Today is Day Six of Christie Wright Wild’s PB 14:14…I’d forgotten how difficult it is to do a blog post every day. But I’m loving that it is giving me an excuse to read a picture book every day. If you click on this link, you’ll be able to see what books everyone else is reading: http://christiewrightwild.blogspot.com/2015/02/day-6-imogenes-last-stand-by-candace.html

Right before I moved from Colorado, I had the opportunity to attend an indie bookstore event for author/illustrator Peter Brown. Not only did he read his newest book, but he also interacted with the audience as he demonstrated how he drew the main character, Mr. Tiger.

Title: Mr. Tiger Goes Wild

Author and Illustrator: Peter Brown

Publisher: Little, Brown and Company

Date: 2013

Word Count: 220 estimated

Top Ten Element: Character and Plot and Pacing and Dialogue and Conflict and Theme and Beginnings & Endings and Word Play and Patterns…I think the only element missing is Rhyme.

Opening Lines:

Everyone was perfectly fine with the way things were. Everyone but Mr. Tiger.

(and the ending lines: Now Mr. Tiger felt free to be himself…and so did everyone else.)

I love everything about this book…and so does my grandson. The character of Mr. Tiger is kind of a role model for the child listening to the story – someone who doesn’t like how things are, so he stands up and speaks out. Then he decides to go away so that he can live the way he wants to. But he misses his friends and returns…to find that others followed his lead and things aren’t so prim and proper anymore.

The dialogue is lots of fun…from the prim and proper friends, “Peculiar” “Unacceptable” “Hmm” ”Mr. Tiger! If you must act wild kindly do so in the wilderness!”…to Mr. Tiger,”What a magnificent idea!”

And the conflict – oh my – try to fit in even though he is not happy – should he stay or should he go? Once he leaves and is in the wilderness and is lonely – should he stay or should he go?

If you are lucky enough to get a copy of this book, take off the dust jacket and see how creative Peter was…bold tiger stripes on both the front and back cover!