This book was first published in 1963, so it’s been around for quite a long time. I remember reading this story and loving it – mostly because I would have liked to have a tiger over for tea myself. As a child I loved stories that had animals situated as part of every day life.
Reading it today bought back the warm and fuzzy feelings that I once had for it, but also that it has probably done it’s time, as it is full of old-fashioned stereotypical gender roles. I still love the illustrations though.
Anyway, Judith Kerr, the author and illustrator, who is now 93, received the ‘Book Trust’ Lifetime Achievement Award earlier this month and it was presented to her at the London Zoo in front of the tiger’s cage. As well as this book, she has written a whole picture book series about Mog the Cat and many others, including novels.
In 2012, she was awarded an OBE for her Services to Children’s Literature and Holocaust Education. When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit is a popular Young Adult novel which is said to be semi-autobiographical.
Congratulations to Judith Kerr – apparently she is still writing.
The Guardian has two interesting articles about her if you are interested in reading more.
