Strong, powerful and incredibly beautiful, tigers are both feared and loved across the globe. They are greatly admired, appearing in many plays, fables, songs, TV shows and theatre productions. But what are the top five tiger characters in children’s books? Let’s find out.
When a mysterious tiger shows up at little Sophie’s door, he ends up eating and drinking everything in her home including all the buns, biscuits and cake until there is nothing left. Sophie couldn’t even have a bath because he drank all the water in the tap. He then leaves, never to be seen again. Children love this mysterious story penned by Judith Kerr, so much so that it has now been turned into The Tiger Who Came To Tea musical. This magical show, suitable for children aged three and above, is currently playing at the Theatre Royal Haymarket in London.
Believe it or not, Tigger has now been a childhood favourite for almost 100 years. Energetic, optimistic and extremely bouncy, he adds a lively dynamic to the group from the Hundred Acre Wood and is often found trying to cheer up poor Eeyore. His efforts to support his friends tend to end with mishaps, but his loving, if rambunctious, nature is certainly endearing. Of course, as he puts it himself, “the most wonderful thing about Tiggers is I’m the only one! Rrrrow!”
Every good story needs a villain or an antagonist and Shere Khan is exactly that in Rudyard Kipling’s The Jungle Book. He fears ‘man’ and therefore does everything in his power to hunt down the cute little man cub known as Mowgli. As a fierce Bengal tiger, Shere Khan has a powerful and frightening presence and represents the dangers of the jungle.
“It’s a beautiful day in the neighbourhood” whenever Daniel Tiger is near. This beloved tiger is extremely sweet, helping little ones to learn important social and emotional skills through relatable stories and (in the TV series) catchy songs. One example includes the song ‘Grown-ups Come Back,’ which helps explain that nursery doesn’t have to be scary, as parents will come back.
In this beautiful and original picture book by Peter Brown, Mr. Tiger decides to embrace his true self, breaking free from societal expectations that weigh heavily on him. His journey encourages children to be themselves and embrace their individuality, showing that this can ultimately lead to greater happiness.
If you’re interested in The Tiger Who Came To Tea play, book your tickets with KX Tickets today and enjoy a show filled with clumsy chaos, singalong songs and plenty of interactive fun. The production is currently in London for a limited summer run, as well as being on tour across the UK.