The Tindims of Rubbish Island

Author Sally Gardner has joined up with her illustrator daughter Lydia Corry to create a new series about the Tindims, tiny Borrower-like beings who live on an island built entirely from rubbish discarded by humans, or Long Legs. This first title in the series introduces readers to Skittle, one of the young Tindims, her furry pet Pinch, and assorted quirky inhabitants of Rubbish Island, from Captain Spoons and Admiral Bonnet to Granny Gull, Barnacle Bow, Brew, Mug, Jug and Baby Cup. The Tindims’ motto is ‘Rubbish today is treasure tomorrow’ and they are resourceful and inventive recyclers. Even the Tindims must admit though that there are just too many plastic bottles.

The themes of conservation and the environment are timely and child readers will probably have plenty of ideas of their own about protecting sea life and recycling all the waste found by the Tindims. The characters are eccentric and endearing and all the inhabitants and world of Rubbish Island are skilfully brought to life in the lively, humorous, and detailed illustrations. The chapters are short, the font is dyslexia friendly, there are pictures on every page and the series should appeal to newly independent and eco-conscious young readers.