Pretty Pru: A Tilly and Friends Book by Polly Dunbar (Illustrator)

From the Publisher

The celebrated Polly Dunbar offers a new charming adventure in her series about Tilly and her friends.

Pretty Pru is trying on her favorite red lipstick. She’s so busy prancing that she doesn’t notice when someone borrows her special purse. Could it be Tiptoe the rabbit, blushing a shade of pink? Or Doodle the alligator, pointing a pretty finger? And what IS that on top of Tumpty’s head?

Children's Literature

Pru is a chicken that delights in using makeup; but when her friend, Trumpty the elephant asks to use the makeup so as to be pretty like Pru, she refuses. This makes Trumpty angry. While Pru is busily applying lipstick in front of the mirror, he stretches out his long trunk and steals Pru's pocketbook. He promptly shares all the makeup with Tiptoe the rabbit, Hector the pig, and Doodle the crocodile. A little girl called Tilly (who, readers assume, owns all of the animals) helps Pru to find the missing purse. The mixed media illustrations cleverly portray the search and clearly show that each animal has used some kind of makeup. Hector sports heavy mascara around his eyes and Doodle proudly displays her long polished nails. The missing item is found in a most unlikely place that is sure to surprise the reader. All ends well, with Pru getting apologies and everything returned. She then shares the lipstick with everyone. (Not a sanitary practice.) While this is a pleasant story, it is not one that stands out enough to make it a recommended purchase. Reviewer: Sylvia Firth

School Library Journal

PreS-Gr 1

With quiet flair, Tilly, a little girl, helps her animal pals when they get into mischief. Tumpty the elephant requests lipstick as he admires Pru primping. The petite hen rebuffs his request: "You'll waste it." When she notices that her purse with all her makeup is missing, Tilly helps search for it. They discover that Hector the pig's lashes are enhanced with mascara and Tiptoe the bunny's cheekbones glow with a lovely shade of blush. Doodle the alligator sports an impressive manicure with nail polish. Tumpty is found prancing with Pru's purse on his head and adorned with her necklace. All of Tilly's friends are sorry, especially Tumpty, for their behavior, and Tumpty and Pru move forward in an effort of generosity and sharing. This tender story is complemented with colorful and expressive mixed-media illustrations.-Anne Beier, Hendrick Hudson Free Library, Montrose, NY

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