As a former librarian and current homeschooling mom, I love collecting books to add to my home library. My kids both love cats, so any books with feline protagonists are always huge hits in my house. When recently offered the chance to review Stripes the Tiger by Jean Leroy with illustrations from Berengere Delaporte in exchange for my honest opinion, I eagerly accepted the opportunity to expand my home book collection. The 32-page book currently retails for $15.99 with a sale price of $11.91 on Amazon.
Author and Illustrator
Currently residing in Villeneuve-d’Ascq, France, author Jean Leroy is a former school teacher who has been a full-time writer since 2010. Illustrator Berengere Delaporte spends her time working on children’s books and magazines from her home in Besancon, France.
Text
“Stripes is the fiercest hunter in the jungle…well, actually, that’s what Stripes would like to be. Stripes is a small tabby cat, just big enough to sharpen his claws on the couch,” begins Stripes the Tiger. Recommended for readers between the ages of 4 and 8, the full-color hardback book with dust jacket follows Stripes, a young and rambunctious tabby cat who challenges his owner at every turn. After Stripes wreaks havoc everywhere, his owner takes him to the zoo to see his idol, a real tiger. But both Stripes and his owner are in for a surprise. In the end, Stripes learns that you should always follow your internal roar (or purr) — no matter how loud or soft.
I really like the lesson that Stripes the Tiger depicts. The message that who you are on the inside is most important is something that I am striving to teach my children. My four-year-old kindergartener, who has been reading on her own for a little over six months, can already read most of the text herself. She only needs a little prompting with some of the less familiar words. Both my kids enjoy hearing me read the book aloud. The ending, in particular, makes my daughter giggle out loud. I anticipate reading this adorable book out loud to my children for many years to come!
Illustrations
I really love the full-color illustrations in Stripes the Tiger. First, the cover is absolutely hilarious! Originally named Stripes the Cat, the rambunctious little tabby has scratched away the word cat and etched on the word tiger. The rest of the drawn pictures throughout the story are equally funny. My kids especially enjoy the end when Stripes visits the real tiger at the zoo. I am quite impressed with the fun illustrations and look forward to checking out the pictures for many reads to come!
Final Verdict
If you are searching for a new book for a little reader who loves cats, I highly recommend Stripes the Tiger by Jean Leroy and illustrated by Berengere Delaporte. Stripes is a young and rambunctious tabby cat who longs to be a tiger. After testing his owner’s patience again, his owner takes him to the zoo to see his idol. What both the reader and Stripes learn is hilariously surprising. I love the positive message of the book: that you should always follow your internal roar (or purr). My kindergartener can already read most of the text on her own, which is recommended for readers between the ages of 4 and 8. The pictures are also funny, starting with the cover illustrations. My kids and I give Stripes the Tiger a glowing recommendation!
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Image Credits
‘Stripes the Tiger’ Book Review © 2016 Heather Johnson
Cover of ‘Stripes the Tiger’ © 2016 Heather Johnson
Inside Pages of ‘Stripes the Tiger’ 1 © 2016 Heather Johnson
Inside Pages of ‘Stripes the Tiger’ 2 © 2016 Heather Johnson
Inside Pages of ‘Stripes the Tiger’ 3 © 2016 Heather Johnson