Tiger Days: A Book of Feelings

In this tender story, Clark compares powerful emotions to animals. Hurley illustrates in a gentle graphic style, rendering even the fiercer animals with an underlying softness. "On turtle days, I'm quiet./ On turtle days, I'm shy," Clark writes, as a timid turtle shrinks into its bell-shaped shell. But "Bear Days" bring courage and strength: "No matter what the day might bring,/ I think I could do anything" and a purple rhino represents a "stubborn" state of mind. Clark reassures readers that, though their moods change, "I'm still me, I'm always me,/ no matter how I seem." By observing and recognizing the feelings and related behaviors conveyed, readers may potentially better understand their own. Ages 3-6. (Feb.)

PreS-Gr 2--An unnamed first person narrator explains a variety of ways of being while still being oneself. "On tiger days I want to climb. I'm wild and I'm fierce. I pace around and pounce and roar, that's what tiger days are for." Many other feelings follow--snail days are slow; turtle days are shy; bear days are bold; bull days are angry; monkey days are silly, etc. Clark also includes the important message that despite all one's different feelings, "I'm still ME, I'm always ME, /no matter how I seem./And there are just so many ways/that I can be on different days." The rhythm of Clark's text is little tricky, but it works well once you figure out the rhyme scheme. Hurley's illustrations are filled with rich background colors that allow the animals' brighter hues to stand out. Each feeling has its own appropriate color scheme, and each of the feelings are allowed to shine with its own spread. VERDICT Clark's use of animals to describe various feelings is wonderfully accessible and effective. A useful addition for all collections in need of books on this topic.--Catherine Callegari, Gay-Kimball Library, Troy, NH