Tilda Tries Again

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Tilda’s world is just as she likes it . . . until one day, it turns completely UPSIDE DOWN. All of a sudden, everything is topsy-turvy, and nothing feels right. Things that were once easy now seem incredibly challenging.

Can Tilda discover a new way to approach her problems and believe in herself?

English:

• Write your own story with the title ‘… Tries again’ that describes a real or fictional time when you tried again.
• Read the letter on the inside cover and write a reply to the author.
• Write an acrostic poem based on the word RESILIENCE.
• Read up to ‘Everything was just right. Until one day, Tilda’s world turned…’ and then write a new version of the story from that point.
• Retell the story from Tilda’s point of view.
• Write Tilda’s diary entries from different points in the story.
• Write a conversation between Tilda and one of her friends to encourage her to try again.
• Plan an interview with Tilda. What questions would you like to ask her? How might she respond?
• Watch this video interview with the author. What questions would you like to ask him?

• Write a sequel to this book in which Tilda has to overcome a new challenge.
• Watch a ‘read aloud’ video based on this book. Could you record your own narrated version of the story?

Computing:

• Design a series of motivational posters to encourage people to keep going when they are feeling a bit low.
• Look at this trailer to promote the ‘Big Bright Feelings’ series of books. Could you create an animated version of Tilda?

Art:

• Everything in Tilda’s world turns upside down. Can you create some illustrations where a character lives in an upside-down world?
• Look at Tilda’s facial expressions and body language throughout the story. Can you create some pictures of a character showing a wide range of emotions?
• Many of the illustrations have a black and white background with a colourful character in the foreground. Could you use this technique in some of your own pictures?

Music:

• Make a playlist of songs that motivate you when you are feeling a bit low.

Languages:

• Find out the names of different emotions in other languages.

PSHE:

• Think of a time when you have tried again. What does it mean to be ‘resilient’?
• At one point in the story, Tilda decides to give up and do nothing. What could you say to her?
• Design a poster to encourage people to be resilient. What tips, advice or strategies might help them? You could use some of the ideas in the author’s letter on the inside cover.