A Tiger Called Thomas - Hardcover

Zolotow, Charlotte; Diana Cain Bluthenthal

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 078680517X ISBN 13: 9780786805174

Publisher: Hyperion Books for Children, 2003

Synopsis

When shy Thomas moves into a new house on a new street, he takes it into his head that the new people might not like him. But when Halloween rolls around and Thomas sets out in a tiger-rific costume, he realizes the real trick to enjoying the treat of new friends is to just be himself. This tender story from veteran children's author Charlotte Zolotow explores the trials of being the new kid on the block, and the triumphs of showing your true stripes and finding a place among friends.

About this title

From Booklist:

PreS-Gr. 2. First published in 1963 with illustrations by Kurt Werth and reissued in 1988 with illustrations by Catherine Stock, this gentle story reappears with a few minor changes to the text and entirely new art. A shy little boy, Thomas is reluctant to meet his new neighbors, though he often watches them from his front stoop. When he dons a tiger costume for Halloween, Thomas feels bold enough to walk house to house and speak to people. He is surprised and happy to find that the neighbors recognize him and even seem to like him. Bluthenthal's stylized illustrations use geometrical shapes and watercolors, chalks, ink, and collage to create a new and varied setting. The immensely likable Thomas, whose brown skin and bald head give him a distinctive look inside the book, is delightfully portrayed as his tiger alter ego on the cover. A fresh interpretation of an old favorite. Carolyn Phelan
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

From School Library Journal:

PreSchool-Grade 2-A newly illustrated version of a story originally published in 1963, illustrated by Kurt Werth, and reillustrated in 1988 by Catherine Stock (both Lothrop; o.p.). Thomas is shy about making friends when he moves to a new neighborhood and for a long time refuses to leave his front stoop. But come Halloween, he dons a tiger costume and, hiding behind his long-whiskered mask, summons up the courage to go trick-or-treating. When he discovers that all of the neighbors know who he is despite his disguise and welcome him, he gains confidence. The illustrations, done in a mixture of watercolors, acrylics, black ink, and collage, perfectly capture the African-American child's loneliness and doubt, and finally his new self-assurance. An appealing edition of this warm and affectionate tale.
Sally R. Dow, Ossining Public Library, NY
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About this edition

• Publisher: Hyperion Books for Children
• Publication date: 2003
• ISBN 10: 078680517X
• ISBN 13: 9780786805174
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 32