April 2012 Debut of the Month. A Tiger Too Many is enchanting from the word go and very readable. The sentences are short and concise with no waffle and therefore the story goes forward quite briskly and the reader’s attention is held. Although a work of fiction it is so interwoven in historical fact that you feel the senses of sight, sound, hearing, smell and touch within the narrative giving the story a three dimensional feel to it and it’s brought to life in a very realistic way.
The story is set during the first year of the Second World War and the author’s research included close consultation with a zoological historian who also lived through the War, to ensure its authenticity. Jill is the main protagonist and her story is an inspiring one for when war breaks out her courage, determination and inability to accept what might appear inevitable comes to the fore. Even when she’s evacuated to the country, leaving her mother and a tiger she has befriended at London Zoo behind, and treated cruelly by the family who takes her in, she doesn’t give up. Eventually she runs away back to London. With no sign of her mother and scenes of devastation in and around the zoo she decides to find and rescue Ronny the tiger.
There’s a tear-jerking happy ending to leave readers on a high note. A Tiger Too Many is a dramatic and powerful page-turner and perfect to read aloud to a child or for a child aged 9+ to enjoy alone.
Set in London Zoo during World War II, it is a tense tale of a young girl’s desperate struggle to save her beloved tiger-cub. Despite the traumas of air-raids and evacuation, and her older brother going missing in action, Jill never gives up, even when the zoo itself is bombed and she finds herself amongst the burning debris...
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Set in London Zoo during World War II, it is a tense tale of a young girl’s desperate struggle to save her beloved tiger-cub. Despite the traumas of air-raids and evacuation, and her older brother going missing in action, Jill never gives up, even when the zoo itself is bombed and she finds herself amongst the burning debris...
The LoveReading4Kids Editorial Team have read and reviewed A Tiger Too Many and determined it is suitable for children aged 9-12 years old
A Tiger Too Many features in the following genres: Debuts of the Month, Recommendations, Featured Books for 9+ readers, Featured Books for 11+ readers
Paperback. Not Available.
A Tiger Too Many was written by Antony Wootten and published by Eskdale Publishing (Grosmont)