The Rat and the Tiger [Mass Market Paperback]

Keiko Kasza (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 3 and up | Grade Level: P and up

Even though one is just a tiny little fellow and the other is a big tough guy, rat and tiger are best friends. they have lots of fun playing together, even though tiger is a bit of a bully. when they play cowboys, rat always has to be the bad guy. when they share a snack, rat always gets the smaller piece. but one day, tiger takes the bullying too far, and rat decides that he’s not going take it anymore. rat stands up for himself and refuses to be tiger’s friend until tiger learns to play fair and square. with appealing illustrations and a simple text, Keiko Kasza delivers an important message about friendship in this heartwarming story.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

"I'm a rat, just a tiny little rat," says the diminutive narrator of this piquant tale about friendship. Towering above him is his best buddy, Tiger, "a big tough fellow." Rat explains that the two "used to have a little problem." Whenever they played cowboys, Rat always had to be the bad guy. And whenever they shared a doughnut, he was left with a small piece while his buddy received the Tiger's share. But one day the big bully goes too far. When he kicks over the elaborate block castle Rat painstakingly built, the latter declares that Tiger is no longer his friend. And the stubborn little fellow makes sure that his companion has truly mended his selfish ways before he declares them pals once again. As in her past books, Kasza ( The Pigs' Picnic ; A Mother for Choco ) here delivers a valuable lesson cunningly and effectively. With their drolly expressive faces, Tiger and Rat pass on the importance of sharing, playing fairly and treating others as you'd like to be treated. As a bonus, Kasza adds a characteristically clever tangle at story's end. Ages 4-8.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 2-- Children will root for the underdog in this familiar scenario. Because of his larger stature, Tiger tends to bully his friend Rat, forcing him to play the bad guy in cowboy games, allotting him only a tiny piece of their shared doughnut, and sending him into the brambles to pick a flower. After each episode, Rat philosophically states, "What could I say? I'm just a tiny little rat." Finally, the rodent reaches his limit, speaks his mind, and is immediately fearful of the consequences. But Tiger is shame-faced, not angry, and makes amends to restore the balance in their friendship. Bright, watercolor illustrations set against a white background depict appealing characters with wonderfully expressive features. A simple text and repetitive plot elements make this a good choice both for story times and for beginning readers. --Joy Fleishhacker, New York Public Library
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 3 and up
  
• Mass Market Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Puffin (April 19, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0142409006
• ISBN-13: 978-0142409008
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 8.1 x 0.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #437,913 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #41 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > Animals > Lions, Tigers & Leopards > Fiction

More About the Author

Keiko Kasza was born on a small Japanese island in the Inland Sea of Japan. She grew up in a typical Japanese extended family with her parents, two brothers, and grandparents. Uncles, aunts, and cousins also lived nearby. "All the steps I took growing up were very normal," Ms. Kasza says. "The only unusual thing I did was go to college in the United States." She graduated with a degree in graphic design from California State University at Northridge. Ms. Kasza married an American, and the United States has been her home ever since.After publishing five children's books in Japan and working as a graphic designer for fourteen years, Ms. Kasza decided in 1988 to devote her time to picture books. She says, "Having two small boys and two professions was too much to handle."Ms. Kasza admires many great picture-book creators, such as Leo Lionni and Maurice Sendak, but says that the work of Arnold Lobel has influenced her the most. The subtle humor and warmth he created in his books continues to inspire me," she says. "I often go back to his work when I get discouraged or lose confidence."Ms. Kasza compares the process of making a book to acting on stage under the lights:"I become the character that I'm working on at that moment. I pretend that I'm a bird looking for a mother, or a pig trying to impress his girlfriend. When I'm acting, I'm a child myself."Ms. Kasza's ambition is not to create a hundred books, but to "create one really good book that will be kept on the family bookshelves for generations, although a hundred really good books would be even better, of course!"Keiko Kasza lives in Indiana with her husband and two sons.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars I'm just a little rat, but a smart one!, June 20, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Rat and the Tiger (Paperback)

A wonderful book. Even though the story and language level are simple, the book addresses several valuable themes for children and has led to discussions with my kids about sharing, empathy , and the ability to stick up for yourself, even if you are "just a little rat". Both my three year old and my one and a half year old have enjoyed this book and other books by this author.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Finally! A book with a moral message AND it's a good read!, October 11, 2005

By 

I Write Too "LisaLou" (Spotsy, VA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Rat and the Tiger (Paperback)

Excellent book! My 5 year old LOVES this book. He said to his father and I, "when we go to the library, let's just tell them we are going to buy it". We are now searching the net for a good price, and we're not even waiting for Christmas to give it to him!

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful book, September 30, 2011

By 

lee - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Rat and the Tiger (Mass Market Paperback)

I read this book to my 1 year old. He loves it. I love it too. The illustrations are toooooo good. And story is off course very good. The story is very simple but has a good lesson that friends need to share things and if you tend to bully your friends then you have nothing to gain. Though my 1 year old does not yet understand the lesson from story, he thoroughly enjoys the book. (I read many books to him since young age and this is one of our favorite)