Celebrate the day with some grrrreat children’s books and tiger-themed activities
Today is International Tiger Day, an annual celebration to raise awareness for tiger conservation. So, now’s the perfect time to share some fantastic facts about my favourite animal – and recommend some terrific tiger-themed children’s books.
I admit it; I have a bit of an obsession with tigers. They’ve fascinated me for as long as I can remember. I love everything about them – their beauty, their power and their poise. If I could be an animal, I would definitely be a tiger. And here’s why.
My top five tiger facts
- Tigers are the largest of all the big cats. According to National Geographic Kids, they can weigh up to 363 kg – which is roughly the weight of ten ten-year-olds!
- They’re fast. They can reach speeds of up to 40 mph and can jump over 5 metres in length. They’re great swimmers too.
- Tigers can make a wide range of noises, and their roar can be heard over two miles (3km) away.
- Each tiger has its own unique set of stripes – just like our fingerprints – and beneath the fur tiger skin is stripy too.
- The collective term for a group of tigers is an ambush or a streak.
Tigers ignite the imagination
Tigers have inspired poets, writers and artists for centuries – and it’s easy to see why. I created a haughty hero called Zarif for my first children’s picture book: Tiger Tale because I thought it would be fun to imagine what it would be like to be a tiger.
There are some fabulous tiger-themed children’s books. Here are some of my favourites.
My top five tiger books for kids
- The Tiger Who Came to Tea by Judith Kerr
- The Tale of the Tiger Slippers by Jan Brett
- Ravi’s Roar by Tom Percival
- There’s a Tiger in the Garden by Lizzy Stewart
- A Tiger Tale by Holly Webb
Become a tiger protector
The World Wildlife Fund is working with governments, business and community groups to safeguard the future of these magnificent creatures. They aim to double the number of wild tigers to over 6,000 by 2022 – the next Chinese year of the tiger.
The charity has produced a fantastic free info-poster to mark International Tiger Day and inspire young people to safeguard the natural world.
And if, like me, you want to play your part in the continuing story of this greatest of all the big cats, why not make this International Tiger Day extra special by signing up to adopt a tiger today.
- Photo by Miranda Richey on Unsplash