Every candle shines in its own time. ✨
Snuggle in, gather your classroom, or find a cozy spot and enjoy a free read-aloud of Tilly and the Glow Within, the first book in the Adventures with Tilly the Candle Camper series.
Created by Jenni Zielke, written by Maya Moneze, and illustrated by Lily Desmond, Tilly and the Glow Within is a story about discovering what makes you special, believing in yourself, and learning that your glow doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s.
📖 Watch the Read-Aloud
Follow along as we meet Tilly, Jenni Glow, Benny, Violet, Aurora, and a very special little candle named Lume.
Perfect for classrooms, libraries, homeschool days, bedtime stories, and anyone who could use a reminder that their glow is already inside them.
✨ After the Story: Let’s Talk About Your Glow
After watching, try asking your little readers:
- What do you think it means to have a “glow within”?
- Did every character’s glow look the same?
- What makes you feel most like yourself?
- What is something special about you that might be different from someone else?
- How can we help someone else see their glow?
- What do you think it means when we say, “Every candle shines in its own time”?
You could even have children draw or write about something that makes their glow special.
✨ Find Your Glow!
Keep the conversation going after the story with our free Find Your Glow journal page. Kids can draw, write, and reflect on the things that make their own glow special.
✨ Download the Free “Find Your Glow” Journal Page
Perfect for classrooms, homeschool lessons, library storytimes, or a little reflection time at home.
🕯️ About Tilly and the Glow Within
What if finding your glow isn’t about becoming someone new — but discovering what has been inside you all along?
In Tilly and the Glow Within, children join Tilly the Candle Camper and her friends on a heartwarming adventure filled with candles, creativity, friendship, and self-discovery.
At its heart is a simple message we hope every child carries with them:
You don’t have to shine like anyone else. Your glow is yours — and every candle shines in its own time. “If I never glow, I’ll never know!”
📖 Ready to add Tilly to your bookshelf?
[SHOP TILLY AND THE GLOW WITHIN]
Available in paperback, hardcover, and keepsake editions.
🍎 Teachers, Librarians & Homeschool Families
Tilly and the Glow Within was created to spark conversations about self-worth, individuality, confidence, kindness, and celebrating what makes each of us unique.
Use the free read-aloud for:
- Classroom storytime
- Social-emotional learning conversations
- Morning meetings
- Library story hours
- Homeschool lessons
- Kindness and confidence activities
- Discussions about individuality and belonging
And don’t stop when the story ends! Invite children to draw their own glow, write about something that makes them special, or share a way they can help someone else’s light shine a little brighter.
🚐 Bring Tilly to Your School or Organization!
Want to bring the world of Tilly and the Glow Within to life?
Jenni Zielke and team offer author visits and interactive story experiences designed to help kids discover, celebrate, and share their own glow.
Visits can include a live reading, conversations about creating a children’s book, Q&A, activities, and opportunities for students to meet the character, Jenni Glow.
[LEARN ABOUT AUTHOR & SCHOOL VISITS]
💛 Keep Spreading the Light
Tilly and the Glow Within is just the beginning of the Adventures with Tilly the Candle Camper.
Follow along for new stories, activities, events, and adventures as Tilly continues helping kids discover the light they carry inside.
Spread Light. Grow Love. And never forget your glow. ✨