A Tiger's Tale! (Midnight Tiger - Gillian Lobel)

Member Name: tange

Product:	Midnight Tiger - Gillian Lobel
Date:	02/01/06 (105 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Beautiful pictures, interesting text layout

Disadvantages: None!

I have just gone back to work following the Christmas break and decided to begin the year as I ended it by reviewing another top class children’s picture book. Those of who you who have read my book reviews before will notice that the majority of books I have written about are for children and a large number of these are picture books.

The main reason for this is that I often work in a Children’s Library so, not only am I surrounded by this genre, I am also drawn to these books because of the beautiful illustrations and a desire to share these books with as many people as I can.

For this reason I would like to draw your imaginations and eyes to Midnight Tiger; written by Gillian Lobel and illustrated by Helen Lanzrein.

~~~THE PLOT.

The book follows a tiger’s prowl through a night. As the book progresses the tiger’s true identity is revealed and we learn he isn’t what he originally appeared to be. The ending is a surprise which I am going to find VERY hard not to reveal. The plot is as simple as that!

~~~WHAT I THOUGHT.

Midnight Tiger is a beautifully illustrated and written picture book. The rhyming, lyrical words flow across the page and compliment the atmospheric and colourful illustrations. The words actually seem to prowl through the book along with the tiger!

The text changes direction and style and generally enhances the feeling of the fluid feline movements. The pictures are bright, well drawn and full of life and vigour.

The book is aimed at children aged three and upwards and I would say this is a good judge of the appropriate audience. The little ones will enjoy looking at the magical pictures, listening to the tiger’s adventure and finding out the surprise ending. Older children will appreciate the poetic quality of the writing and enjoy learning who the tiger really is ~ they will maybe even guess and be really pleased with themselves!

The words used are pretty easy for children of all ages to understand and they just scream to be read aloud! Midnight Tiger isn’t a book to read alone ~ it is a book to share and enjoy!

The pages are full of lots of interesting and eye catching pictures and words that are often swirling around and sometimes hidden within the action. Midnight Tiger will capture your child’s imagination and keep their interest as they turn the pages.

As the tiger prowls through the night the other animals tremble as he passes ~ the book isn’t scary though and the ending brings reassurance, making this a good bedtime story with a feel good factor. Some of the pictures are dark and mysterious, but this just adds to the story and I don’t think it will be much of a worry to your children.

The book as a whole evokes mystery and excitement. It evokes a lovely atmosphere and adventure and also an air of wonder. I would recommend it to anyone who loves tigers and cats in general and also to people who appreciate a beautifully crafted picture book.

I am sure you and your child will share many hours of enjoyment reading Midnight Tiger and I’m pretty sure it will be one you read to and with them again and again. It is a delightful tale that is captivating and entertaining.

A much recommended read….and I didn’t give the ending away either!

~~~PRODUCT DETAILS.

• Hardcover 32 ages (October 16, 2003)
• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• ISBN: 0192791257
Current price is £10.99

Summary: Another beautifully illustrated children's story.