Tidy by Emily Gravett

Tidy by Emily Gravett is a timely picture book about OCD and anxiety. The book also promotes self-management, responsible decision-making and wellbeing.

“Deep in the forest lived a badger called Pete who tidied and cleaned and kept everything neat.” He snipped off any flowers that didn’t match, he untangled the fox’s fur and brushed the beaks of all the birds. As the leaves fell in Autumn, he collected all the leaves and put them in hundreds of rubbish bags but now the trees were too bare so he dug them all up! Then it rained leaving the forest floor covered in mud, so Badger called in the diggers and covered the ground in concrete.

“No mud / No leaves / No mess / No trees. Perfectly tidy and perfectly neat.” When he was hungry, he found there were no beetles to eat, and he couldn’t find the door to his home under the concrete. After a night outside with his belly rumbling, he realised he had made a mistake and set out to rectify it. All the forest animals came out the help and put everything back in place.

Teaching Resources: Tidy by Emily Gravett

These resources relate to the book, author and illustrator. The number of resources varies book to book. Please check they are appropriate for your specific needs before using them with children. If you have any suggestions please get in touch!

Centre for Literacy in Primary Education: Teaching Ideas
Emily Gravet Website: Teacher Notes and Class Activities
Emily Gravet Website: Tidy – Fingerpainting
The Guardian: Emily Gravett, children’s illustrator
The Guardian: Emily Gravett’s animals – in pictures
The Guardian: How to Draw a Badger by Emily Gravett
Love My Books: Tidy by Emily Gravett activities
Teaching Ideas: Tidy Teaching Ideas and Resources
The Telegraph: The Road Less Travelled – Interview with Emily Gravett
UK Literacy Association: Tidy by Emily Gravett book connections
World Book Day: Teaching guides Tidy: Nursery Teaching Guide
Take a look inside Tidy by Emily Gravett

Books by Emily Gravett

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Tidy by Emily Gravett