Tilly and the Wisdom Trials
Children’s Fantasy Adventure, Educational Fiction / Learning Adventure
Date Published: February 27, 2026
Trials introduces young readers to a world hidden beneath the prairie – a
place where learning is a magical adventure and knowledge is the key to
unlocking ancient secrets.
Tilly, a clever and kind-hearted young badger, discovers a mossy wooden gate
hidden among vines and roots, setting her on an unexpected path: the legendary
Wisdom Trials. With her loyal companions, the Brainy Bunch, she journeys
through a series of challenges that test more than just book smarts. From
riddle gates and logic tunnels to kindness puzzles and courage quests, each
trial demands wit, empathy, and commitment.
Written in lyrical rhyme and brimming with wonder, Tilly and the Wisdom Trials
is the first book in the Critter Quest Academy Collection – a series that
blends adventure, problem-solving, and joyful learning in an underground world
of whimsical crifters. Ideal for fans of The Questioneers and The Tale of
Despereaux, this story celebrates curiosity, resilience, and the magic of a
mind set on discovery.
Julie’s Review:
This is a beautifully illustrated story told in cute rhymes. Tilly stumbles upon a secret place and has to pass a series of trials to prove her worthy to enter. She gets to solve riddles, show she’s pure of heart, and willing to keep learning. I love these lessons to teach kids – that curiosity and continuous learning will serve you well to find exciting things.
The only comment I have is while the illustrations are absolutely stunning, the text is a tad difficult to read. Perhaps it’s just my eARC but usually text is written on empty space, or has a semi transparent box so it stands out from the background. Since these illustrations are full-page, there isn’t any blank space for text.
About the Author
children’s author who creates story-driven learning experiences that
blend games, books, and curiosity. He is the creator of Critter Quest Academy,
an interactive educational platform and book series that turns problem-solving into adventure.
David previously developed the educational math games El Mathador and Treasure
Math, helping students build confidence through play. He is also the author of
The Star of Shanraz, a novel for teen readers. His latest work focuses on the
Prairie City Adventures and Critter Quest Academy books, beginning with Tilly
and the Wisdom Trials, the featured launch title that introduces young readers
to a whimsical underground world where questions, puzzles, and curiosity guide the journey.
View this post on Instagram
Note: Some posts may contain affiliate links. Should you choose to purchase a product, we will receive a small commission for the sale at no additional cost to you. Chapter Break is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.
Leave a Reply