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Tiger, Tiger, Burning Bright! An animal poem for every day of the year
A collection of animal poems from around the world, one for every day of the year.
325 pages, Hardcover
Published September 1, 2020
31 people are currently reading
339 people want to read
About the author
Fiona Waters
111 books14 followersiona Waters is renowned in the world of children’s books for her passion, enthusiasm, and encyclopedic knowledge of children’s literature. She has published more than eighty titles, including Sing a Song of Seasons, and her work has been translated into many different languages all over the world. Born and raised in Edinburgh, Fiona Waters now lives in the South of England with thousands of books and several very discerning cats.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
January 24, 2022
4.5 Stars
Mel 🖤🐶🐺🐾
Mel 🖤🐶🐺🐾
April 19, 2021
4.5 stars
A massive book of animal related poems. Seems to be published by the National Trust, I would definitely buy a copy if I came across one.
This is a beautiful big book, I would guess 35cm x 30cm and very thick. It is wonderful to look through, really beautiful illustrations. A great range of poems from different eras. This would make a great present form somebody, a nice book for a family or school. I would highly recommend seeing if your local library has this.
A massive book of animal related poems. Seems to be published by the National Trust, I would definitely buy a copy if I came across one.
This is a beautiful big book, I would guess 35cm x 30cm and very thick. It is wonderful to look through, really beautiful illustrations. A great range of poems from different eras. This would make a great present form somebody, a nice book for a family or school. I would highly recommend seeing if your local library has this.
December 31, 2023
I love nature, I love having something to read every day, and I love poetry (though I am picky). So I had to get this.
Picking favorites to show you the design of the book and some examples of poems was really hard this time. I loved almost every bit of this, especially the fact that the book had a nice mix of animals and their habitats from the world over as well as all kinds of poetic forms instead of just the usual stuff.
So here is my selection for you:
It's almost a tradition now that I read some poetry collection that has one poem for every day of the year. Sadly, I was very bad this year and didn't read every day, sometimes not for months, but since I really love the design of this, I'll be sure to re-read it in the not too distant future. ;P
Yo seah, fantastic book that I wholeheartedly recommend.
Picking favorites to show you the design of the book and some examples of poems was really hard this time. I loved almost every bit of this, especially the fact that the book had a nice mix of animals and their habitats from the world over as well as all kinds of poetic forms instead of just the usual stuff.
So here is my selection for you:
It's almost a tradition now that I read some poetry collection that has one poem for every day of the year. Sadly, I was very bad this year and didn't read every day, sometimes not for months, but since I really love the design of this, I'll be sure to re-read it in the not too distant future. ;P
Yo seah, fantastic book that I wholeheartedly recommend.
December 28, 2025
A poem a night to read by bed light. For the disciplined who can stick with it nightly (2024 was a failed experiment, but in 2025: success!); or for the undisciplined willing to play catchup every few days (that’s us); wonderful. From the great likes of Dickinson, Frost, and Blake to the whimsies of Nash, Prelutsky, Belloc, and beyond… it’s the animal lovers, no surprise, who find their greatest representation. How do I know it’s good? The bittersweet feeling of finish is the clue. An accomplishment making it to the final page of poems, having paced through the year with 4 kids and wife in tow; and one I’d like freedom from, before thoughts of repeating, if ever. But whether we repeat it or not—kids grow old too fast… teenagers a few years away—we can always flip back through it. Flip back through and remember where our eyes were wandering each night of that one time year of 2025.
September 3, 2020
I love books that might get children interested in poetry. This behemoth captures attention immediately with the tiger peering out from the front cover. I have only read a few of the poems contained within, but most of them have been wonderful. The real stand-out though are the illustrations, which are gorgeous accompaniments and make the book attractive to the reader. The size may daunt many borrowers, this has been published as a reference or coffee table book, I think.
December 25, 2020
A really fantastic collection of animal poems for children of all ages. The illustrations are inviting and encourage you to read the accompanying poem.
April 21, 2022
I'm not a huge poetry fan, but do enjoy reading good poetry every now and then. So, the idea of a poem a day hit me with either a strong yea or nay. This collection won me over so much so that it's going to join a spot on my bookshelf.
The cover already sparks interest with its capturing, tiger's gaze. It does a wonderful job at setting the tone for the many poems to come, and does fit the type of illustrations found through this collection. I'm going to start with the illustrations because these are a treat as much as the poems themselves. The artwork portrays a more natural direction, keeping the animals in a more realistic direction, and yet, the touch of art is still present. While carrying an overall similar style, the illustrations hold variety and hint at texture, making each one enjoyable to discover and revisit. So, this is already a lovely collection on that end.
The book is broken up into twelve months. At the beginning of each month, there's a list of the poems and authors with the corresponding date. Each two-page spread holds one to four poems, and these do hold with the illustrations as well as the dates. Every poem highlights a different animal. They come from a various authors, cover various types of poetry, and represent everything from modern poems to traditional rhymes. So, expect a bit of everything from every direction to make a diverse mix. Some of them are serious, others invoke thought, and many add a touch of humor. A few are longer, which several verses, while others are composed of only a few words. So, expect a bit of everything.
The hardbound book has a wonderful quality to it, which guarantees more than a single year's worth of use. I was afraid it might be a bit much, but the mix makes it really enjoyable to use. I can recommend this one and am adding it to my favorites of the review year list. I received a complimentary copy and this collection is so lovely that I'm adding it to my book shelf.
The cover already sparks interest with its capturing, tiger's gaze. It does a wonderful job at setting the tone for the many poems to come, and does fit the type of illustrations found through this collection. I'm going to start with the illustrations because these are a treat as much as the poems themselves. The artwork portrays a more natural direction, keeping the animals in a more realistic direction, and yet, the touch of art is still present. While carrying an overall similar style, the illustrations hold variety and hint at texture, making each one enjoyable to discover and revisit. So, this is already a lovely collection on that end.
The book is broken up into twelve months. At the beginning of each month, there's a list of the poems and authors with the corresponding date. Each two-page spread holds one to four poems, and these do hold with the illustrations as well as the dates. Every poem highlights a different animal. They come from a various authors, cover various types of poetry, and represent everything from modern poems to traditional rhymes. So, expect a bit of everything from every direction to make a diverse mix. Some of them are serious, others invoke thought, and many add a touch of humor. A few are longer, which several verses, while others are composed of only a few words. So, expect a bit of everything.
The hardbound book has a wonderful quality to it, which guarantees more than a single year's worth of use. I was afraid it might be a bit much, but the mix makes it really enjoyable to use. I can recommend this one and am adding it to my favorites of the review year list. I received a complimentary copy and this collection is so lovely that I'm adding it to my book shelf.
December 24, 2021
I love a poetry book as a gift for kids as much as I love a cookbook for the same reason. This is a book that is chockablock with poems about animals for each month of the year, 366 poems altogether. It's a big hefty book (4.5 pounds), some of the poems are only a few lines long, others are much longer, but there is a wide range of poetry by a wide variety of poets. Some are easily recognizable, some not so much, others will be new to most readers. It actually might make a nice family book, where poems can be shared and talked about at dinner, or read at bedtime. I gifted this to a teacher friend for use in her classroom, who has been using it as a poem-a-day paet of her teaching ever since, but it would also be a nice gift for someone who home schools. The illustrations were created digitally and as you turn the pages, you will understand why Britta Teckentrup has become one of my favorite artists. Her illustrations are lush and simply breathtaking. Poetry and animal lovers will enjoy exploring the offerings in this book for a long time to come.
June 2, 2025
It’s now been a full year that we’ve enjoyed reading this in the morning. Like all poetry collections, there are some hits and misses, but overall we love this book and will continue reading it for years to come! It’s also illustrated by Britta Teckentrup, who is one of my favorite children’s illustrators. Highly recommend!
November 15, 2020
What an utterly sumptuous book, with a poem a day, focusing on a different creature each time. New Zealand is represented too, with Paula Green’s delightful poem The Tui, which begs to be read aloud.
A very wide selection with gorgeous illustrations too. For us in NZ, it’s a pricy hardback - RRP $55! - but worth it and one I think school library staff at all levels should seriously consider. It will be one of my first purchases next year.
A very wide selection with gorgeous illustrations too. For us in NZ, it’s a pricy hardback - RRP $55! - but worth it and one I think school library staff at all levels should seriously consider. It will be one of my first purchases next year.
December 30, 2020
This lavishly illustrated book 366 animal poems which range from unforgettable classics to contemporary works from around the world, including poetry in translation. Teckentrup's breathtaking illustrations bring together all the richness and wonder of the animal kingdom.
Want to read
November 13, 2021This book is gorgeous (and huge and heavy). I am considering purchasing a copy to admire and make my way through at our house.
January 2, 2021
The most beautifully illustrated coffee table book. Going to make the utmost effort to read 1 a day as intended.
January 4, 2021
A poem for every day of the year written a variety of poets. Loads of different styles of poems which would make it a great resource for use in school. Beautifully illustrated as well.
December 19, 2023
Large, heavy book with beautiful illustrations. There is a poem for every day of the year that centers on or includes an animal.
April 17
Wild Black Crows by Margartet Wise Brown
Oh the wild black crows
The wild black crows
Fly far away to where nobody knows,
Where nobody knows and nobody goes,
Nobody knows
But the wild black crows.
April 17
Wild Black Crows by Margartet Wise Brown
Oh the wild black crows
The wild black crows
Fly far away to where nobody knows,
Where nobody knows and nobody goes,
Nobody knows
But the wild black crows.
April 2, 2022
This is a stunning and captivating collected of 365 poems for children -- all about animals! The book is organized January 1 through December 31, with several pages containing more than one poem. Britta Teckentrup is the perfect illustrator for this - she masterfully encompasses the animal world in a way that appeals to kids' imaginations.
I love how BIG this book is! There is so much to discover. You wouldn't even have to strictly read this day by day. There is a nicely organized index in the back for you to look up poems. There is a wide variety of poets featured as well as animals.
This is great for families to have in their home libraries! We keep this book by our dining table and pick it up to read together over meals.
***Note: I was given a review copy of this book via Candlewick Press. Opinions are my own.
I love how BIG this book is! There is so much to discover. You wouldn't even have to strictly read this day by day. There is a nicely organized index in the back for you to look up poems. There is a wide variety of poets featured as well as animals.
This is great for families to have in their home libraries! We keep this book by our dining table and pick it up to read together over meals.
***Note: I was given a review copy of this book via Candlewick Press. Opinions are my own.
January 4, 2022
All year, I've been reading a lot of poetry, and every day a new poem from Sing A Song of Seasons, published by Nosy Crow, an imprint of Candlewick Press, Fiona Waters collected the poems for each season, thus the title. Lovely illustrations by Frann Preston-Gannon walked hand-in-hand with the poems. That last poem, for December 31st, is one I guess most of you know, Beatrice Schenk de Regniers' "Keep A Poem in Your Pocket", thus setting a goal for 2022!
Fiona Waters has created a new one for the coming year, out for the first time in 2021 in the U.S. This time, she's selected 365 poems about animals. I don't recognize all of the names and perhaps that is because it's from Great Britain, but she has chosen some from America's past like Valerie Worth and Emily Dickinson and those still writing like Jack Prelutsky, Elaine Magliaro, and Jane Yolen. From the titles, I see familiar poems, all animal antics from varying points of view. There are indexes of the poets, the poems, and first lines at the back. Britta Teckentrup's illustrations add to the lure of each poem. If you don't know much about an animal, you'll want to know more after reading the words and viewing each lovely page. Along with other anthologies and poets' collections, it feels like 2022 will be a special one for poetry!
Thanks again to Candlewick Press for this copy!
Fiona Waters has created a new one for the coming year, out for the first time in 2021 in the U.S. This time, she's selected 365 poems about animals. I don't recognize all of the names and perhaps that is because it's from Great Britain, but she has chosen some from America's past like Valerie Worth and Emily Dickinson and those still writing like Jack Prelutsky, Elaine Magliaro, and Jane Yolen. From the titles, I see familiar poems, all animal antics from varying points of view. There are indexes of the poets, the poems, and first lines at the back. Britta Teckentrup's illustrations add to the lure of each poem. If you don't know much about an animal, you'll want to know more after reading the words and viewing each lovely page. Along with other anthologies and poets' collections, it feels like 2022 will be a special one for poetry!
Thanks again to Candlewick Press for this copy!
June 20, 2022
I am lucky enough to have been gifted this wonderful book from a school I worked in. I became immediately intrigued, and my attention had been grabbed from this gorgeous tiger peering at you on the front cover. Once I had the opportunity to sit and go through the beautifully illustrated pages, I could see a different animal poem for every day of the year. The poems are so vastly different, exploring all different ranges of poetry and styles and different poets. You can sit and read for hours the different animal poems and every one leaves you wanting to read more. I have this book ready for September to introduce my class of children to a poem a day where we can discuss the features and will hopefully encourage children to write their own poems. Poetry is a topic covered with fear within schools and this book brings poetry to life through colour and amazement.
April 12, 2022
This book contains 366 lovely poems. It's huge! I love that this book gives you the opportunity to read one poem a day for an entire year. Each poem covers a different animal and varies in length and structure. The text is supported by these magnificent digital illustrations with lively colors. I love that you can tell each page was carefully designed and the layout was intentional. I think this would be a fantastic book of poems to show young readers since it is so inviting and will likely keep them engaged. Since the collection of poems is so vast, teachers could choose any one of them for a specific lesson or purpose.
December 19, 2022
What a GORGEOUS book! Poems from all over the world + amazing illustrations. For sure, this book is not just for kids!
August 18th
Even with insects -
some can sing,
some can't.
Kobayashi Issa,
translated by Robert Hass
October 29th
One little bear
Wondering what to do
Along came another
Then there were two!
Two little bears
Climbing up a tree
Along came another
Then there were three!
Three little bears
Ate an apple core
Along came another
Then there were four!
Four little honey bears
Found honey in a hive
Along came another
Then there were five!
Anonymous
August 18th
Even with insects -
some can sing,
some can't.
Kobayashi Issa,
translated by Robert Hass
October 29th
One little bear
Wondering what to do
Along came another
Then there were two!
Two little bears
Climbing up a tree
Along came another
Then there were three!
Three little bears
Ate an apple core
Along came another
Then there were four!
Four little honey bears
Found honey in a hive
Along came another
Then there were five!
Anonymous
October 8, 2025
Date published: 2020
Award: best poetry book award winner, NCTE notable poetry book
Genre: poetry, children’s literature
Summary/like or dislike it: I really like the book Tiger Tiger burning Bright, I think this is the perfect book to share with your class throughout an entire school year because there’s so many different poems that would fit so many different kids taste. This book is simply just an anthology that hasa new poem about an animal for every single day, yes 366 total poems. My favorite poem in the entire book was the title poem Tiger Tiger, burning bright, which I had actually heard several times before reading this book.
Award: best poetry book award winner, NCTE notable poetry book
Genre: poetry, children’s literature
Summary/like or dislike it: I really like the book Tiger Tiger burning Bright, I think this is the perfect book to share with your class throughout an entire school year because there’s so many different poems that would fit so many different kids taste. This book is simply just an anthology that hasa new poem about an animal for every single day, yes 366 total poems. My favorite poem in the entire book was the title poem Tiger Tiger, burning bright, which I had actually heard several times before reading this book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 24, 2021
Beautifully illustrated book, with lots of small poems relating to animals and the natural world. It is a fairly sizeable book, with a range of poetry that can appeal to different ages of children. This can be a very good book to develops children's interest in poetry, with over 360 different poems for them to dig their teeth into and every single page wonderfully covering with detailed drawings.
With such a range of wildlife in the book, it's brilliant for any children interested in the natural world, with the poetry an added bonus.
With such a range of wildlife in the book, it's brilliant for any children interested in the natural world, with the poetry an added bonus.
January 1, 2023
Gorgeous book - Britta Teckentrup is a favorite illustrator in our family. I loved getting my 6 and 8 year old into poetry, although many were still too advanced. (I disagree with the publisher's suggested age range of 3-7 on the back cover - I'd say 5 to 125.) Most of the poems were good - I'd say there were only 1 or 2 per month that were complete duds.
One star off for the binding, which did not hold up to a year of daily use. I think it broke sometime in April.
One star off for the binding, which did not hold up to a year of daily use. I think it broke sometime in April.
April 23, 2023
Fiona Waters has selected animal poems, one for each day of the year, and Britta Teckentrup has created stunning double-spread artwork offering realistic portraits of animals in their natural habitats for this wonderful poetry anthology. The 366 poems are indexed by poet, poem title, and first line. William Blake’s “The Tiger,” which begins with “Tiger! Tiger! Burning bright,” is the poem for January 31. (All ages)
October 28, 2020
This seems to be my year for ‘poem a day’ books. This one for children (but not just for children) ticks all the boxes of what a book should be: big, hefty, beautiful, and brilliantly illustrated by Britta Teckentrup. I was unfamiliar with most of the poems. I would give this book more stars if I could. My pick for Book of the Year.
January 27, 2022
All ages
I can't wait to dive into this gorgeous poetry collection. I need to own this myself. Love that the editor said he thought of his children poring over animal books and wanted that experience with poetry. And to think I could have a poem for every day of the year!
Nosy Crow, imprint of Candlewick
I can't wait to dive into this gorgeous poetry collection. I need to own this myself. Love that the editor said he thought of his children poring over animal books and wanted that experience with poetry. And to think I could have a poem for every day of the year!
Nosy Crow, imprint of Candlewick
December 24, 2022
If you're looking for a beautifully illustrated collection of animal poems, I haven't seen anything that can beat Tiger, Tiger Burning Bright. There's a poem for each day of the year, ranging from haiku to longer pieces. We had a wonderful time including this in our Morning Time in 2022, and it's one we will certainly return to in future years.
December 30, 2020
A simply stunningly beautiful poetry anthology - will become a coffee table book - one to dip into regularly. The collection includes lots of classics and contemporary animal poems - one for every day of the year. The vibrant illustrations provide a visual feast for the eyes too. Another fabulous publication from Nosy Crow and the National Trust UK.
December 31, 2022
Thanks, Aunty Andrea! Scott and I loved this book. We just finished it tonight, on new year’s eve. Our favourite part was guessing which animal would be on the next page. Turns out he’s just as competitive about that as he is about football. And tennis. And FIFA mobile on the switch.
April 30, 2025
A beautiful collection of animal poems for every day of the year. Fiona Waters curates a lovely mix of classic and new voices, perfectly paired with Britta Teckentrup’s gorgeous illustrations. A joyful daily read for poetry and nature lovers alike.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews