Jonny Lambert, Tiger Tiger, Little Tiger Press/Hardie Grant Egmont, 1 June 2017, 32pp., $16.99 (pbk), ISBN: 9781848694446
Grumpy old Tiger is looking after little Cub. ‘Bother,’ he growls. ‘I’m too old for cub-sitting’. He wants to sleep, but lively Cub has other ideas and coaxes Tiger into an adventure through the jungle where they encounter monkeys, baby rhinos, pangolin and more. Initially Tiger is unimpressed – he has seen all this before – but Cub’s enthusiasm is infectious, and gradually Tiger begins to see the jungle with fresh eyes.
The text is lively and fun with lots of rhythmical rhyming that makes it feel a little like a rap when reading aloud. It also incorporates onomatopoeia which is great for engaging for young children.
The colourful illustrations are stunning. Set against a lush background comprising shades of green, colourful jungle animals and flowers seem to pop out of the page. Cleverly, Lambert has also camouflaged chameleons in the foliage, which are lots of fun to try spotting with a child.
Tiger Tiger is an entertaining read with a lovely message that anyone who spends time with curious young children will relate to. Recommended for children 2-5 years.
Reviewed by Rebecca Blakeney
