Don't Be Afraid, Little Ones

by M. Christina Butler, Caroline Pedler

Deep in the soft green shadows of the jungle two tiny cubs pounce and play with their mother. But then one night Mother Tiger goes into the jungle to hunt. Left alone, the cubs find the night seems much bigger and darker than before.

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2007

About the author

M Christina Butler was born in Scarborough. She had an idyllic childhood in the country where she spent her weekends playing on a farm among the animals. Christina has worked as a nurse, a pre-school nursery supervisor, and a governor at her local primary school, as well as writing a number of children’s books. She now lives close to York.

Reviews

[Amy Whiffin · Rating 3 out of 5]

The front cover of the book is very inviting with the cute little cubs. The story itself is rather predictable, with the Year One children I read it to guessing the outcome!

The two cubs and their mother are in the jungle snuggling up when their mother decides to go into the jungle to hunt, leaving her two cubs behind. The book firstly shows a dilemma between the cubs of whether to go and look for their mother after she has disappeared for a long time. Eventually they come to the conclusion to search for their mother, not realising how scary the jungle can be. After their adventure through the jungle they hear some eerie noises and see a shadow-which ends up being their mother!

I recommend this book for Early Years and Key Stage One. As I previously stated the book was predictable. However, the characters of the cubs themselves are endearing. The images complement the story well. The book teaches children to not wonder off and listen to their parents. I enjoyed that the shadow did end up being the mother as if it was another animal I think it would frighten children. Saying this I think it is important to make children aware that the cubs were lucky that it was their mother.

In the classroom the book is useful for describing a setting-in this case a jungle. Therefore it is good for creative writing. It is also good for introducing animals and the different names of the babies of animals-in this case a baby tiger is a cub.

[Book Grocer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Purchase Dont Be Afraid, Little Ones here for just $6!

A sweet story helps children learn that parents will come home and that being alone isn't scary.

Alicia, The Book Grocer

[Isaac · Rating 5 out of 5]

"I liked that Drew read this book to me. I like that it was about tigers. The mom snuggled with them. Then the cubs got lost. They heard a noise and it was their mother." --Isaac, age 5

[Md Afzaal Alwafier · Rating 5 out of 5]

My chilhood book.

[Rahiel Woldu · Rating 2 out of 5]

A short read that would be ideal for Early Years to Year 1. The story focuses on the relationship between a tiger and her two young cubs. It follows the little family as the cubs grow stronger each day and learn to work on and coordinate their natural capabilities, such as making surprise attacks and pouncing, all under the watchful eye of their affectionate mother. The book is filled with colourful, gentle and wispy images that really set the scene of the jungle that creates a more child-friendly and serene ambiance to the story. But one night when Mother Tiger leaves her cubs to go on a hunt, the cubs start to see the intimidating side of the jungle darkness that fills them with anxiety, consequently they desperately long for the quick return of their loving mother. The cubs decide to go in search of their mother, roaming through the jungle in the ‘silver patterns of moonlight’. Tension starts to build as the two cubs start to notice that dark shapes and shadows are following them through the trees. They suddenly hear a noise behind them, ‘RUSTLE! CRACKLE! SWISH!’ – a great introduction to onomatopoeia. As the cubs rush through the grass after the sounds come closer, they reach the swirling dark, deep river where they can no longer go further. The cubs have no choice but to face whatever fearsome creature they believe is pursuing them, even if it is a crocodile! Standing together and in their loudest, fiercest voices, they roared, “We’re not afraid of you!” The creature turned out to be Mother Tiger stepping out from the grass; a relief young children will feel after the suspense.

Young children will remain engaged throughout the story as they will wonder how the two cubs will possibly escape from the clutches of the mysterious creature, which is chasing them, without the protection of their mother. The language used throughout the story can be used to demonstrate to children how the choice of words can make the description of a setting more effective and create imagery. In this aspect, it would be beneficial during a Creative Writing lesson in order to inspire children when describing their own story settings.

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book. I change the cubs names to Natalie and Joey while reading it to my kids. I can actually get out of reading a robot book if this is one of the options!