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Tight Times
A small boy, not allowed to have a dog because times are tight, finds a starving kitten in a trash can on the same day his father loses his job.
32 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 1983
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December 12, 2015
Daddy said tight times are why we don't have roast beef on Sunday.
Instead we have soupy things with lima beans. I hate lima beans. If I had a dog, I'd make him eat mine.
I'm here to tell you about an amazing book.
This book is about a little boy who really wants a dog. He keeps asking his parents why he can't have a dog. His father tries to explain to him that it's because they are living in 'tight times.' He runs down for the kid what 'tight times' means: they eat bulk, non-brand cereal instead of the ones in the "little boxes" that the boy prefers. Instead of going to the lake in the summer like they used to, the dad turns on the sprinkler for the boy. They eat beans for supper instead of meat. The boy has to stay with a babysitter after school because both of his parents work.
None of these things are things that the boy is happy with - but above all, he just really wants a dog.
One day his father comes home, looking very angry.
Then Daddy fixed us both special drinks.
The dad has what looks like a bourbon on the rocks and the boy has hot chocolate with extra whipped cream.
The dad tries to explain to his son that he's just lost his job.
The boy's mom comes home and sees that Daddy is despairing.
She gave me a candy bar and said she wanted to talk to Daddy.
She said I could go outside and sit on the front steps. But not to go near the street, no matter what.
The boy goes outside but hears something that sounds like crying coming from the trash can outside.
Now we see a two-page spread. On the left page, a beautiful gypsy-type-woman (who looks like Esmeralda from Hunchback of Notre Dame, the Disney version - except this book was published in 1979, way before that movie) is walking down the street towards the boy. On the right page, we see the piles of garbage on the city street and the boy lifting the lid of an overflowing trashcan.
The Esmeralda-looking lady helps the boy get this starving, ragged kitten out of the trash.
I asked the lady if it was her cat. She said no. She said I could keep it if I wanted.
Wow, what a nice lady!
I ran all the way up the stairs.
You should see this little bony thing with all its ribs showing and its sunken eyes.
The boy doesn't mean to disturb his parents, who are in their room with the door shut, but when the milk carton falls to the floor and spills everywhere, his parents hear it and come out of their bedroom. The boy explains to them about the cat that he's found.
I was so afraid that the parents were going to throw the cat out or scold the boy. But
Then something sort of scary happened. Daddy started to cry. So did Mommy.
I didn't know daddies cried. I didn't know what to do.
Then they both made a sandwich hug with me in the middle. So I started to cry.
The emaciated kitten looks on worriedly.
Then the dad says the little boy can keep the kitten. But only if the little boy promises never to mention a dog ever again.
After dinner Daddy asked me what I was going to call my cat. Dog, I said, because I always wanted one, even if I don't any more.
The book ends very sweetly with a picture of the skeptical cat side-eyeing a plate of lima beans.
...
The opening page of this book is garbage. Literally a picture of overflowing garbage cans and piled garbage bags is the title page of this book. That's how you know you're entering something different.
The illustrations are the kind of illustrations that they don't make anymore, but that were very popular in the seventies - a kind of very realistic line drawing. The pictures in this book resemble those in Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day (1972) although the illustrators are different people.
I can't tell you how wonderful I found these simple black-and-white illustrations. Hyman portrays life in such a realistic way. On the first page, the boy's mother is on the bed, in her bra, hunched over sewing a button onto a shirt. Wow. Even just this image being published is rather unbelievable in 2015. It's not sexual at all, or revealing, but so realistic. And the woman looks like a real person - skinny, but with a poochy tummy and a plain body and hair-style. This is so refreshingly normal.
On the next page we see the father shaving his face in the mirror. You can see his underarm hair. Another little realistic touch.
When the man swoops down to scoop up his little boy and carry him on his shoulders, we see the man has hairy forearms and has hair on the back of his hands. WOW. Love. I'm loving all this realistic body portrayal. It's very seldom I see realistic-looking adults in picture books. This is amazing.
We've got other nice, realistic touches, such as the aforementioned bourbon (or whatever alcohol) the dad drinks when he gets laid off, a cigarette dangling from his other hand, his son sitting at the kitchen table trying to comfort his father, the elaborate hot chocolate his father has made him cooling in front of him. The dad's face is very bleak.
The kitten, also, is very haggard and patchy, looking very much like a starving kitten fished out of a garbage can would look. Not instantly attractive or overly cute, but very wanted and loved by the boy. *cuteness*
By the end of the book she's looking a little better.
The mom saying she needs to talk to daddy alone, sending the child outside, and when the child comes in daddy and mommy were in their bedroom with the door shut. BRILLIANT. I mean, nothing is explicit or even implied, but I think this kind of loving, realistic parental relationships and how the parents are shown as supporting and comforting each other is AMAZING. There's one scene near the end of the book where the little boy is playing with the cat on the floor and the parents are standing close to each other in the kitchen, the mom with her arm on the dad's waist and the dad with his hand on the mom's shoulder and they are looking into each other's eyes and talking. The mom is holding a coffee cup in the other hand. It just seemed like a very loving and supportive marriage, I really enjoyed seeing parents like this portrayed in a kid's book.
I also really liked the page where the dad is sitting on the couch reading the newspaper, scouring the Wanted ads, and the boy's head is resting on his thigh. The dad's hand is stroking the boy's hair and the boy has the cat on his lap and is petting her. EXCELLENT.
So, the illustrations and the story are ON-POINT.
...
It's hard to talk to your children about poverty. Not in some abstract sense like, "Oh, that person is homeless." or "We are donating some toys to the poor because some children have less than you do." No, what I mean is when YOU are the poor. People are leaving bags of clothes on YOUR doorstep for your kids to wear. You are waitressing and your husband is working two jobs. You're pregnant with your fourth kid unexpectedly and you all wear sweaters in the house because you can't afford to turn the heat up. Your old, beat-up TV only works about 3 days a week, but you don't have money for a new one.
I'm honestly surprised that there aren't more books that deal with this issue. It's a huge issue nowadays. The economy has taken a huge downturn - and no matter what the politicians tell you, many people are still struggling - unemployed and unable to make ends meet.
How do you make your children understand that you just can't afford the kind of Christmas you had last year? How do you talk to your children about daddy losing his job and having to move the family into grandma's small apartment? It's hard, because children don't really understand things like 'a paycheck' and 'daddy is unemployed.' All they know is that things used to be better, and 'why can't they have a new video game console like David?' It's not only material things, it's 'She can't be in gymnastics this year even though she's been in it for five years now and all her friends are there.'
Two books exist that I would really recommend if you are struggling financially and facing some hard times as a family.
ONE: This book. It's a picture book and it's appropriate for ages 0-6. 7, maybe. It's gentle, loving, but doesn't shy away from telling kids the truth and explaining about how sometimes money is scarce, but a loving family will stick together and pull through, and the little pleasures of life (like hot chocolate with whipped cream and a kitten) will still be there even if you can't have new clothes or a working television set. Realistic yet kind, I highly recommend this.
TWO: Crenshaw
by Katherine Applegate. This middle-grade book can be read by children aged 7 or 8-10 or maybe even a young 11. By the author of The One and Only Ivan, Applegate tells the story of a boy whose parents - although working their asses off at multiple working class jobs, are struggling financially. The boy remembers when they lost their apartment and had to live in their mini-van, sleeping in parks and campgrounds and occasionally getting rousted by the police. This book also revolves around the boy's imaginary friend - a gigantic cat named Crenshaw - who seems to appear to the boy whenever his family is struggling the most financially. This book is excellent and brilliantly shows the worries and fears children have when they have been familiar on-and-off with poverty. 'Living in the van again' is a huge concern that constantly looms in the boy's mind. I won't fully review this here in this space, I'll write a separate review, but I just wanted to mention that it is an excellent book and a great one to get from the library for your (8-11) kid if you are in a rough spot and things are shaky.
I highly encourage authors to be brave and write more books for children that deal with this topic. It's SO RELEVANT right now, and I think it is a great resource for kids to have some books to read and relate to when they have to deal with: stuff like wearing sister's hand-me-downs that don't fit quite right, not being able to go on vacation this year, and having parents who are more absent from their lives than they were previously due to each of them working multiple jobs. NOTHING IS WRONG WITH THIS.
I can say with authority that a family can be strong, loving, and very bonded despite - in fact, even BECAUSE of - tight times. Taking care of each other, giving each other little joys such as piggy-back rides and hot chocolate, reading books together or just walking to the park together - families who are poor sometimes bond in a way that never goes away even when times get better and everyone is grown. Siblings who have to take care of each other because daddy is dead and mommy is working two jobs develop relationships of titanium that will never dissolve.
I can't tell you how much I appreciate this book simply for existing. It's so difficult to find resources that help children understand that life is different now, and perhaps it will get better again, but in the meantime they are still loved and cherished. Hazen's sweet story and Hyman's stark illustrations just make it that much better. I can't recommend this highly enough. A+.
Instead we have soupy things with lima beans. I hate lima beans. If I had a dog, I'd make him eat mine.
I'm here to tell you about an amazing book.
This book is about a little boy who really wants a dog. He keeps asking his parents why he can't have a dog. His father tries to explain to him that it's because they are living in 'tight times.' He runs down for the kid what 'tight times' means: they eat bulk, non-brand cereal instead of the ones in the "little boxes" that the boy prefers. Instead of going to the lake in the summer like they used to, the dad turns on the sprinkler for the boy. They eat beans for supper instead of meat. The boy has to stay with a babysitter after school because both of his parents work.
None of these things are things that the boy is happy with - but above all, he just really wants a dog.
One day his father comes home, looking very angry.
Then Daddy fixed us both special drinks.
The dad has what looks like a bourbon on the rocks and the boy has hot chocolate with extra whipped cream.
The dad tries to explain to his son that he's just lost his job.
The boy's mom comes home and sees that Daddy is despairing.
She gave me a candy bar and said she wanted to talk to Daddy.
She said I could go outside and sit on the front steps. But not to go near the street, no matter what.
The boy goes outside but hears something that sounds like crying coming from the trash can outside.
Now we see a two-page spread. On the left page, a beautiful gypsy-type-woman (who looks like Esmeralda from Hunchback of Notre Dame, the Disney version - except this book was published in 1979, way before that movie) is walking down the street towards the boy. On the right page, we see the piles of garbage on the city street and the boy lifting the lid of an overflowing trashcan.
The Esmeralda-looking lady helps the boy get this starving, ragged kitten out of the trash.
I asked the lady if it was her cat. She said no. She said I could keep it if I wanted.
Wow, what a nice lady!
I ran all the way up the stairs.
You should see this little bony thing with all its ribs showing and its sunken eyes.
The boy doesn't mean to disturb his parents, who are in their room with the door shut, but when the milk carton falls to the floor and spills everywhere, his parents hear it and come out of their bedroom. The boy explains to them about the cat that he's found.
I was so afraid that the parents were going to throw the cat out or scold the boy. But
Then something sort of scary happened. Daddy started to cry. So did Mommy.
I didn't know daddies cried. I didn't know what to do.
Then they both made a sandwich hug with me in the middle. So I started to cry.
The emaciated kitten looks on worriedly.
Then the dad says the little boy can keep the kitten. But only if the little boy promises never to mention a dog ever again.
After dinner Daddy asked me what I was going to call my cat. Dog, I said, because I always wanted one, even if I don't any more.
The book ends very sweetly with a picture of the skeptical cat side-eyeing a plate of lima beans.
...
The opening page of this book is garbage. Literally a picture of overflowing garbage cans and piled garbage bags is the title page of this book. That's how you know you're entering something different.
The illustrations are the kind of illustrations that they don't make anymore, but that were very popular in the seventies - a kind of very realistic line drawing. The pictures in this book resemble those in Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day (1972) although the illustrators are different people.
I can't tell you how wonderful I found these simple black-and-white illustrations. Hyman portrays life in such a realistic way. On the first page, the boy's mother is on the bed, in her bra, hunched over sewing a button onto a shirt. Wow. Even just this image being published is rather unbelievable in 2015. It's not sexual at all, or revealing, but so realistic. And the woman looks like a real person - skinny, but with a poochy tummy and a plain body and hair-style. This is so refreshingly normal.
On the next page we see the father shaving his face in the mirror. You can see his underarm hair. Another little realistic touch.
When the man swoops down to scoop up his little boy and carry him on his shoulders, we see the man has hairy forearms and has hair on the back of his hands. WOW. Love. I'm loving all this realistic body portrayal. It's very seldom I see realistic-looking adults in picture books. This is amazing.
We've got other nice, realistic touches, such as the aforementioned bourbon (or whatever alcohol) the dad drinks when he gets laid off, a cigarette dangling from his other hand, his son sitting at the kitchen table trying to comfort his father, the elaborate hot chocolate his father has made him cooling in front of him. The dad's face is very bleak.
The kitten, also, is very haggard and patchy, looking very much like a starving kitten fished out of a garbage can would look. Not instantly attractive or overly cute, but very wanted and loved by the boy. *cuteness*
By the end of the book she's looking a little better.
The mom saying she needs to talk to daddy alone, sending the child outside, and when the child comes in daddy and mommy were in their bedroom with the door shut. BRILLIANT. I mean, nothing is explicit or even implied, but I think this kind of loving, realistic parental relationships and how the parents are shown as supporting and comforting each other is AMAZING. There's one scene near the end of the book where the little boy is playing with the cat on the floor and the parents are standing close to each other in the kitchen, the mom with her arm on the dad's waist and the dad with his hand on the mom's shoulder and they are looking into each other's eyes and talking. The mom is holding a coffee cup in the other hand. It just seemed like a very loving and supportive marriage, I really enjoyed seeing parents like this portrayed in a kid's book.
I also really liked the page where the dad is sitting on the couch reading the newspaper, scouring the Wanted ads, and the boy's head is resting on his thigh. The dad's hand is stroking the boy's hair and the boy has the cat on his lap and is petting her. EXCELLENT.
So, the illustrations and the story are ON-POINT.
...
It's hard to talk to your children about poverty. Not in some abstract sense like, "Oh, that person is homeless." or "We are donating some toys to the poor because some children have less than you do." No, what I mean is when YOU are the poor. People are leaving bags of clothes on YOUR doorstep for your kids to wear. You are waitressing and your husband is working two jobs. You're pregnant with your fourth kid unexpectedly and you all wear sweaters in the house because you can't afford to turn the heat up. Your old, beat-up TV only works about 3 days a week, but you don't have money for a new one.
I'm honestly surprised that there aren't more books that deal with this issue. It's a huge issue nowadays. The economy has taken a huge downturn - and no matter what the politicians tell you, many people are still struggling - unemployed and unable to make ends meet.
How do you make your children understand that you just can't afford the kind of Christmas you had last year? How do you talk to your children about daddy losing his job and having to move the family into grandma's small apartment? It's hard, because children don't really understand things like 'a paycheck' and 'daddy is unemployed.' All they know is that things used to be better, and 'why can't they have a new video game console like David?' It's not only material things, it's 'She can't be in gymnastics this year even though she's been in it for five years now and all her friends are there.'
Two books exist that I would really recommend if you are struggling financially and facing some hard times as a family.
ONE: This book. It's a picture book and it's appropriate for ages 0-6. 7, maybe. It's gentle, loving, but doesn't shy away from telling kids the truth and explaining about how sometimes money is scarce, but a loving family will stick together and pull through, and the little pleasures of life (like hot chocolate with whipped cream and a kitten) will still be there even if you can't have new clothes or a working television set. Realistic yet kind, I highly recommend this.
TWO: Crenshaw
by Katherine Applegate. This middle-grade book can be read by children aged 7 or 8-10 or maybe even a young 11. By the author of The One and Only Ivan, Applegate tells the story of a boy whose parents - although working their asses off at multiple working class jobs, are struggling financially. The boy remembers when they lost their apartment and had to live in their mini-van, sleeping in parks and campgrounds and occasionally getting rousted by the police. This book also revolves around the boy's imaginary friend - a gigantic cat named Crenshaw - who seems to appear to the boy whenever his family is struggling the most financially. This book is excellent and brilliantly shows the worries and fears children have when they have been familiar on-and-off with poverty. 'Living in the van again' is a huge concern that constantly looms in the boy's mind. I won't fully review this here in this space, I'll write a separate review, but I just wanted to mention that it is an excellent book and a great one to get from the library for your (8-11) kid if you are in a rough spot and things are shaky.I highly encourage authors to be brave and write more books for children that deal with this topic. It's SO RELEVANT right now, and I think it is a great resource for kids to have some books to read and relate to when they have to deal with: stuff like wearing sister's hand-me-downs that don't fit quite right, not being able to go on vacation this year, and having parents who are more absent from their lives than they were previously due to each of them working multiple jobs. NOTHING IS WRONG WITH THIS.
I can say with authority that a family can be strong, loving, and very bonded despite - in fact, even BECAUSE of - tight times. Taking care of each other, giving each other little joys such as piggy-back rides and hot chocolate, reading books together or just walking to the park together - families who are poor sometimes bond in a way that never goes away even when times get better and everyone is grown. Siblings who have to take care of each other because daddy is dead and mommy is working two jobs develop relationships of titanium that will never dissolve.
I can't tell you how much I appreciate this book simply for existing. It's so difficult to find resources that help children understand that life is different now, and perhaps it will get better again, but in the meantime they are still loved and cherished. Hazen's sweet story and Hyman's stark illustrations just make it that much better. I can't recommend this highly enough. A+.
October 17, 2019
A short picture book about a little boy whose family is struggling. He wants a dog but is told they just can't afford one. When dad loses his job things are look even worse but the good thing is this family has each other and they all love each other and help each other through. When a cat turns up that needs a home the little boy gets his pet although not quite the one he wanted.
This book has some lovely illustrations and could be reassuring for a child whose parents are in a similar position, good to see they are not alone and many people go through hard times. More important than being able to buy whatever you want is having a loving mum and dad which is what this little boy looks like he has.
Read on openlibrary
This book has some lovely illustrations and could be reassuring for a child whose parents are in a similar position, good to see they are not alone and many people go through hard times. More important than being able to buy whatever you want is having a loving mum and dad which is what this little boy looks like he has.
Read on openlibrary
October 20, 2019
I loved the illustrations here. They’re wonderful.
I’m puzzled by the story. In a way this might resonate with the “I want a dog” kids and there are other books that have the same theme.
But I didn’t like this story.
This kid is old enough to ask so is old enough to hear a more detailed truth that would better answer his questions.
The main thing that bothered me is if this family is too poor to have a dog then how can they take good care of a cat?! The cat won’t need leashes for walks or maybe as much food as a bigger dog would need. But vet care tends to be the most expensive part of having a companion animal, no matter what species. And finding the cat was particularly bad timing as far as the story’s events go. Nice to adopt a homeless pet, yes, but not very responsible in this case.
This book didn’t work for me despite loving the illustrations and being able to have empathy for the boy and for his parents.
I’m puzzled by the story. In a way this might resonate with the “I want a dog” kids and there are other books that have the same theme.
But I didn’t like this story.
This kid is old enough to ask so is old enough to hear a more detailed truth that would better answer his questions.
The main thing that bothered me is if this family is too poor to have a dog then how can they take good care of a cat?! The cat won’t need leashes for walks or maybe as much food as a bigger dog would need. But vet care tends to be the most expensive part of having a companion animal, no matter what species. And finding the cat was particularly bad timing as far as the story’s events go. Nice to adopt a homeless pet, yes, but not very responsible in this case.
This book didn’t work for me despite loving the illustrations and being able to have empathy for the boy and for his parents.
December 17, 2015
Touching, realistic, well-illustrated book about a small boy's struggle to understand the "tight times" his parents tell him they are going through.
March 26, 2024
I do certainly understand that as a book prominently featured on Reading Rainbow (and in the very first episode at that), for those who grew up with and became interested in books with Reading Rainbow, there could probably be many fond childhood memories associated with Barbara Shook Hazen’s 1979 picture book Tight Times. However, since I never personally experienced Reading Rainbow, because well, when the shows started in 1983 I was as a teenaged, sixteen going on seventeen year old reader naturally long long past picture books (and that I in fact only very recently even became aware of the Reading Rainbow series through the Children’s Literature group on Goodreads), I do therefore come to Tight Times (which I am reading on Open Library) with no textual expectations whatsoever and no sense of nostalgia either (except that I have noticed how some of my most trusted Goodreads friends actually seem to appreciate Trina Schart Hyman’s artwork for Tight Times considerably more than Barbara Shook Hazen’s narrative and that this does definitely cause me a bit of concern).
And sadly, after now having read Tight Times, yes indeed, I also tend to find Schart Hyman’s pictures much more appealing and enjoyable than what is textually being presented (or rather I should say that there are parts of Shook Hazen’s featured story for Tight Times that both my adult reading self and equally so my inner child find a trifle uncomfortable and also as such somewhat problematic). For albeit how Trina Schart Hyman has visually depicted and mirrored the storyline of Tight Times is aesthetically marvellous and also nicely realistic (illustratively showing what Barbara Shook Hazen is verbally depicting, how the young boy’s family is finding it hard to make ends meet, is going through and struggling with the tight times of the book title), I do have to admit that how in Tight Times the young boy gets his kitten kind of rubs me the wrong proverbial way.
Because even though I do find it good and even quite laudable that in Tight Times Shook Hazen has the young boy’s parents telling him that getting a dog when money is tight is out of the question at present (since pet care is expensive and getting a dog would thus not be financially feasible, would be irresponsible and could also engender neglect if there were not enough money to adequately provide food for a pet dog, to obtain veterinary care etc.), why is the boy then allowed to keep the stray kitten he finds and brings home? Sure, cats do not generally requite as much attention as dogs do, but they also need to be fed, to have medical check-ups and the author kind of insinuating in Tight Times that a kitten would automatically not be as much of a responsibility and possible financial burden and not require the same amount of care as a dog would is in my opinion rather massively blinkered and also needing a bit of criticism (and especially so since Tight Times ends with a picture of Dog the cat being fed lima beans and Barbara Shook Hazen having the young boy and first person narrator also say that lima beans might well be a big part of his new pet cat’s food choices and which is actually not at all a good feline diet as legumes can cause digestive issues for cats and that cats unlike dogs and as obligatory carnivores do in fact regularly have to eat meat in order to stay healthy). And while I am certainly happy that Tight Times does not conclude with the kitten being abandoned again, for me, Tight Times should really be ending with the boy and his parents finding a new forever and loving home for Dog with a family able to afford having and taking care of pets and them remaining without either a dog or a cat until their tight financial times are over, have been remedied and mitigated.
Five stars for Tricia Schart Hyman’s gorgeously evocative illustrations in Tight Times, but unfortunately, the part of Barbara Shook Hazen’s text which has the young boy being permitted to keep the stray kitten, this does rather majorly annoy and frustrate me enough that my final and average star rating for Tight Times can and will have to be only three stars (and that said three stars is also in my opinion a rather generous rating on my part).
And sadly, after now having read Tight Times, yes indeed, I also tend to find Schart Hyman’s pictures much more appealing and enjoyable than what is textually being presented (or rather I should say that there are parts of Shook Hazen’s featured story for Tight Times that both my adult reading self and equally so my inner child find a trifle uncomfortable and also as such somewhat problematic). For albeit how Trina Schart Hyman has visually depicted and mirrored the storyline of Tight Times is aesthetically marvellous and also nicely realistic (illustratively showing what Barbara Shook Hazen is verbally depicting, how the young boy’s family is finding it hard to make ends meet, is going through and struggling with the tight times of the book title), I do have to admit that how in Tight Times the young boy gets his kitten kind of rubs me the wrong proverbial way.
Because even though I do find it good and even quite laudable that in Tight Times Shook Hazen has the young boy’s parents telling him that getting a dog when money is tight is out of the question at present (since pet care is expensive and getting a dog would thus not be financially feasible, would be irresponsible and could also engender neglect if there were not enough money to adequately provide food for a pet dog, to obtain veterinary care etc.), why is the boy then allowed to keep the stray kitten he finds and brings home? Sure, cats do not generally requite as much attention as dogs do, but they also need to be fed, to have medical check-ups and the author kind of insinuating in Tight Times that a kitten would automatically not be as much of a responsibility and possible financial burden and not require the same amount of care as a dog would is in my opinion rather massively blinkered and also needing a bit of criticism (and especially so since Tight Times ends with a picture of Dog the cat being fed lima beans and Barbara Shook Hazen having the young boy and first person narrator also say that lima beans might well be a big part of his new pet cat’s food choices and which is actually not at all a good feline diet as legumes can cause digestive issues for cats and that cats unlike dogs and as obligatory carnivores do in fact regularly have to eat meat in order to stay healthy). And while I am certainly happy that Tight Times does not conclude with the kitten being abandoned again, for me, Tight Times should really be ending with the boy and his parents finding a new forever and loving home for Dog with a family able to afford having and taking care of pets and them remaining without either a dog or a cat until their tight financial times are over, have been remedied and mitigated.
Five stars for Tricia Schart Hyman’s gorgeously evocative illustrations in Tight Times, but unfortunately, the part of Barbara Shook Hazen’s text which has the young boy being permitted to keep the stray kitten, this does rather majorly annoy and frustrate me enough that my final and average star rating for Tight Times can and will have to be only three stars (and that said three stars is also in my opinion a rather generous rating on my part).
August 13, 2011
2.5 stars: Tight Times is a very interesting as a period piece. It features a family that is struggling with financial difficulties and job loss. (No doubt the subject matter could be updated for a new millennium edition.)
I enjoyed the intricately detailed artwork--as well as the in-jokes for adults that would never make it into picture books today. Mom keeps a copy of The Joy of Sex on her bedroom bookshelf, and a poster for a NOW benefit concert decorates the kitchen. When Dad is fired from his job, he fixes himself a "special drink" in a highball glass.
Tight Times unfortunately contains a stereotypical depiction of an African-American babysitter (she is depicted as crabby and lazy) that modern audiences no doubt won't appreciate. Other reviewers hit on this as well, right away.
A major theme of this book is the little boy's wish for a pet dog. His parents stand firm that they are unable to afford a dog. (This is a good move; pet care is quite costly and 'owner can't afford' is a major reason pets end up at shelters.) However, toward the end of the book the boy finds a skinny stray kitten and adopts him, naming him "Dog." While there is good values modeling here for helping a homeless animal, the fact that the parents have no similar concerns about the cost of cat care does not bode well for "Dog." While cats don't have to be walked, they need the same amount of (costly!) care as a small dog does. The average estimated cost of raising a cat for his entire 14-year lifespan comes to $7,713.00!
So, in this aspect of the story, we have some really outdated, problematic views of cats as "maintenance-free" pets that don't need much care, which is quite far from reality.
I enjoyed the intricately detailed artwork--as well as the in-jokes for adults that would never make it into picture books today. Mom keeps a copy of The Joy of Sex on her bedroom bookshelf, and a poster for a NOW benefit concert decorates the kitchen. When Dad is fired from his job, he fixes himself a "special drink" in a highball glass.
Tight Times unfortunately contains a stereotypical depiction of an African-American babysitter (she is depicted as crabby and lazy) that modern audiences no doubt won't appreciate. Other reviewers hit on this as well, right away.
A major theme of this book is the little boy's wish for a pet dog. His parents stand firm that they are unable to afford a dog. (This is a good move; pet care is quite costly and 'owner can't afford' is a major reason pets end up at shelters.) However, toward the end of the book the boy finds a skinny stray kitten and adopts him, naming him "Dog." While there is good values modeling here for helping a homeless animal, the fact that the parents have no similar concerns about the cost of cat care does not bode well for "Dog." While cats don't have to be walked, they need the same amount of (costly!) care as a small dog does. The average estimated cost of raising a cat for his entire 14-year lifespan comes to $7,713.00!
So, in this aspect of the story, we have some really outdated, problematic views of cats as "maintenance-free" pets that don't need much care, which is quite far from reality.
March 16, 2017
I loved this book because it showed how a child sees his parents struggling with their own problems, but the child is aware of what is going on. This book focused on real life situations that most parents go through and it gets harder when a child is around because they don't want to involve the child in their feelings. I like how each page focused on a emotion and the color of the book makes it seem like it will be a sad book, but you'll get to enjoy it too. Also, this book showed how the dad cries and it is something that should be okay especially for men to cry because they are viewed as strong and non emotional.
I think some children will be able to connect to this book because some parents can be dealing with difficult times and a child can notice it. Before reading the book, I would want to ask the children, how many times they have heard their parents say "Not today" or "We can't afford it at the moment?" This will prepare them for what the book is about. Once the book is finished, I hope they understand why parents say those things to them it is something hard to explain to them especially at a young age.
I think some children will be able to connect to this book because some parents can be dealing with difficult times and a child can notice it. Before reading the book, I would want to ask the children, how many times they have heard their parents say "Not today" or "We can't afford it at the moment?" This will prepare them for what the book is about. Once the book is finished, I hope they understand why parents say those things to them it is something hard to explain to them especially at a young age.
July 9, 2017
This book is another example for children to see the life of a boy who's family struggles with poverty. Just like the students, he wants something that his parents can not get him at the time, a dog. His story teaches students how hard it can be living in a time of "tight times" and how even the small things in life can go a long way. This book would be appropriate for younger grade level, such as K-2.
January 15, 2020
In this story, there is a young girl who really wants a dog. Each time she asks her parents explained that it is because of the tough times that she can not get a dog. She tries to convince them by saying, “I’m not too little!” Throughout the story, the little girl discovers what having tight times truly means. In the end, you find what matters and that you can always find a ways to be happy.
We are usually told as teachers to read a book before reading it aloud with our students. I took a risk and read this with a few students for the first time. We had great discussions about what “tight times” looks like and feels like. This story is a great discussion starter. Students were leaving my classroom, saying, “I want to keep talking about it.”
We are usually told as teachers to read a book before reading it aloud with our students. I took a risk and read this with a few students for the first time. We had great discussions about what “tight times” looks like and feels like. This story is a great discussion starter. Students were leaving my classroom, saying, “I want to keep talking about it.”
December 24, 2024
Lovely Book
February 24, 2009
This is the story about a family that is experiencing financial difficulties. The copyright date is 1979. Although I thought that the book was well illustrated, I noted that Mrs. McIntosh, the single African-American female in the text is depicted as an overweight nanny who "isn't good at games and never wants to watch what I want on TV." The text follows up with Mrs. McIntosh lazily watching TV while the boy, who remains unnamed in the text, makes a huge mess in the next room. The text made me question about how African-Americans were displayed in children's literature during this time period.
On the other hand, the illustrations in the text were amazing. The drawings are illustrated by Trina Schart Hyman and presented quite crisply in black and white sketch form. The images really tell the story. The boy asks his parents for a dog on several occasions, only to be told that unfortunately, the "tight times" would not allow it.
The story ends with the boy finding a cat in the garbage and naming it dog. I thought this was a great story to generate discussions around culture and poverty.
On the other hand, the illustrations in the text were amazing. The drawings are illustrated by Trina Schart Hyman and presented quite crisply in black and white sketch form. The images really tell the story. The boy asks his parents for a dog on several occasions, only to be told that unfortunately, the "tight times" would not allow it.
The story ends with the boy finding a cat in the garbage and naming it dog. I thought this was a great story to generate discussions around culture and poverty.
April 27, 2012
A lovely story which might just be perfect for many families/children in this troubled economy. The boy in the story wants very much to get a dog, but times are tight say his folks. One day Daddy comes home and the boy is sent to the stoop while his parents discuss something important that Daddy lost (his job). While he waits, a hungry kitten is discovered and when the boy spills the milk while trying to feed the poor thing emotions run high, but a family hug brings everyone together in the puddle on the kitchen floor. The illustrations are lovely and fit the story's sparseness beautifully. A must read in my opinion.
March 28, 2024
Every child whose family is going through tough financial times will relate to the child in this story.
November 14, 2021
The narrator of this story is a young boy whose family is experiencing "tight times." He desperatly wants a dog but is told over and over no, due to tight times. I appreciate the child's view point of what this phrase means. To him it is very literal. It means needing to by bulk cereal even though he likes the other kind better, playing in the sprinkler instead of going to the lake and Sunday dinners of Lima beans instead of steak.
The illustrations are in black and white and often when the parents are in the pictures they have slumped shoulders and stress is palpable. You can also see the stress on all members of the family when the father loses his job and the mother and father are in tears. There is a touching scene of the family group hug in which the boy starts crying too but isn't sure why. Again I appreciated the child's point of view. The tight times have been his reality for sometime so he doesn't necessarily know the difference not being in poverty.
He does finally get his wish when he hears crying from a trash can and a kind stranger helps him figure out the source. It is a cat that he names Dog. This last scene invokes hope and that family is of most importance in" tight times."
The illustrations are in black and white and often when the parents are in the pictures they have slumped shoulders and stress is palpable. You can also see the stress on all members of the family when the father loses his job and the mother and father are in tears. There is a touching scene of the family group hug in which the boy starts crying too but isn't sure why. Again I appreciated the child's point of view. The tight times have been his reality for sometime so he doesn't necessarily know the difference not being in poverty.
He does finally get his wish when he hears crying from a trash can and a kind stranger helps him figure out the source. It is a cat that he names Dog. This last scene invokes hope and that family is of most importance in" tight times."
October 10, 2018
Summary:
This story is about a boy who has always wanted a dog. He goes to his father to ask for one and his father tells him that they cannot afford to buy a dog. He also talks about how they have to sacrifice what they eat and where they vacation because they are tight times with money. One day his father comes home in the middle of the day because he had been fired and the dad asks the boy to go outside while they talk. The boy finds a stray cat outside and the boy decides to keep it. The family sees this as hope for the future.
Teaching Point:
I think that if you were to use this book, you would be able to teach the students about poverty and how not everyone lives the same way as each other. This is a good way to teach people about how they should act and be kind to one another.
Evaluation:
I really liked this book. I think that it did a great job portraying poverty in a child's life and I think that it would do a good job teaching kids about hope. I really enjoyed how they talked about the sacrifices that they make with their cereal and their vacations and I think every child can relate to this topic.
This story is about a boy who has always wanted a dog. He goes to his father to ask for one and his father tells him that they cannot afford to buy a dog. He also talks about how they have to sacrifice what they eat and where they vacation because they are tight times with money. One day his father comes home in the middle of the day because he had been fired and the dad asks the boy to go outside while they talk. The boy finds a stray cat outside and the boy decides to keep it. The family sees this as hope for the future.
Teaching Point:
I think that if you were to use this book, you would be able to teach the students about poverty and how not everyone lives the same way as each other. This is a good way to teach people about how they should act and be kind to one another.
Evaluation:
I really liked this book. I think that it did a great job portraying poverty in a child's life and I think that it would do a good job teaching kids about hope. I really enjoyed how they talked about the sacrifices that they make with their cereal and their vacations and I think every child can relate to this topic.
December 4, 2019
This is a touching, realistic view of a family that has fallen on hard times. You get a sense that money is tight, the family is already struggling, then Dad loses his job. The boy has been asking for a dog but his parents always say they can't afford a dog. When he finds a cat, on the day that Dad loses his job, the parents relent and let him keep the cat. I think the cat symbolizes hope; that even in the darkest times, we all need some cheering up. It may not be realistic to adopt the stray cat but I get the feeling that the parents want to do something for their child and maybe the cat will be the thing to get him through his own tough times. On the plus side, the author doesn't sugarcoat or romanitcize the situation. On the negative side, the story is a bit dated. We see the dad with a "special drink" which is alcoholic; both parents smoke; and the babysitter, who is Black, is not depicted very kindly.
Read
August 2, 2020This book is incredibly sweet. It is a tale of a family going through hard times economically and how the young boy does not understand why his family can't afford all of the name brand things that other people have. The boy really wants a dog but his family can't afford it, but then he finds a stray cat and gets him instead. He falls in love with the cat and they become best friends. This teaches a lesson of not only acknowledging and understanding hard times, but also a tale that sometimes what we want isn't always what we need. I think that this book would be good as a writing prompt, regarding something we want but can't have, and another writing prompt for some older grades would be a time when you or your family went through a hard time. I think that this book would perfect for grades 1-4 because of the heavier topics and the more difficult vocabulary.
February 21, 2023
This book is from the '80s, but I felt like I was reading about The Great Depression. Tight times indeed. It also reminded me of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory in the sense that Charlie used to eat cabbage soup a lot and in this story, the boy is eating lots of beans. The illustrations are wonderful and I love them. The fact this boy rescued this kitten is PRECIOUS. I also love the fact the parents let him keep it. However, that's another mouth to feed and more expenses. Nonetheless, I enjoyed this sad, but happy ending story of a family struggling financially and how a little boy got a kitten.
October 18, 2019
This was a good read. While the book is a bit dated, I was able to read this to my 3rd graders, and have some really nice connections and inferencing occur in our reading instruction. I used this book to help develop a better sense of making an inference when reading. How does the character feel in the end? "Happy! Because we can see he is smiling, and he is playing with his cat, Dog." This book is also a good read for anyone who wants to teach children about the importance of being thankful. Very cute :)
March 2, 2024
Back in the day we took in stray cats. Everyone did. We tried to dig up the money to get them fixed, but if we couldn't we kept them inside as much as possible. We fed them bargain food and water and scraps. And that was it. And that is what this struggling, but loving, family did. It may not seem responsible now, but it's better than throwing it back in the trash can where it was found. And yes, this family will recover, and this little child will develop resilience, patience, and compassion.
And of course the art is amazing. Hyman, gosh, I just can't get enough of her work.
And of course the art is amazing. Hyman, gosh, I just can't get enough of her work.
July 5, 2023
This was a very cute and short book about a kid who wants a dog, but their parents tell them no. It's because the family has fallen on tight times. They live in a crowded apartment, the kid is taken care of by a neglectful sitter and mom and dad are both working, that is until dad loses his job. What will they do? The kid thinks they'll never get a dog, until they find something outside while playing that changes everything. My rating - 4/5
July 25, 2023
Loved it when my young daughter and I listened to Levar Burton read it on Reading Rainbow. Loved it even more when we stopped in for a treat to the neighborhood fast food place and a lone, friendly woman struck up a conversation, paying extra special attention to my daughter. When she said she was a children's author I just had a feeling...and I've never forgotten her name since. Still have the book, too.
July 7, 2018
A reading rainbow book?
Out of date and not at all recommend
The premise is good
But drinking and smoking in front of your kid because your losing grasp of reality is not
The child accepts too much responsibility
It’s grim
While it is a fact,... someone needs to update this story and bring it up to date and make it appropriate for young children
Out of date and not at all recommend
The premise is good
But drinking and smoking in front of your kid because your losing grasp of reality is not
The child accepts too much responsibility
It’s grim
While it is a fact,... someone needs to update this story and bring it up to date and make it appropriate for young children
October 6, 2021
This is a book about a family in poverty and the dad just lost his job. All the boy wants is a puppy and he hates the lima beans he gets everyday for food so he would just feed his dog the lima beans. The little boy finds a stray cat and is so so excited and gets to keep it. I love that although the family is going through such a hard time, they keep and have so much love within the family.
January 15, 2025
My granddaughter is 6 months old and I love to read so I am hoping that when she grows up she will too. I read to her about a half hour almost every single day. She sits quietly on my lap and listens to the story and looks at the pictures. She seems to enjoy it.
We read this book and she listened and help me turn the pages. She is learning to be careful with books so you don't tear pages.
We read this book and she listened and help me turn the pages. She is learning to be careful with books so you don't tear pages.
December 7, 2017
Tight time is about a little boy that finds a starving cat in a trash can and decides to take it in little did he know his dad just lost his job so he has to figure out how to take care of this cat with not a lot of means.
July 8, 2020
I think that the book will resonate with children who are experiencing this type of situations. I enjoyed the window/ mirror style of writing from this author. The way it talks about the struggles many are facing today.
November 25, 2021
I was expecting a book about hard financial times and the meals associated with such a position. However, it was really more about pets. That said, I’m sure from the viewpoint of a child, this is right on.
February 26, 2017
Very great look at poverty.
January 20, 2019
História fofa. Ilustrações belíssimas!
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