The Tiger Who Came to Tea
A polite tiger eats everything in the house, and absolutely nobody panics. Perfect.
Why they ask for it again
A wild thing arrives and the grown-ups simply cope. The politeness is hilarious, and also deeply comforting.
Our review
There is a ring at the door, and Sophie and her mummy find a big, furry tiger who would like some tea. He eats all the food, drinks all of Daddy's beer, and even drinks all the water from the tap. He then leaves, and is never seen again. Nobody makes any fuss about any of it.
The tone is the whole trick. Kerr, who fled the Nazis as a child, treats a chaotic intruder with cheerful English calm, and adults have spent decades arguing about what the tiger means. Children do not care. They just want to know how much he can eat.
How to read it aloud
Keep your voice terribly polite and slightly bored. "Excuse me, but I'm very hungry" is funniest if the tiger has lovely manners.
The catch
It is a touch long for a tired toddler, and the household it shows is very 1968. Daddy brings the solution; Mummy does the shopping.
Is it scary?
The tiger is friendly and tidy, and leaves without hurting anybody.
Books like The Tiger Who Came to Tea, and what to read next
Room on the BroomMore friendly chaos, faster paced and in rhyme.
Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!A very different book about a very determined animal.
The Paper Bag PrincessAnother calm girl who is unfazed by a very large beast.
Quick answers
What age is The Tiger Who Came to Tea for?
Ages 2–6. The sweet spot, in our opinion, is age 3 to 4.
How long does The Tiger Who Came to Tea take to read aloud?
About 7 minutes at a calm bedtime pace, by our estimate. Allow longer if you do the voices.
Is The Tiger Who Came to Tea scary?
The tiger is friendly and tidy, and leaves without hurting anybody.
What should we read after The Tiger Who Came to Tea?
We would suggest Room on the Broom, Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!, The Paper Bag Princess.