THE TIGER CHILD

A tot leaves a sedate English garden to follow “the call of the wild.”

Clad in yellow overalls, our wide-eyed, pale-skinned young protagonist clutches a stuffed tiger, huddled in a small yellow tent in a bedroom. “Sometimes I feel too quiet. Too small. Too afraid.” On the facing page, readers will glimpse a large, curtained window with a cutout revealing foliage and a flicking, orange-and-black-striped tail. The child continues to deliver an inner monologue of short sentences both lyrical and intriguing: “But adventure is knocking. I can’t hide forever. A whisper is calling me forward….” Suspense builds as the child dons shoes and follows a set of pawprints into the wilderness. Excellent use of cutouts encourages careful scrutiny of Beech’s inviting watercolor flora and fauna, including benevolent-appearing birds and monkeys. At the climax, a large, beautiful tiger with a neutral expression sits “golden. Watchful. Waiting. Ready to—” Uh-oh. Could the next word be pounce? No! A surprise pop-up appears immediately, showing the child—now sporting tiger ears and tail—emitting a “ROAR!” This tale of finding one’s inner tiger continues as the now-bonded pair travel affectionately through a nighttime jungle until daybreak. Will shy youngsters internalize the metaphor? Not necessarily. But the sturdily constructed pages, clever layout, and fanciful art and text make for a fine bedtime read-aloud.

Encouragement to dream bravely.