good as the "Happy Hector" book I previously read. Doodle is a alligator who just feels like she needs to nibble, crunch, and bite things. All is well until she decides to bite Tumpty the elephant's behind, and then in his anger, he steps on her tail. Tilly and Pru the chicken sort everything out and everyone apologizes and is happy again. Love the illustrations. Recommended for ages 1-5, 3 stars.
November 21, 2013
All of the 'Tilly and Friends' stories are charming and witty, I just happened to pick up 'Doodle Bites' to mention as it was the nearest to hand.
All children wake up feeling bitey at some point and usually end up with a tender, stamped upon tail. But as long as everyone apologises, all's well that ends well.
Funny throughout and the character of each animal is astonishingly well rendered. Hector is so sensitive- bless him.
All children wake up feeling bitey at some point and usually end up with a tender, stamped upon tail. But as long as everyone apologises, all's well that ends well.
Funny throughout and the character of each animal is astonishingly well rendered. Hector is so sensitive- bless him.
March 5, 2017
Just the cutest. What little one hasn't felt a little bitey now and then and needed someone to set them back on the road to relating to others in a less snarley way. A good choice for a book about bullying for the youngest.For a preschool storytime, provide strips of old undershirts for mom's and kids to "bandage" themselves with. The illustrations are the best part.
December 1, 2009
When Doodle the alligator wakes up feeling bitey, you better watch out! Tumpty the elephant is the unfortunate one who gets one of Doodles bites. Things go awry until Tilly and her friends step in to help. With colorful, fun illustrations and cute text, this is a series kids will enjoy!
January 2, 2010
Love this whole series and so do my kids. This one might just be my favorite. The illustrations (and font!) are fabulous. The book also provides a good launching point for discussions about repentance.
February 14, 2015
Very, very OUCHY! I feel bad for the elephant - and the alligator - because the alligator bit the elephants butt, and then the elephant stomped on the aligators tail, and everyone was crying, even fifi and jojo. Good clean violent fun for kids.
October 26, 2009
A good book for those kids who sometimes feel "bitey".
November 9, 2009
Great pictures and storyline for toddler crew - no biting, crunch-munch, oopsy-daisy, & animal themes
November 16, 2009
A fun little book about misbehavior and saying sorry. Great for toddler story time.
February 13, 2010
My 2 year old loved this story - I think because teh alligator bites the elephant on the bumm. Big hit.
July 15, 2010
Thanks to Leeda for showing me this adorable book at work (one of the reasons I really like my job!)!
July 23, 2010
Doodle wakes up one morning feeling bitey. He starts biting everything but what happens when he bites Tumpty? As always Dunbar's illustrations and design sense are beautiful.
October 28, 2011
A good book about not biting friends. Preschool and toddler appropriate.
June 10, 2014
dunbar's characters and gentle little storylines are so sweet and loving and involving. her exquisite artwork elevates them to masterpiece.
August 27, 2012
Good for young ones who like to bite! Okay for both preschool and toddler storytimes.
August 21, 2015
Doodle the alligator awakens feeling "bitey," and soon all of the animal friends are in tears.
A Tilly and friends book
A Tilly and friends book
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July 19, 2013I love this book
August 25, 2013
This is one of those wonderful lesson books. All about biting! Any mother who has a child goes through this, and this book is a laugh out loud lesson book. I loved it!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews