Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Children's books

Join in for children's book recommendations.

Original poster

Tiddler or Snail and the Whale

37 replies

Sleeepdeprived · 03/05/2023 08:51

We love Julia Donaldson books so would like to gift our friend’s little boy (2) who is obsessed with oceans and sea life either Tiddler or Snail and the Whale but we haven’t read either so not sure which one is better.

If you’ve read both - which do you prefer? Or any other suggestions? Thanks!

OP posts:
Holidaysay · 03/05/2023 08:54

Snail and the whale is better imo but tiddler has more ocean content!
Sharing a shell is nice for that age too

GlobetrottingPercy · 03/05/2023 08:55

We have both and for that age I would suggest tiddler - it’s easier for DS to read back with me and remember key phrases as it has more repetition.

jusdepamplemousse · 03/05/2023 08:56

Oh I love Tiddler. And yes the repetition is great - Tiddler’s LATE!

Snail and the whale is lovely but Tiddler’s better fun.

user1483387154 · 03/05/2023 08:57

Tiddler for that age

FastAndLast · 03/05/2023 08:58

I prefer Snail and the Whale personally but my daughter absolutely loved Tiddler at that age.

Floofsquidge · 03/05/2023 08:58

For a 2 year old, Tiddler. Lots of phrase repetition, fun story. However as a parent of a 3 year old I have received multiple duplicate gifts of Julia Donaldson / Axel Sheffler books from well meaning friends and family so check with the parents first. I think we had 4 copies of The Gruffalo at one point. Where we have had duplicates if they're a board book it's ok as they can live in the car for journeys. Tiddler is one of my son's favourites.

Sirzy · 03/05/2023 08:58

Another vote for tiddler. Ds is 13 now but I still remember chunks of it by heart!

IhearyouClemFandango · 03/05/2023 08:59

Absolutely prefer Snail and the Whale. An all time favourite

LauderSyme · 03/05/2023 09:00

Another vote for Tiddler. Ds loved it and I can still remember some of the rhymes over a decade later!

mightymam · 03/05/2023 09:01

Definitely Tiddler- so much more relatable (daydreaming, making up elaborate stories, etc.) to a 2 year old than SOAW.

Confession: I'm not really a fan of JD even though my children love her books.

JofraArchersFastestBall · 03/05/2023 09:01

I love Tiddler, it's got a great rhythm and is just really fun. It's one of our favourite bedtime books (3 and 5 yo, but we've had it in the rotation for a few years). Not as keen on the snail and the whale.

CallmeIT · 03/05/2023 09:02

Tiddler definitely. I can still recite a fair bit and my DC is 15. I’ve largely forgotten snail and the whale now.

I’m sure you won’t go wrong with either though 🙂

Finchgold · 03/05/2023 09:02

Grown ups love Snail and the Whale but kids love Tiddler.

Playdoughcaterpillar · 03/05/2023 09:02

Tiddler, tiddler, tiddler's late!
Better for younger one

ToddlerMum2 · 03/05/2023 09:05

DS is 2.5 and absolutely loves them both. I’d say Tiddler is better for repetition at that age though 😊

The Works has the board books for £4 each at the moment 😊

ASimpleLobsterHat · 03/05/2023 09:23

Tiddler; my boys loved it at that age. They never really got into snail and the whale. I think a PP is right - SATW is liked more by adults but the patterns in the text of Tiddler make it appeal to children more than SATW.

Hugasauras · 03/05/2023 09:26

Floofsquidge · 03/05/2023 08:58

For a 2 year old, Tiddler. Lots of phrase repetition, fun story. However as a parent of a 3 year old I have received multiple duplicate gifts of Julia Donaldson / Axel Sheffler books from well meaning friends and family so check with the parents first. I think we had 4 copies of The Gruffalo at one point. Where we have had duplicates if they're a board book it's ok as they can live in the car for journeys. Tiddler is one of my son's favourites.

Yes, Julia Donaldson books are a favourite gift! We have got several duplicates over the years. I think we had three Monkey Puzzles and four Gruffalos at one point. So I'd probably check or get something a bit less mainstream that they are unlikely to have! We had pretty much the entire JD collection by the time DD1 was 2!

Newuser82 · 03/05/2023 09:27

Definitely tiddler!!

Zooeyzebra · 03/05/2023 09:29

If you want a non JD book, look for Magic Beach. It’s lovely

Findyourneutralspace · 03/05/2023 09:31

Both are absolutely lovely but my heart still melts at my curly haired toddler, joining in with TIDDLER’S LATE!!

He’s 17 now 🤣

PizzaPastaWine · 03/05/2023 09:34

I'd go for tiddler.

I preferred The Snail and the Whale even though it made me emotional reading it!

lucysnowe2 · 03/05/2023 09:54

The Snail and the Whale if your friend doesn't mind tearing up at that one line every time :) Ah... I miss reading these books to my kids

onlyoneoftheregimentinstep · 03/05/2023 10:14

Tiddler! My all time favourite book.

Bluedressyes · 03/05/2023 10:20

We've got both. I ❤️ Snail and the Whale, it's beautiful to read aloud. Agree kids love Tiddler just as much so you can't really go wrong!

afrikat · 03/05/2023 10:30

Snail and the Whale is probably my all time favourite kids books. But Tiddler probably better for that age.