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Heart of a Tiger
As the Name Day celebration approaches, a young kitten tries to deserve a noble name, by following the path of the beautiful Bengal tiger
32 pages, Hardcover
First published October 1, 1995
28 people want to read
About the author
Marsha Diane Arnold
24 books35 followersCalled a “born storyteller” by the media, Marsha Diane Arnold is a picture book author of 21 books, with over one million books sold. Her books have garnered honors from Best First Book to Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library to Smithsonian Notable and won state book awards. Her more recent books include Houghton Mifflin’s WAITING FOR SNOW, illustrated by Renata Liwska, and Roaring Brook Press’ LOST. FOUND., a Junior Library Guild selection which received three starred reviews and was illustrated by Caldecott winner Matthew Cordell. MAY I COME IN?, a book about inclusion and kindness, has just been released from Sleeping Bear Press and four new books are coming, including a bilingual book from Lee & Low, GALÁPAGOS GIRL.
Marsha enjoys sharing her love of story through school visits, manuscript consultations, her Writing Wonderful Character-Driven Picture Books e-course, and especially by reading to her three grandchildren.
Growing up on the Kansas prairies, Marsha lived in Northern California for most of her life. Now she lives with her husband in southwest Florida, near the Caloosahatchee River and her daughter’s family, only a short flight from her son’s family in NYC. Besides creating stories, her favorite activities are scuba diving and snorkeling, hiking, traveling, gardening, and climbing trees.
You may learn more about Marsha, her books, and her world, at www.marshadianearnold.com.
Marsha enjoys sharing her love of story through school visits, manuscript consultations, her Writing Wonderful Character-Driven Picture Books e-course, and especially by reading to her three grandchildren.
Growing up on the Kansas prairies, Marsha lived in Northern California for most of her life. Now she lives with her husband in southwest Florida, near the Caloosahatchee River and her daughter’s family, only a short flight from her son’s family in NYC. Besides creating stories, her favorite activities are scuba diving and snorkeling, hiking, traveling, gardening, and climbing trees.
You may learn more about Marsha, her books, and her world, at www.marshadianearnold.com.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
February 9, 2012
It's my first published book. I HAD to give it five stars. It's the story of Little Four who has a big dream: to give himself a name like the Beautiful Bengal Tiger on Naming Day. It's the story of how to follow your dream, and it's proven a guide for many, both young and old. This year, 2012, HEART OF A TIGER celebrates its 17th year in print. It had a rocky start though. 13 rejections before I found the editor who loved it as much as I did. I followed Little Four's path, one of perseverance and patience and I found the perfect editor. HEART OF A TIGER has garnered more honors than any of my other books now...after 13 rejections. Honors like "Best First Book by a New Author", State Children's Choice Awards, IRA Distinguished Book, Junior Library Guild Selection, and SCBWI Books for Children in Crisis. Thank you, Little Four, for leading the way.
September 30, 2018
The author is a graduate of KU. The book is a Show-Me winner and its easy to see why. This has been one of my favorite Show-Me Winners
Set in India, tells the story of Naming Day (an actual event that occurs not only in India, but in other Eastern and Asian countries, Australia and Africa).
A mother cat and her 4 kittens, simply labeled, #1, #2, #3, and #4 (the runt) are all eager.
However #4 doesn't like any of the nicknames his siblings or other animals give him: small, plain, etc.
He seeks out the mighty one, the tiger, whom he aspires to be. He knows he won't ever LITERALLY grow up to be a tiger, but he will prove his worth to a stubborn grouchy one.
Major sense of self-discovery, growing up, and bravery;
features beautiful and very realistic illustrations
this book would also be a great way to introduce children to exotic animals. Theyre not just birds or monkeys, they're more specific than that.
Set in India, tells the story of Naming Day (an actual event that occurs not only in India, but in other Eastern and Asian countries, Australia and Africa).
A mother cat and her 4 kittens, simply labeled, #1, #2, #3, and #4 (the runt) are all eager.
However #4 doesn't like any of the nicknames his siblings or other animals give him: small, plain, etc.
He seeks out the mighty one, the tiger, whom he aspires to be. He knows he won't ever LITERALLY grow up to be a tiger, but he will prove his worth to a stubborn grouchy one.
Major sense of self-discovery, growing up, and bravery;
features beautiful and very realistic illustrations
this book would also be a great way to introduce children to exotic animals. Theyre not just birds or monkeys, they're more specific than that.
December 30, 2017
Kitten Number Four's naming day approaches. He is small and laughed at by his siblings and the other animals. He wants a name to be proud of and goes to seek the tiger Beautiful Bengal to teach him to be worthy of a good name.
The story is probably best done as a read aloud due to vocabulary. The story revolves around having confidence in yourself and the courage to seek a better life.
The illustrations are bold and vivid reflecting the tropical jungle.
The climax is exciting.
The story is probably best done as a read aloud due to vocabulary. The story revolves around having confidence in yourself and the courage to seek a better life.
The illustrations are bold and vivid reflecting the tropical jungle.
The climax is exciting.
January 15, 2020
With Naming Day only a week away, a young kitten, wants to be like a Bengal tiger, and also choose a name that's fair and honest. As the runt of the litter, the gray kitten sets out to learn from the tiger to earn his name. The gray kitten learns much, but also learns that it cannot be a Bengal tiger on the outside, but he can be like one on the inside.
February 19, 2024
Beautiful illustrations. Books with an India backdrop have such colorful and detailed pictures that make the story that much more alive.
Cute story of a small kitten, the runt, who wants a brave name like the Bengal tiger. His bravery saves a friend, as well as earns him a strong name.
Cute story of a small kitten, the runt, who wants a brave name like the Bengal tiger. His bravery saves a friend, as well as earns him a strong name.
January 9, 2019
Ages 6-9. A cat who wants to be like a tiger.
January 3, 2026
Thinking Day Finland 2025
July 20, 2015
The book has a good message and an uncommon adventure story that kids this age can relate to. I'm especially drawn to the sweetness of gray kitty and the powerful beauty of the tiger in the illustrations. Heart of the tiger can artfully bring some Indian words and culture into the classroom.
Beware that Heart of the Tiger depicts elephants being used to hunt the tiger. The book can also be used to introduce the plight of tigers and a means of talking about animals at risk from hunting for consumption and sport - as well as the mass planetary extinction. It is however clearly an innocent book meant to teach bravery above all else.
Beware that Heart of the Tiger depicts elephants being used to hunt the tiger. The book can also be used to introduce the plight of tigers and a means of talking about animals at risk from hunting for consumption and sport - as well as the mass planetary extinction. It is however clearly an innocent book meant to teach bravery above all else.
March 1, 2011
Little Four is a small, timid kitten, who has a dream of one day having a large and powerful name that matches his inner strength. The animals have Naming Day (like some cultures in the world) and he wants to have a strong name like the Bengal tiger. Throughout the book, Little Four goes through many hard times and dangerous events to prove his worth to the Bengal tiger and finally wins his trust and approval and receives a strong name himself. This book is great for a large group story and will teach about not giving up and believing in yourself.
April 1, 2015
I read this when I was in elementary school, because the author came to our school to encourage reading. I remember absolutely loving this book as a kid, and I've actually returned to it a couple of times when I was older and suffering from nostalgia or just in need of some comfort from my childhood, and it was just as amazing as I remembered it. The drawings are beautiful, and the story and its themes are well written and powerful. This is a book that I plan on saving and reading to my kids, should I have them.
November 27, 2015
"In my heart I am bigger than what you see."
Number four is a little gray cat striving to find a name. He has seen Beautiful Bengal in the forest and goes in search of him so he can learn to be like him. This will give him a name of which he can be proud. But Bengal only sees a little cat in front of him. "How can one teach wisdom? How can one teach bravery?" But Number four shows his meddle when he saves Bengal from hunters and earns his name Heart of a Tiger.
Number four is a little gray cat striving to find a name. He has seen Beautiful Bengal in the forest and goes in search of him so he can learn to be like him. This will give him a name of which he can be proud. But Bengal only sees a little cat in front of him. "How can one teach wisdom? How can one teach bravery?" But Number four shows his meddle when he saves Bengal from hunters and earns his name Heart of a Tiger.
November 4, 2020
"Taunted for being the runt of the litter [of kittens], Number Four is determined to earn a name that represents what's in his heart - not his size or ordinary color" (from the description on the book jacket.) A very colorful setting, in India, and I agree with the description of Jamichael Henterly's illustrations as "exquisitely detailed".
December 17, 2014
If you love love LOVE cats...this book is for you! I thought it was a touch boring. The pictures are outstanding with a lot of texture and depth.
It talks about in some cultures people don't name their children until they are 1 years old. Until then they are Child 3..or something.
Okay book, not in love!
It talks about in some cultures people don't name their children until they are 1 years old. Until then they are Child 3..or something.
Okay book, not in love!
April 20, 2012
What does it means, "heart of a tiger?" A wonderful and colorful text that leads our young readers into the mystical land of India, where they will meet all kinds of animals on the Naming Day. This is a beautiful text about self-acceptance and friendship.
March 30, 2008
We checked it out when we checked out Two Brothers (film) from the library. Good pair. It is an excellent read-aloud for 7-10 year olds.
August 7, 2017
The cover makes me suspect the author read Tiger Flower as a kid.
June 11, 2010
The little gray kitten seeks a good name for himself in all the right ways. His study teaches him how to outsmart the hunters and save his friend, the tiger. Won the Show Me reader award.
April 19, 2011
The story about a small kitten who has a big dreams.
Great book to use when teaching about character traits.
S/S: can be used to teach about cultures around the world.
Great illustrations.
Great book to use when teaching about character traits.
S/S: can be used to teach about cultures around the world.
Great illustrations.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews