A TIGER LIKE ME
By: Michael Engler
Illustrated by: Joelle Tourlonias
Translated by: Laura Watkinson
Published: August 1, 2019
Publisher: Amazon Crossing
Fiction
Originally published in Germany, this translated children’s story shares a day in a little boy/tiger’s life. As the tiger wakes up and gives a ROAR! he starts his day as any tiger would…avoiding a quick washing in the bathroom, eating breakfast, playing in the snow, and crafting with his tiger mom and tiger dad. Then, it is eventually bedtime and tomorrow he can start the process all over again.
Many kids go through a stage of pretending to be an animal or a superhero. I remember our neighbor’s son wore a superhero costume every day for a while and I’m happy to say he eventually decided to wear regular clothes. This little boy has a vivid imagination and spends his days acting like a tiger. The pretend-play is harmless and encourages creativity even if he doesn’t think tigers need to take a bath or brush their teeth.
The illustrations of the boy/tiger are adorable and the pages offer a calm and comforting feel. I especially liked how the pages got darker as it got closer to nighttime. The text of the story seems a bit old for the target audience of toddler to preschool age. But, it could be a translation issue. Reading this book with your child and finding the cute little stuffed animals on the pages can help them reflect on their day and get them ready to tuck in for the night, no matter what animal or superhero they might be.
Michael Engler studied visual communication in Düsseldorf, Germany, and first worked as a scriptwriter and illustrator. He then spent several years as an art director at advertising agencies. He is currently a freelance author in Düsseldorf, writing children’s books and plays for the theater and radio. He has written more than fifteen children’s books. Learn more about him online at www.michaelengler.com.
Joëlle Tourlonias was born in Hanau, Germany, and studied visual communication with an emphasis on illustration and painting at the Bauhaus University Weimar. She is the illustrator of more than thirty children’s books. She continues to draw, paint, and live in Düsseldorf. Learn more about her online at www.joelletourlonias.blogspot.com.
Laura Watkinson is an award-winning translator of books for young readers and adults. She is a three-time winner of the Batchelder Award and also won the Vondel Prize for Dutch-English translation. Originally from the United Kingdom, she now lives in Amsterdam. Learn more online at www.laurawatkinson.com.
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SPACE BOY AND THE SNOW MONSTER
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Posted Under Book Review, Children's books, imagination, Joelle Tourlonias, Kid Konnection, Laura Watkinson, Michael Engler