The Tiger Child - Joanna Troughton

...illustrated by Joanna Troughton in the 'Folk Tales of the World' series which are quite widely used in schools across the land as it's a stipulation that children's minds are 'opened up' to different cultures, hence that I have acquired a few of the books in the series.

- The Tiger Child -

This folk tale is from Orissa in India.

It begins 'long ago' with a tiger cooking his food, yes that's right, cooking ...
...goes out he goes to the village to ask for some fire. Not surprisingly, the villagers are terrified of the tiger and lock themselves away.

The tiger then decides to ask his nephew to go to the village to ask for some fire, assured that the villagers would not be scared of such a small tiger, a 'Tiger Child'.

However, on his way to the village the young tiger is distracted by playing with the monkeys, splashing in the ... more

This is one of 14 books written and illustrated by Joanna Troughton in the 'Folk Tales of the World' series which are quite widely used in schools across the land as it's a stipulation that children's minds are 'opened up' to different cultures, hence that I have acquired a few of the books in the series.

- The Tiger Child -

This folk tale is from Orissa in India.

It begins 'long ago' with a tiger cooking his food, yes that's right, cooking his food with a pot over a heap of burning wood!

When his fire goes out he goes to the village to ask for some fire. Not surprisingly, the villagers are terrified of the tiger and lock themselves away.

The tiger then decides to ask his nephew to go to the village to ask for some fire, assured that the villagers would not be scared of such a small tiger, a 'Tiger Child'.

However, on his way to the village the young tiger is distracted by playing with the monkeys, splashing in the water pools etc so that by the time he arrives at the village he has totally forgotten what he was sent there for!

As predicted by his uncle, the villagers aren't scared of the 'Tiger Child'. When he declares that he has forgotten what he was sent to the village for, the villagers suggest different options, e.g. a bowl of milk, a fresh fish, a comfy cushion to lie on. In short, the little tiger is thoroughly pampered and indulgent in the hands of the villagers.

As the day passes, the adult tiger goes out in search of his nephew and is disgusted by his behaviour, finding him asleep, curled up next to a hearth and shouts " Tiger Child, you are not a tiger any more..... You are a CAT!"

The young tiger wakes up, remembers what his uncle had sent him out for but yawns and just goes back to sleep!

'From that time on, tigers have had no fire. They eat their food raw.'
'The Tiger Child stayed who turned into a cat stayed in the village. And cats have lived with people ever since.'

- Illustrations -

It has to be said that the illustrations make the book for me being rich and vibrant, and beautifully show the traditional costumes and village life in days gone by!- Educational Values -

• A means of introducing children to different cultures from the past.
• Introduces children to the concept of folk tales.
• Develops and encourages discussion about a text.
• I have also used this in PSE sessions, discussing vanity and self-absorbency, characteristics that the Tiger Child does somewhat display although it could be put down to his immaturity! Big discussion point!!

- Price -
ISBN: 0-14-038238-0 costs £5.99 but paperback versions are available from amazon from £1.50.
Hardcovers from £11.00. It has to be said that I wouldn't recommend paying this amount for the book!- MY Verdict -

I have read this to children, aged 4 - 7 with totally different experiences.
It has to be said that the younger children, are very fond of the rich, vibrant illustrations and discussion has taken place about the traditional costumes that have been worn by some of the children in the class for family weddings etc.
The younger children, however take the story quite literally which is all well and good but it has to be pointed out that this story isn't 'real'.
With my current Year 2 class, we have been able to discuss the meaning of 'Folk Tales', i.e. a tale / story that has circulated by word of mouth. This obviously depends on the maturity of the child, some take it literally others accept it and have likened it to a 'fair y tale' although, thankfully there isn't a handsome prince involved, let's face it, in reality, there aren't many princes around!

All in all, a great book for discussing the concept of folk tales, different cultures and beautifully illustrated! 

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