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Nature Storybooks
Tigress
One of nature’s most magical sights emerges from camouflage in this evocative, informative story about a mother tiger in the wild.
Moving smooth as a river, her stripy coat bright as fire, a mother tiger runs, then vanishes into the tall grass. With plate-sized paws and a pink nose the size of your fist, she hunts and swims, cares for her cubs, and teaches them all her tiger tricks. In a lyrical narrative interspersed with many intriguing facts, Nick Dowson reveals the hidden ways of a wild tigress and her cubs, while Jane Chapman brings the mysterious creatures to rippling, roaring life.
Moving smooth as a river, her stripy coat bright as fire, a mother tiger runs, then vanishes into the tall grass. With plate-sized paws and a pink nose the size of your fist, she hunts and swims, cares for her cubs, and teaches them all her tiger tricks. In a lyrical narrative interspersed with many intriguing facts, Nick Dowson reveals the hidden ways of a wild tigress and her cubs, while Jane Chapman brings the mysterious creatures to rippling, roaring life.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2004
74 people want to read
About the author
Nick Dowson
8 books3 followersNick Dowson is the author of TRACKS OF A PANDA and TIGRESS. A teacher and naturalist, he lives in Suffolk, England.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
March 6, 2018
This is one book whose cover was an attractive eye-catch even though the title itself really doesn't give the reader any idea of what the story is suppose to be about besides a female tiger. As such unless you read the summary on the back there is just not enough to go on.
The author does a wonderful job in making a book that is descriptive of the animal although some of it is a bit too much flourish. At other times the descriptions that are used give the reader a chance to understand the big cat since they know how big a plate is. But although the story is about how a tiger mother raises her cubs to prepare them for the world around them there aren't many examples given besides the major ones.
Fortunately for those who like to learn there are fun and related tiger facts provided on the page in italics. These facts are given more of an artistic leaning while one is used to outline the tiger's shape in one case. And just to help readers learn more there are about two paragraphs in the back that allow the reader a chance to get to know more about the tiger in general.
In general the illustrations were a lot better than the telling of the story and brightly colorful in some scenes while eerily beautiful in others. The only problem I seemed to have for the most part is the fact that the first sight of the cubs we are given they have been in the den longer than actually being newborns thus readers are missing out on a milestone. At the same time some of the other family dynamics don't show the possible size differences between the oldest tiger and her aging cubs nor male versus female.
In the end it was a good book about tigers and how they raise their young but not one that would make for a read that would capture some of the youngest readers.
The author does a wonderful job in making a book that is descriptive of the animal although some of it is a bit too much flourish. At other times the descriptions that are used give the reader a chance to understand the big cat since they know how big a plate is. But although the story is about how a tiger mother raises her cubs to prepare them for the world around them there aren't many examples given besides the major ones.
Fortunately for those who like to learn there are fun and related tiger facts provided on the page in italics. These facts are given more of an artistic leaning while one is used to outline the tiger's shape in one case. And just to help readers learn more there are about two paragraphs in the back that allow the reader a chance to get to know more about the tiger in general.
In general the illustrations were a lot better than the telling of the story and brightly colorful in some scenes while eerily beautiful in others. The only problem I seemed to have for the most part is the fact that the first sight of the cubs we are given they have been in the den longer than actually being newborns thus readers are missing out on a milestone. At the same time some of the other family dynamics don't show the possible size differences between the oldest tiger and her aging cubs nor male versus female.
In the end it was a good book about tigers and how they raise their young but not one that would make for a read that would capture some of the youngest readers.
April 17, 2018
This is a lovely book, the cover is what attracted me to this and it’s just filled with some great facts and stunning illustrations that many kids will enjoy. ‘Tigress’ is a picture book a bit wider than A4 in size but shorter in height and is filled with some lovely thick glossy pages. Each page or double page is filled with a sort of non-fiction story of the a tiger mother and her cubs and there are some amazing images throughout.
As the title suggests this book follows the life of a Tigress raising its cubs. Like a documentary it’s a non-fiction book but follows this ‘story’ as it goes on to explain some interesting facts about the life of tigers. The book begins with the tiger mother and explains how well camouflaged a tiger can be before moving onto how the tigress looks after its young by seeking out a new den, moving them, feeding them, hunting, etc. Each page has something to learn about the tigers and although I personally know most of this already, having watched lots of nature programs and read lots of books on nature over the years, I know I would have enjoyed learning these facts as a child.
The story of the tigress and her cubs moves forward and shows her licking and looking after young cubs that need milk, then shows the cubs at six months old and then near adult stage before ending with the cubs being old enough to care for themselves. Although I like this story it did feel rushed when on the next page the cubs were suddenly older. I also felt that although I really enjoy the text and overall facts, some of which I found interesting like the white marks on their ears, I found some of the text, especially the main text on each page sometimes a bit different, perhaps almost poetic to read in a way that the youngest of children may not fully understand. It’s not a big issue and doesn’t take away from the facts or the story at all but I felt it could have been explained in an even simpler way – this is especially clear to me since comparing this book with others like ‘Ice Bear’ from the Nature Storybooks collection.
The illustrations are so stunning they are what drew me to this book! Every page is filled with a beautiful and quite detailed image of a tiger, or tigers and their surroundings. These images are so realistic to the point you can make out the individual hairs on the tiger and there’s something just so magical and beautiful about a book with such pictures. I love the image of the tigress in the water it’s just so realistic and you can’t help but feel for these animals. I also liked the paisley design used in areas without the pictures like the front and back of the book and around some of the text. The only part of the images I wasn’t so keen on was the poor wild pig that is obviously being hunted by the tigers. It looks scared and it made that moment feel sad, however it’s part of nature and the book doesn’t go into details other than the fact the tigers show teeth and will now eat.
I would still recommend this book despite the fact the text at times I felt the text could be more simple. I do like this style of text but because this book is aimed at young children I think it can be a bit of an issue for some. However the illustrations and overall feel of this book does win me over and I still find myself looking at this book again and again, for the pictures alone! The back page of the book has some quick information and notes for teachers and parents and this book does support Key Stages 1-2 of both Science and English which makes this a good book for learning both at home and in the classroom. I would certainly give this book to any kids interested in learning more about these beautiful animals.
-Thanks to Walker Books for a free copy.
As the title suggests this book follows the life of a Tigress raising its cubs. Like a documentary it’s a non-fiction book but follows this ‘story’ as it goes on to explain some interesting facts about the life of tigers. The book begins with the tiger mother and explains how well camouflaged a tiger can be before moving onto how the tigress looks after its young by seeking out a new den, moving them, feeding them, hunting, etc. Each page has something to learn about the tigers and although I personally know most of this already, having watched lots of nature programs and read lots of books on nature over the years, I know I would have enjoyed learning these facts as a child.
The story of the tigress and her cubs moves forward and shows her licking and looking after young cubs that need milk, then shows the cubs at six months old and then near adult stage before ending with the cubs being old enough to care for themselves. Although I like this story it did feel rushed when on the next page the cubs were suddenly older. I also felt that although I really enjoy the text and overall facts, some of which I found interesting like the white marks on their ears, I found some of the text, especially the main text on each page sometimes a bit different, perhaps almost poetic to read in a way that the youngest of children may not fully understand. It’s not a big issue and doesn’t take away from the facts or the story at all but I felt it could have been explained in an even simpler way – this is especially clear to me since comparing this book with others like ‘Ice Bear’ from the Nature Storybooks collection.
The illustrations are so stunning they are what drew me to this book! Every page is filled with a beautiful and quite detailed image of a tiger, or tigers and their surroundings. These images are so realistic to the point you can make out the individual hairs on the tiger and there’s something just so magical and beautiful about a book with such pictures. I love the image of the tigress in the water it’s just so realistic and you can’t help but feel for these animals. I also liked the paisley design used in areas without the pictures like the front and back of the book and around some of the text. The only part of the images I wasn’t so keen on was the poor wild pig that is obviously being hunted by the tigers. It looks scared and it made that moment feel sad, however it’s part of nature and the book doesn’t go into details other than the fact the tigers show teeth and will now eat.
I would still recommend this book despite the fact the text at times I felt the text could be more simple. I do like this style of text but because this book is aimed at young children I think it can be a bit of an issue for some. However the illustrations and overall feel of this book does win me over and I still find myself looking at this book again and again, for the pictures alone! The back page of the book has some quick information and notes for teachers and parents and this book does support Key Stages 1-2 of both Science and English which makes this a good book for learning both at home and in the classroom. I would certainly give this book to any kids interested in learning more about these beautiful animals.
-Thanks to Walker Books for a free copy.
January 3, 2018
With fewer than 6,000 tigers left in the World today, this couldn't be a more important book to read to young children (not to mention it's filled with facts like that one so even adults can learn a thing or two!).
A story graced with stunning illustrations, really they are so beautiful, of a tiger and her three cubs having fun, hunting, swimming and finding their own territory. The story is told partly as though you are following the tiger but partly with facts as well; this makes for the perfect blend of fact and fiction to make learning fun for children.
A really wonderful picture book - engaging, well-illustrated and informative fun for children.
ARC provided free from the publishers in exchange for an honest review.
A story graced with stunning illustrations, really they are so beautiful, of a tiger and her three cubs having fun, hunting, swimming and finding their own territory. The story is told partly as though you are following the tiger but partly with facts as well; this makes for the perfect blend of fact and fiction to make learning fun for children.
A really wonderful picture book - engaging, well-illustrated and informative fun for children.
ARC provided free from the publishers in exchange for an honest review.
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October 2, 2019“Tigress” is a non-fiction book. It gives many true facts about tigers. This book goes through the daily tasks of a mother tiger as she raises her cubs. In large print, the story of the tiger family is told, but in smaller print within every opening, more detailed facts about tigers are given. As readers turn page to page, the cubs grow larger and learn from their mother. Eventually, the tigress leaves her cubs to find their own territories. I would recommend this book because it has great illustrations and the information about tigers is given in a unique way. Giving both a narrative version of how tigresses raise their young, along with the smaller print facts about tigers is a fun way to learn about the species.
September 8, 2019
This book has some interesting facts about tigers with beautiful illustrations, but I can't imagine it becoming a child's favourite as there is no story, a few words are quite advanced and most children's books seem to be fun and written as poetry which this one isn't.
September 29, 2017
I liked using this unique picture book as an effective mentor text for figurative language.
March 28, 2019
A lovely book about the life of a tiger
April 15, 2022
Has a poetry like story and informative tiger facts. Amazing, realistic art!
March 7, 2022
Good book. Like the language of it.
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September 11, 2013Tigress is a nature storybook, written by teacher Nick Dowson. I picked this book because the illustrations which were done by Jane Chapman are absolutely breath taking. The use of colour and great detail makes them really stand out. The book also comes with a C.D. and on this you will find the Tigress story read by actor Stephen Tompkinson, a song called ‘Melting Tiger’, tiger secrets and facts and also a read along version of Tigress.
Tigress tells the story of a female Tiger, who raises her two cubs to be able to survive, on their own in the wild. We see her moving her cubs, searching for food and teaching them how to look after themselves. Along the way, we learn loads of interesting things about the tigress and her cubs, for example, the tigress’ coat of fur is like a camouflage “she can look exactly like a patch of forest, just by being there. When she stalks slowly through leaves and shadows, or crouches still in elephant grass, her fiery stripy coat seems to vanish like magic.” As well as reading the story about the tigress, other facts can be found throughout the book which add to the educational value of the book as a whole.
There is so much to like about this book. As it is written by a teacher, it is clear that it was written specifically to aid children’s learning. When I first looked at the book at the library, I was drawn to the visual aspect of the spectacular illustrations. It was not until I took the book home and actually read it, that I realised how much of an asset this book will be in the future as part of a science class with all the amazing facts and the song that accompanies it. After reading it a number of times, I simply could not fault it.
This book was written to support key stages 1 and 2 science, so it is the perfect aid when covering this topic in class. At the back of the book it also gives a list of other similar nature storybooks that would be useful to have in the classroom and I will definitely be looking at them in the near future. I must give this book 10/10.
Tigress tells the story of a female Tiger, who raises her two cubs to be able to survive, on their own in the wild. We see her moving her cubs, searching for food and teaching them how to look after themselves. Along the way, we learn loads of interesting things about the tigress and her cubs, for example, the tigress’ coat of fur is like a camouflage “she can look exactly like a patch of forest, just by being there. When she stalks slowly through leaves and shadows, or crouches still in elephant grass, her fiery stripy coat seems to vanish like magic.” As well as reading the story about the tigress, other facts can be found throughout the book which add to the educational value of the book as a whole.
There is so much to like about this book. As it is written by a teacher, it is clear that it was written specifically to aid children’s learning. When I first looked at the book at the library, I was drawn to the visual aspect of the spectacular illustrations. It was not until I took the book home and actually read it, that I realised how much of an asset this book will be in the future as part of a science class with all the amazing facts and the song that accompanies it. After reading it a number of times, I simply could not fault it.
This book was written to support key stages 1 and 2 science, so it is the perfect aid when covering this topic in class. At the back of the book it also gives a list of other similar nature storybooks that would be useful to have in the classroom and I will definitely be looking at them in the near future. I must give this book 10/10.
January 6, 2010
Again I thought my two year old would like this because it is about tigers, but I found the over-written language annoying. The pictures are beautiful, but not exciting to a toddler. As a teacher, I did like the tiger facts in italics throughout the book, but they weren't enough to redeem the book. Here is a book that adults will like more than children will.
March 3, 2009
We got this as a book on CD from the library. It was very well done. Jane Chapman does a phenomenal job with the illustrations (as usual). In addition to the story, each page also includes a fact about tiger behavior in the wild. Probably best for ages 5 and up.
February 10, 2010
Ok, I didn't really like the story. In fact, I teared up at the end when all the tigers went their own way, but Madeleine loved this one. She cried when we took it back to the library. The illustrations are beautiful.
March 16, 2009
Both kids love learning about animals, and they really just loved the illustrations of the beautiful tigers. Perfect for after our visit to see the new tiger at the Vilas Zoo.
October 6, 2010
Has facts about tigers in addition to lyrical story about raising tiger cubs.
May 22, 2014
This is a book for little kids who are interested in tigers and want to know something about their lives. Beautiful illustrations.
January 9, 2015
This has a LOT of educational information about tigers for a picture book! We all learned something new about tigers! The illustrations are beautiful.
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November 12, 2015Rawwwwwr!
January 29, 2017
This is a beautifully illustrated book. It is informative but written simply enough for young children to understand and enjoy.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews