The Tiger Who Came to Tea by Judith Kerr is an impossibly possible story that captures the essence of childhood. This tale of a family who receive a dangerously exciting visitor opens up the imagination and views the world through a child’s eyes.
Sophie and her mummy sit down in the kitchen to have their tea when the doorbell rings. Who could it be?
Sophie opened the door, and there was a big, furry, stripy tiger.
The tiger asks, very politely, if he can come in for tea. Sophie’ s mummy agrees and the tiger sits down at the table.
The tiger’s veneer of politeness is quickly broken when Sophie’s mummy offers him a sandwich and he then proceeds to eat all the sandwiches on the plate, all the buns, all the biscuits and all the cake, until there is nothing left to eat on the table!
Sophie’s mummy offers the tiger a drink but he doesn’t just have a polite sip of tea. No! The tiger drinks all the tea in the teapot and all the milk in the milk jug.
Still unsatisfied the tiger starts to explore the kitchen. He eats all the food in the saucepans and the fridge, all the packets and tins in the cupboards, all the orange juice, all Daddy’s beer and all the water in the tap! What a greedy tiger!
Then, as quickly as he arrived, the tiger takes his leave and goes. Behind him is a trail of destruction and Sophie can’t even have a bath as the tiger drank all the water in the tap.
When Sophie’s daddy gets home they tell him about their extraordinary visitor. Dad decides that they should go to a café for supper. They all put on their coats and venture out into the dark streets and have sausages, chips and ice cream.
The next day Sophie and her mummy go shopping to re-stock the cupboards and they also buy a very big tin of Tiger Food, just in case!
Talk about
Children revel in delight at the idea of such a naughty (and potentially dangerous) guest gorging himself on the entire contents of the house. Children never fail to get the joke and this incredible situation is usually met with howls of laughter. The story is deceptively simple and fantastic fun, although it might be criticised for being a little dated, I think it is still a wonderful whimsical tale. Our copy is treasured and read over and over again.
Here are some ideas or questions that you might want to use to start a discussion in your family. You know your family and which questions they are ready to tackle now and which can be left for another day:
- How would you feel if a tiger came to your door and asked to come in for tea?
- What would you do?
- Do you think that your Mummy or Daddy would let the tiger in?
- Would you let the tiger eat all the food and drink all the drink?
- Is the tiger a good guest?
- How would the tiger behave differently if he was a good guest?
- If the tiger was well-behaved would the story be as funny?
- Who would you invite to your own tea party?
- What do you think would happen at your tea party?
- If you could go out to a restaurant and order anything at all, what would you order?
Crafts and activities for kids
The Tiger Who Came to Tea by Judith Kerr is thrilling for young children and also has enough warmth to ensure that the reader feels safe and able to enjoy the antics of the greedy tiger.
Take a look at the Pinterest Board full of crafts and activities for kids or take a look at the activities below, to accompany reading the book:
- Read and Create Easy Paper Tiger
- Read and Create Easy Tiger Craft for Kids
- Red Ted Art Tiger Bubble Wrap Printing
- Red Ted Art Paper Tea Cups
- Fun Crafts Kids Toilet Paper Teacups
- Look, Love, Create Tiger Collage
- Rainy Day Mum Tiger Animal Skin
- Nurture Store Tiger Finger Puppet
- Play, Create, Explore Shaving Cream Marbling Tiger
- Activity Village Wooden Spoon Tiger
Have you read any exciting stories this week?
This one of my all time favourite books - I still have my childhood copy, together with mob the Forgetful Cat! Great extension activities too.
TwinsplusTwo recently posted…Main Meals for Kids
I LOVE that the tiger drinks daddy’s beer!
Becky recently posted…What does a 3 year old know about money? (we asked Charlotte and Rose)
This is one of my favourite books from my childhood. I think my copy is still in my Mum’s attic somewhere. Must get it out so Cameron and I can read it.
My Life As A Mummy recently posted…The Gallery - Faces
This is one book that we have never gotten around to buying, I don’t know why! I know my son has read it at school and loves it.
Mummy of Two recently posted…Faces #TheGallery
This looks like a great childhood book. I’ve seen it a few times before but will definitely buy it next time i do x
Kerry recently posted…20 Healthy Snack Ideas For Toddlers
I love this book and my reception class love it as well
ninjacat recently posted…The Go To The Walk
My children love this story. There was a great retrospective of Judith Kerr at the Museum of Childhood a couple of years ago which was brilliant. My children were too young to enjoy it but I loved it!
Jenny recently posted…A classic tale brought to life
I can’t believe I have never read this story! We take my youngest daughter to the library every week as she has such an appetite for stories, so I will keep my eye out for this one.
Donna recently posted…I have learned ……
I haven’t done anywhere near enough craft with the boy lately. Am off to check out your pinterest board for inspiration
Oh this was one of my favorite books. My boys loved it too. Great activities too
Jen aka The Mad House recently posted…Encouraging picky eaters - kids in the kitchen
The Tiger Who Came to Tea is a favourite here too - some great activity suggestions
Absolute classic. I love this book. In fact I think I might go and dig our copy out right now so we can read it later.
Liz Burton recently posted…European themed lunchboxes
Such a lovely book!!
Such a classic, and this is a lovely review. The illustrations are beautiful too!
Amanda recently posted…Cricut Explore : The Ultimate in Crafting Technology?
We love this story and have read it many times at home. It is a great one to do some role play with too. Love your extension activities!
This is one of my absolutely favourite books, truly wonderful. What a great post, and some amazing ideas and activities to go along with it. Wish my kids were the right age now… *sniff*
Helen Neale ( recently posted…Parenting Tips Linky: Head lice treatment – blitz those nits!
We loved reading this book when Nathan was little. He always asked what supermarket stocked Tiger Food just in case he ever had a visit from a tiger as well!
I love this book, great post with brilliant ideas x
I love that each post of yours is full of useful information. I will be here all the time when Baby is a bit older x
We have been listening to the cd that comes with the book in the car for weeks now. Testament to how muhc I enjoy the book - I haven’t gone stir crazy with it yet!
Mammasaurus recently posted…Be that random person taking photos
This was a huge favourite in our house when I was little… I read somewhere about the inspiration behind the book, I will message you with it when I find it!
One of our favourites! We love Tiger who came to tea and I love how it leaves a thread of imagination at the end for each to make up their own continuation
I love The Tiger Who Came to Tea and it’s so beautifully illustrated as well, and Iove all your questions at the end; I just asked Little A, and she says no, she couldn’t invite a tiger in :o).
older mum in a muddle recently posted…The Listening Walk
I am sad to say this is a book that has escaped my radar. I will get a copy for Fran, I’m sure it would appeal to her.
Louisa recently posted…Being invested into the Cub Scouts
*whispers* I’ve never read this one, BUT it’s on our to read list 😉
Carolin recently posted…How to keep your kids safe on holiday
This was one of my brothers favourite story! Beautiful illustration 😉
This was one of my favourites as a child. I love how you come up with questions and activities to go with each book you review - the questions make me think and I think I know this book by heart
Vicky ( recently posted…Two trends entwined: The Neon Rainbow and Cool Mint - A Perfect Partnership
i never grow old reading this lovely illustrated story book, my son loves it
WE LOVE THIS BOOK! i’VE READ IT T ALL THREE OF MINE X
Polly recently posted…Mamaheart
My favourite book of them all. I love what you are doing with books, so beautiful and inspiring
LOVE LOVE LOVe this!! This was my fave EVER book when I was a kid!! I love your craft ideas! Great post!
ohh my kids adore this book, it still comes out sometimes even now. Mich x
Michelle Twin Mum recently posted…On being beautiful
Another great book, told in a great way, with great things to think about.
PinkOddy recently posted…Educational Ideas Round-Up #Kids Co-op
I’ve never been able to read this book in quite the same way since someone sent me a one star review of it on Amazon that was a feminist reading of the story. It was totally over the top, but made me laugh a lot. It was one of T’s favourites a few years ago, but we’ve not read it for ages. I think I’ll have to sneakily pop it somewhere prominent to see if I can nudge him into choosing it for a bedtime story again soon x
This has remained a favourite for years with all three of mine. I love the artwork. I’m now following the Pinterest board, it’s brilliant
Shell Louise recently posted…Slimming World - Back on track
I love these posts, you have some really lovely ideas of how to carry on the fun of the book
Kizzy recently posted…Smoked Salmon Pasta
This book looks like a lot of fun! I’ll look it up to read to my kids, thanks!
We LOVE this book. My 5 year old can recite the whole book without even opening a page! I have just started reading it to my three year old and she loves it x
Keri-Anne recently posted…Outspiration
We adore this book, it is one of our bedtime favourites!
Kara recently posted…Butlin’s - The Wave Hotel and Facilities
I have never heard of this book. Seems like everyone loves it-we will have to check it out. Thanks for the opportunity to link up
Stopping over from G+ Great Books for Kids Community.
one of my favourite books! we also love the Mog books x
Fritha Strickland recently posted…Inspiration Day with HomeSense
We absolutely adore this book in our house, such a classic. x
Lori recently posted…19/52