Learning through play
For parents & teachers
Tilly's books are made to be enjoyed together. Here's how to get the most out of every page, at the kitchen table or in the classroom.
How to use the books
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Step 1: Pick a calm 10 to 15 minutes
One page is the perfect size for little attention spans. After lunch, before bed or as a morning warm-up all work well.
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Step 2: Look and talk first
Ask what they can see. Say the letter and its sound together: "A, a, apple!"
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Step 3: Hunt for the hidden letter
Every picture hides a letter. Let your child find it. Give a hint like "look at the leaf!" only if they need one.
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Step 4: Color the letter, then the picture
Color the hidden letter with one of the letter colors, then color everything else however they like. Purple apples are allowed.
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Step 5: Read the funny line together
Read it to them, read it with them, or let early readers try it alone. Giggles count as learning.
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Step 6: Trace, then celebrate
Move on to the tracing pages when they are ready, start at the dot, and add a star to the star chart.
A guide for every stage
Every child is different. Use this as a loose guide and follow your child's lead.
Little learners
Preschool
- Find the hidden letter with a little help
- Color freely, no need to stay in the lines
- Trace big letters with a finger first, then a crayon
- You read the funny line aloud
Growing learners
Pre-K and kindergarten
- Find and color the hidden letter in a letter color
- Trace A and a starting at the green dot
- Say the letter sound and name the A words in the picture
- Read the line together, pointing at each word
Early readers
Kindergarten and beyond
- Write A and a on their own after tracing
- Read the funny line independently
- Do the connect-the-dots page solo
- Think up more words that start with the letter
Tips that help
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Chunky tools for small hands
Thick crayons, triangle crayons or washable markers are easiest to grip. Markers are fine: every page is printed on one side only.
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A makes two sounds
Short A as in apple, ant and alligator, and long A as in acorn, apron and alien. The book includes both, so point them out.
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Praise the effort
"You found it!" and "You kept going!" build more confidence than "that is perfect." Wobbly letters are how good letters start.
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Little and often
A page a day beats a whole book in one sitting. Stop while it is still fun and they will want to come back.
Teachers
In the classroom
- Letter of the week: one book per letter keeps the whole class on the same page.
- Morning warm-up: project a page and hunt for the hidden letter together.
- Literacy centers: use our free printables for a coloring or tracing station.
- Finish line: hand out the Super Star Certificate when a child completes the book.
Bulk & classroom orders
All Tilly Tumbletoes books are printed and shipped by Amazon. To order a class set, open the book on Amazon and set the quantity you need. Schools can also use Amazon Business for purchase orders and tax-exempt buying.
A is for Adventure!
ISBN-13 979-8161277034
List price $7.99 (price may vary, see Amazon for today's price)
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
Questions about a large order? Contact us.
Ordering questions
Can I buy copies for my whole class?
Yes. Open the book on Amazon and change the quantity in your cart. Amazon sometimes limits quantities per order; if so, place more than one order or use Amazon Business.
Can my school order with a purchase order or tax exemption?
Many schools buy through Amazon Business, which supports tax-exempt purchasing, purchase orders and invoices. Ask your school office whether you already have an account.
May I photocopy the book for my students?
Please don’t copy the book itself. Each copy is meant for one child. Our free printables, however, may be copied as often as you like for your classroom.
Do you sell directly or offer a bulk discount?
Tilly Tumbletoes books are sold through Amazon only, so we can’t take orders or set prices ourselves. For a very large order, contact us and we will help where we can.