The Secret Life of a Tiger

You may think you know how the tiger spends his days but think again. This fearsome feline is actually more of a pussycat. He may have a mouth full of sharp teeth and claws that can kill but he'd rather think of himself as brave and cheerful. Tiger welcomes you to his jungle and hopes you will spend the day with him in this fabulously funny tale about the secret life of a tiger. During the day, Tiger enjoys chatting with friends and spending time with his neighbours. He naps, relaxes, as he listens to the sounds of the jungle, and occasionally looks for a bite to eat. There are vicious rumours going around the forest that Tiger is partial to the taste of people, especially passing explorers, but he swears that is just gossip. However, there does appear to be more to tiger than meets the eye. By day he looks like any other big cat but at night his secret life unfolds. You'll never believe it but he is a gourmet fruit salad maker, a brilliant barber and even finds the time to consciously hatch eggs. Tiger is an ant enchanter, a light footed dancer and a real snake charmer! He's a friend to all he meets, bringing life to the jungle and spreading a little love everywhere he goes. You simply wouldn't believe the things he gets up to in the dead of night. Tiger hopes that that now we know how he really spends his time we will see him in a more favourable light. His secret life really is more fantastical then you could imagine! This is a beautifully illustrated whimsical take on the life of the tiger. A humorous nod to looking beyond the exterior and setting aside our preconceived notions of how an individual should behave. A reminder that we need to take the time to really get to know a person, especially if they are as fancy footed as Tiger with culinary skills to match. Przemystaw Wechterowicz's hilarious dialogue is wonderfully matched with Emilia Dziubak's comical illustrations. This is a book to enjoy again and again, and if readers ever do tire of this story, they can imagine the secret lives of the other animals that live in the jungle with Tiger. Picture book / Ages 5+ / Reviewed by Emily Beale, school librarian.

Suggested Reading Age 5+