Tilly and the Glow Within is a heartwarming picture book about discovering that your dreams—and your worth—are already inside you.
When Benny hears his classmates dream of becoming astronauts, athletes, and famous performers, he begins to doubt his own quiet dream of becoming a gym teacher. Unsure and discouraged, Benny stumbles upon something magical: a glowing pink camper named Tilly and her joyful guide, Jenni Glow.
Inside Tilly, candles shimmer with scent, color, and possibility—each one holding a dream waiting to shine. As Benny helps a candle named Lume find his glow, he begins to understand something powerful: the thing that makes each of us special isn’t being the same as everyone else—it’s being exactly who we are.
Filled with warmth, imagination, and gentle humor, Tilly and the Glow Within invites children to explore self-worth, confidence, and the courage to embrace their own dreams.
Created by Jenni Zielke, written by Maya Moneze, and illustrated by Lily Desmond, this is the first book in the Adventures of Tilly the Candle Camper series—stories designed to help children feel seen, loved, and deeply valued.
Because if you never glow, you’ll never know.
This beautiful book features our favorite candle-maker: Jenni Zielke! She's reimagined as a "Ms. Frizzle-style" figure in her adorable candle-making trailer named Tilly! If you've made a candle or room spray with Jenni, you're going to LOVE this book.
Perfect for:
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Ages 4–10
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Classrooms and libraries
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Bedtime reading
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Conversations about confidence and self-belief
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Thoughtful gifts for kids, teachers, and families
