Spots or Stripes?

Spots or Stripes is a beautifully vivid story. It's bright and eye catching illustrations are an instant draw. The story is fun and a great hook into themes which younger children find difficult such as discussion and politics. In this story a tiger and cheetah argue over whether spots or stripes are the best and what starts as a simple disagreement escalated quickly into an all out war. I really like the way the argument builds and how in the end they call ceasefire and sit down to discuss their issue. I thought that their resolution, to have a peaceful jungle fashion contest, showed beautifully how we need to be diplomatic and give positive feedback to everyone and when everyone feels valued all can be peaceful. I think this book would be a great one to read when setting up class rules around playtime behaviour. Also a great one to read after there has been fall outs between children. I think the idea of something very small escalating quickly into something big is a real issue for children and Spots or Stripes provides a good way to open discussions about this and gives good ways of resolving conflicts. I will be recommending this book to my early years and other KS1 and early KS2 colleagues, I think I will use it in my next assembly when I will be talking about peace and linking with the recent world peace day. I highly recommend this books to read at bedtime, and also at the end of the school day, learning to be had across the ages! Picture book / Ages 3+ / Reviewed by Marie Berry, teacher.

Suggested Reading Age 3+