A Tiger Called Thomas by Charlotte Zolotow

Bibliography: Zolotow, Charlotte. 1963. A Tiger Called Thomas. ill. Diana Cain Bluthenthal. New York: Hyperion Books for Children.

Plot Summary: After Thomas and his family move into a new house, Thomas has a hard time making new friends. He assumes that no one likes him so he makes no attempt to talk to Marie as she plays hopscotch, Gerald as he walks down the street, or the old man as he walks his dog.

For Halloween, his mother buys him a tiger costume. He assumes he has the perfect disguise and sets out to go trick or treating. He visits all his neighbors and was shocked when they all knew who was hiding behind the mask. All night people continued to talk to him and invite him over to play sometime. Thomas soon realized that everyone did like him.

Critical Analysis: Zolotow tackles the tough subject of being the new kid on the block in A Tiger called Thomas. When Thomas moved into a new house, he had a hard time making new friends. He was very shy and assumed that no one would like him so he never left his front porch. Everyday his mother would encourage Thomas to go play with the other children in the neighborhood but he would always reply "they might not like me." For Halloween, Thomas receives a tiger costume from his mother. With a perfect disguise and new courage, Thomas sets off for a trick or treating adventure and soon discovers that everyone does like him.

Zolotow's simple writing is perfect for this story. Many kids will be able to relate to Thomas and how difficult it can be to make new friends. The story may also provide parents with a helping hand with their child who will not leave the stoop. The illustrations are a great addition to the story and fit it well. Bluthenthal creates the typical neighborhood street along with the typical neighborhood scenes. Zolotow's writing combined with Bluthenthal's illustrations, added in 2003, makes this a great picture book to share with children young or old.

Reviews
Kirkus: "Now reissued with its third set of illustrations, this 1963 text of Zolotow's remains timeless. In a wonderful change of pace, Bluthenthal depicts Thomas as a fetchingly round-headed child with dark skin and places him in a suburban setting. These are the best illustrations yet, not only because of Thomas's ethnicity, but because they are as direct, winsome, and clear as the story. A heartening episode to share with any shy newcomer."