Reviews for Tiger Can't Sleep


Booklist Reviews 2005 December #2
PreS-Gr. 1. This upbeat entry in the something's-in-my-closet subgenre of bedtime picture books pairs a little boy who actually wants to sleep with a hyperactive, scared-of-the-dark tiger who keeps the child awake with his noisy shenanigans. Crunching potato chips, turning cartwheels, clicking the light on and off--everything seems like a good idea to the tiger in the closet, and each new activity offers a satisfying sound-word for young children to enjoy. The simply written story is amplified by Alley's energetic ink drawings, washed with cheerful colors. In both words and pictures, the boy's demeanor will go a long way toward reassuring preschoolers with baseless night fright that they can handle whatever oddities their closets may hold. Fun for reading aloud, by daylight or night-light. ((Reviewed December 15, 2005)) Copyright 2005 Booklist Reviews.

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Horn Book Guide Reviews 2006 Fall
A tired boy can't sleep because of the tiger in his closet. Tiger crunches potato chips, bounces a ball, and plays the tuba, and when the exasperated boy removes the noisemakers, Tiger clicks the closet light on and off. All is well when the lonely tiger climbs into the boy's bed--and then the snoring starts. Energetically drawn art accompanies this silly tale. Copyright 2006 Horn Book Guide Reviews.

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Kirkus Reviews 2006 January #1
A sleepless little boy learns that when Tiger can't sleep, no one else will, either. The tiger in the closet isn't scary or mean, just frustratingly noisy. In his attempts to amuse himself he drives the little boy crazy. His antics run the gamut from a snack of potato chips and some b-ball, to cartwheels, tap dancing and the simultaneous playing of multiple musical instruments. Each new noise brings the boy to the closet to beg Tiger to be quiet; after apologizing, for a time he is. But Tiger can even find ways of being noisy in an empty closet. One final outburst illuminates the true problem: Tiger is afraid. Just as the silence settles around the two, now snuggled together in bed, a new noise starts to emanate from under the covers. Oh well, at least one of them is finally asleep. Alley's facial expressions are spot-on, perfectly capturing the frustration of the boy and the innocent mischievousness of Tiger. Both Fore and Alley have masterfully created an atmosphere completely absent of the normal childhood fear of "something" in the closet. Indeed, readers may actually find themselves wishing for a tiger of their own. (Picture book. 3-7) Copyright Kirkus 2006 Kirkus/BPI Communications. All rights reserved.

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Publishers Weekly Reviews 2006 January #1

Many a parent will recognize the bedtime procrastinating of the amiable, anthropomorphized stuffed tiger in Fore's debut picture book. From potato chip-crunching and cartwheel-turning to one-tiger band music-making, the oversize toy--who is supposed to be sleeping in a boy's closet--employs several amusing stall tactics. Young readers, who'll likely see a bit of themselves in Tiger, will enjoy watching the boy hero in the parental role as he narrates in escalating, exasperated tones. "Shhh, Tiger! Quiet! You are driving me crazy! I'm trying to sleep. I don't want to hear any more noise." Alley's humorous cartoons vividly bring the exchanges to life. Tiger's bright orange fur and the boy's green pajamas stand out against the blue-gray nighttime backdrop. Tiger wears an appropriately contrite expression as he repeatedly says, "Oops! Tiger is sorry. Tiger will be quiet now." The facial expressions of both characters could just about tell the story by themselves when combined with the onomatopoeic words in large, colorful typeface emanating from the closet (e.g., "Crunch! " "Ker-thump! "). When the boy hears a "Boo-hoo " and discovers Tiger's fear of the dark, he takes a softer approach to his frightened friend. Readers of all ages will delight in the role changes and comic situations that make this book so appealing, not to mention its subtle lesson of empathy. Ages 2-up. (Jan.)

[Page 60]. Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.

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School Library Journal Reviews 2006 February

PreS-Gr 2 -With lots of fun sound effects and multiple opportunities for voice modulation, this book begs to be read aloud. The story opens with an illustration of a boy snoozing in his bed. Suddenly, he sits up and clutches the covers to his chin. A night-light illuminates the room, revealing an open closet door. He explains, "I can’t sleep because there’s a tiger in my closet…" After hearing a "Crunch! Crunch! Crunch!" he adds, "…a tiger in my closet eating potato chips!" As the antics continue, the child takes charge, repeatedly telling the big cat to quiet down. Each time, the creature apologizes, promises to be silent, and then proceeds on to the next noisy activity. When the boy hears a "Boo-hoo," he discovers that Tiger is afraid of the dark and invites the animal into his bed. This story about nighttime fears features a youngster who takes on the role of an adult, while the childlike animal playfully refuses to settle down. The heavily shadowed closet interior contrasts sharply with the colorful and exuberant images of Tiger doing multiple tasks simultaneously, and the narrator’s delightfully expressive body language continues the comic relief. Pair this tale with Mercer Mayer’s There’s a Nightmare in My Closet (Dial, 1968) for an empowering storytime.-Kirsten Cutler, Sonoma Library, CA

[Page 97]. Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.

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