I was contacted by the author of this children's book because I write about ancestors family stories, and I am happy to share the information about the book and about the author's.
The book is Too Tall Tilly be Melissa Beardall and Rebecca Nichols, illustrated by Emma Valenghi.
Here is a blog post written by Melissa Beardall to describe her book:
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How to Instill a Love of Genealogy in Children
As adults, many of us are passionate about genealogy. Our hearts race with excitement when we discover a new ancestor or when long-lost pieces of the puzzle finally come together. I was blessed to grow up in a family that instilled in me a deep sense of family pride.
Though my grandmother passed away before I was born, I grew up hearing stories about her life—stories that made me feel connected to her. I wanted to know everything about her. That same longing extended to other relatives who had gone before me. I was fascinated by old photographs, especially of the stone home my great-grandfather built. I loved seeing faces, learning their stories, and hearing who I resembled. I often wondered where my personality traits and quirks came from.
This joy—the thrill of discovery, the emotional connection to those who came before—is something so many of us feel. But if these stories aren’t told and retold, they risk being lost forever.
So how do we pass this love of family history on to our children—especially when they’re growing up in a very different world than we did?
Soon after my mother and I co-authored and published the book Twirl with Me, Mama!: Helping a Child Understand a Loved One with a Chronic Illness, we realized we had more to share—more stories that could help children face today’s complex world.
Out of late-night inspiration and many conversations with a heart full of purpose came our next book: Too Tall Tilly.
Meet Tilly—a relatable and imaginative character who helps children connect with their roots.
Too Tall Tilly is a whimsical, heartwarming picture book about embracing who you are—even when it feels easier to be someone else. Spunky Matilda—Tilly for short—is tired of being the tallest kid in her grade and of being called names like “Too Tall Tilly.” So she comes up with a plan: she’ll change her name and become someone spectacular.
With her colorful imagination, Tilly transforms into a graceful ballerina, a wise teacher, a world-famous painter, and even a royal princess. Surely life would be better as someone else.
That is, until her parents show her a special family book filled with old photographs she’s never seen before. Through this treasured keepsake, Tilly embarks on a different kind of journey—one that helps her see herself through the stories of those who came before her.
Can a connection to her family’s past help Tilly embrace who she really is?
Too Tall Tilly helps children discover that their identity is richer and deeper than they might think. It shows them that knowing where they come from can help them face life’s challenges with confidence and pride.
While it’s not always easy to get kids excited about genealogy, stories like Tilly’s offer a fun and engaging entry point. Children will relate to her struggles and delight in her imaginative adventures—but they’ll also experience how family stories can shape and strengthen their own.
We are all connected.
Genealogy isn’t just about names and dates—it’s about connection. When we help children discover the stories in their family tree in a playful way, we give them a sense of belonging and identity that can last a lifetime.
Whether you’re a parent or a family historian, Too Tall Tilly is a meaningful way to spark that first spark of interest—and help them learn to stand tall just as they are.
Here is a page from the book:
The book is available on Amazon: https://www.amazon.
The URL for this post is:
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