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Saturday, November 30, 2019

I Am A Tiger, written by Karl Newsom and illustrated by Ross Collins. Scholastic, 2019. $23.99 ages 3 and up


"Tigers can be small, too.

GRRRRRR!

Not that small!
And a tiger has stripes.

Some do. This one doesn't. 
So there.
I am a tiger."

This wonderfully witty new book is going straight into our reading cupboard when this post is written. I can't wait to read it to Sicily and Chelsea!

You gotta love a mouse with chutzpah. The title character of this hilarious tale has plenty, and shows it on every single page. His first statement is aimed at a raccoon, who begs to differ with the tiny being's perspective on who he really is ... a tiger. The raccoon is adamant that tigers are bigger and they growl vehemently. The mouse insists that tigers can also be small. A fox begs to differ.

With every argument voiced, the mouse becomes even more assertive. When a tiger makes its presence known, you might think the mouse would step back. You would be wrong! Instead, he describes the tiger as having all of a mouse's features, and sets out to prove his point by showing he can do all the things a tiger can do.

The tiger deflates, asking the mouse to explain what the other animals in the area are. The mouse responds with great confidence, and an apt description of the raccoon, the fox, the snake and the bird.

"Furry. Stripy.
Funny-looking face.
This is a caterpillar.

Long. Red.
Likes to bounce.
This is a balloon ... "

You get the picture? As he hurries off to hunt lunch, the mouse makes a startling discovery! In the blink of an eye, his persona changes - and the finale will have young listeners laughing uproariously. What a perfect turn of events!

Great cartoon art, expressive characters, bright colors and large full page spreads will captivate listeners and have them begging to hear it again.
                                                                         

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