Tight Times (Picture Puffins) [Paperback]

Barbara Shook Hazen (Author), Trina Schart Hyman (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 5 and up | Grade Level: K and up | Series: Picture Puffins

A small boy, not allowed to have a dog because times are tight, finds a starving kitten in a trash can on the same day his father loses his job.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Puffin Books (July 11, 1983)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0140504427
• ISBN-13: 978-0140504422
• Product Dimensions: 7.1 x 8.9 x 0.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #34,362 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #27 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > Animals > Pets > Fiction
  • #50 in Books > Children's Books > Animals > Pets
  • #57 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > People & Places > Family Life > Parents

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

78 of 79 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Very Touching Book, June 16, 2000

By 

Ferrin Sanders - See all my reviews

This review is from: Tight Times (Picture Puffins) (Paperback)

I cried when I read this story. That doesn't happen very often to me while reading a children's book, but Tight Times is so sweet that I was very moved. The story is about a small family doing their best to cope despite their financial troubles. The parents are worried and feel bad for their son. Seeing their child do without is so much harder on them than their own deprivation. It was gratifying that the little boy found a way to get a pet after all. The little family is filled with such a stong love that the reader knows that somehow things will turn out well for them, despite their problems. The artwork is excellent. In particular, the drawing of the mother and father hugging their son says more than words ever could. I just love this book and recommend it for any family, whether having "tight times" or not.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars TIMELESS STORY THAT IS MORE PERTINENT TODAY THAN WHEN IT WAS FIRST PUBLISHED. Wonderful lesson for children and adults., October 10, 2009

By 

D. Blankenship (The Ozarks) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Tight Times (Hardcover)

This work was actually first published in 1979, in those days of plenty, or so they say, but the message here is timeless. I have to admit right from the start that I got sort of misty eyed over this one, but then I am sort of a misty eyed old man when all is said and done so I suppose that is not an absolute indicator of how the book will affect you on a personal level, but affect you it will.

This is a simple story of a husband, wife and little boy who are just trying to get along in life. The parents and child live in a small, but adequate apartment in a city. They are pretty typical. The little boy wants a dog; has always wanted a dog, but when he asks his father for one, he is told that he cannot have one, as these are "tight times." You can tell that the family is under a lot of financial stress; mom has had to go to work and things are getting a bit rundown and instead of meat and potatoes for supper they get sort of a soupy lima bean soup. This is a typical middle class family with their back to the wall. Well the next day the father comes home and is obviously worried and depressed. While the little boy does not quite understand, it is very apparent that the father has lost his job. What is the family to do? Is this the end? Will it sink into complete despair? One thing for sure, there certainly will be no dog anytime soon in the little boys life.

As the young child is outside his building the next day, he hears a pitiful noise coming from an overflowing garbage can. A kindly lady stops and she and the child investigate. Low and behold they find a half starved, pathetic looking kitten which has obviously been dumped there. The little boy is told by the lady to take the kitten home and take care of it.

No spoilers here...you have to read it yourself to find out the fate of the kitten and little boy who wants a dog.

This is a well crafted story which is even more pertinent today than the day it was written. Thousands of families across our country are facing the dilemma this family is facing...this is real life folks!

As I said this story is touching on so many levels. All the people in the story are nice but simply have gotten caught up in a situation beyond their control. They find that love; love for each other and love for their family is a wonderful thing, a thing that can take them through the worse of "tight times." There is a great message here.

The art work in done in pencil drawings and realistic right down to the nitty-gritty as to domestic scenes and facial expressions. The artist, Trina Schart Hyman knows her craft and she has complimented the wonderful text by Barbara Shook Hazen perfectly. Now I will admit that the art work has a 1970s flavor about it; furniture, clothing and hair style, but that is to be expected when you consider when the book was first created. To have it differently would not be true to the story. This in not in the least distracting though and in facts adds to the value of the book. This is very detailed work here, very good on all levels.

This is a wonderful read for both young and old during these "tight times" that we are all facing today and it is a work that needs to be hauled off the bottom of the library shelf and resurrected to its rightful place. I do highly recommend this one.

Don Blankenship
The Ozarks

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Sweet story and realistic., September 16, 2005

By 

Nicole Benke "English Teacher" (Texas) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Tight Times (Picture Puffins) (Paperback)

This is a sweet story about a family that experiences financial troubles. I actually purchased and used it to help my high school students with inferencing - it worked well.