I instantly knew that Pages & Co: Tilly and the Bookwanderers would be a popular addition to our class library. The synopsis promised adventure and there certainly is magic inside these pages. The characters are well-developed, the story delightful and the themes offer opportunity for thoughtful discussion.
Tilly is the book-lover you encourage every child to be. She questions character, plot and themes whilst fully immersing herself in the literary world. It was lovely to hear children asking each other questions that Tilly asked her own friends: who’s your favourite character from a book? What would you do if you could talk to your favourite characters?
A lot of messages inside this book resonated with the children in key stage 2. Halfway through the book, Amelia says that “books can change minds and change worlds, open doors and open minds, and plant seeds that can grow into magical or even terrifying things.” This message was one that numerous children brought up as they wanted to discuss how books can change worlds and open doors.
This book offers so many potential classroom links. Pages & Co delves into the worlds of Alice in Wonderland, Anne of Green Gables, A Little Princess and Treasure Island - all excellent partner texts. Though I personally see Pages & Co more as a guided reading text or a reading-for-pleasure class novel, I would be excited to see how teachers used it as a teaching and learning text.
Overall, it’s a clever, well-written and language rich book. The children shone in discussion whilst I revelled in the nostalgia of classic children’s literature. Tilly and her book-wandering friends are brilliant role models for 21st-century children and I would encourage any child, class teacher or parent to introduce this book to the people they care about.
Lowri Jones is a KS2 teacher at Parc Lewis Primary School in South Wales.
Pupils reviews: ‘My favourite book of all time’
Pages & Co is probably my new favourite book! I liked how the author used big words, but they were still easy to read. The book was enjoyable to read and I just wanted to read it all at once.
Nia, Year 6
This is my favourite book of all time. Tilly is a really adventurous and brave character. Reading this book made me want to read Anne of Green Gables. I wish I could be a book wanderer. This is the fastest I have ever read such a big book. Eleven stars out of ten!
Rhian, Year 6
This book was fantastic and adventurous. It put me on the edge of my seat. When I was reading it, I was so hooked I couldn’t even hear my Mum. It’s really wonderful, mysterious and magical.
Kimberly, Year 5
This book is fantastic, I really like the characters. I think the best character is Oscar. He’s different to all of the other characters because he chooses to read different books to everyone else. I think that this is a friendly book and I would recommend it to girls and boys.
William, Year 6
You get really attached to this book because it has really good descriptions of the places and people. I really liked the characters of the grandparents because they are really kind to Tilly and Oscar.
Nadine, Year 6
Pages & Co is fantastic. I didn’t want it to end. It made me feel like I was travelling in the book like Tilly and Oscar. I hope that a second is written! I read this with my Mum at the weekend and she loved it too.
Mar, Year 6
I think that Tilly is adventurous, kind and helpful. The book is so interesting, it makes you want to read it all over again. I would love to see this book as a film. This is a book for both boys and girls.
Riley, Year 6
