A Folk Tale Of the World (The Tiger Child - Joanna Troughton)

Member Name: Emmamac1

Product:	The Tiger Child - Joanna Troughton
Date:	21/08/09 (89 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Teaches children about different cultures and the concept of a folk tale

Disadvantages: Little ones may believe the story

It is important to teach children about different cultures. It is part of the National Curriculum and through literacy the children can learn about various folk tales from around the world. Joanna Troughton has written a series of 14 books, each explaining a different folk tale. These book are superbly written, and enjoyable for children. The Tiger Child is one of the collection.

The Tiger Child is a book which I have had in my collection for a number of years and enjoyed sharing it with my boys and with the various classes which I have taught.

This folk tale comes from Orissa in India. It is based on the idea that animals use to cook their food on fire, which man then took away. It also explains how the domesticated cat came about.

The story starts with the Tiger cooking his food, but then the fire goes out. He will have to go to the village to get more fire. When he gets to the village everyone is scared of him and they hide in their houses. So, Tiger enlists his nephew to go to the village and get fire. Nobody would be scared of a cute tiger cub.

As with most youngsters, the tiger cub has such a nice time playing on his way to the village, he completely forgets what he has to collect. The villagers are not scared and spoil him with milk, fish, a cushion and give him a groom. They all try and help him remember, but to no avail.

Meanwhile back in the forest, poor old Tiger is hungry, waiting for the cub and fire. At night he decides to visit the village and discovers tiger cub curled up asleep. He utters "You are a CAT". From that day on Tiger ate his food raw. As for the tiger cub he had been spoilt by the humans and became domesticated, and from that day on cats have stayed with humans.

The book is beautifully illustrated by Joanna Troughton. Each page is fully illustrated with warm colours. The pictures are fun with lots of characteristics. The scenes in the village depict earlier life in an Indian village. The people are self sufficient, which makes an interesting discussion point with the listeners when comparing it to their own life's. Just by looking at the pictures you can tell the story, the detail involved explains fully what is happening.

The story is written in a very simplistic way. The language used is child friendly and I would say the book is suitable for 4 - 10 year olds. Younger children often do not comprehend that the story is a folk tale, so can take the meaning literally. It still is a great story full of adventure and traditional life in another culture.

In my opinion The Tiger Child is a smashing book for children to enjoy. It is a simple and fun way to educate children and expand their outlook on the wider world, making them more aware of different cultures and ideals. My boys often ask me to read this tale, as they find it entertaining and really get involved in the story. It is often followed with a "really" from my youngest, believing it all to be true.

The Tiger Child can be bought from various bookshops from around £5.50. It is published by Puffin.

Summary: A great educational book