The Tiger Who Came to Tea
by Judith Kerr

The Tiger Who Came To Tea

Are you ready to bring some magic and excitement into your classroom or home? Let’s dive into the delightful world of "The Tiger Who Came to Tea" by Judith Kerr. This charming tale can easily become a springboard for a variety of engaging activities that will captivate young minds and make learning an adventure.

First, let’s talk about the story itself. "The Tiger Who Came to Tea" is a whimsical narrative about a tiger who shows up unannounced at Sophie’s house and ends up eating all the food and drinking all the water in the tap! It’s a fun and unexpected story that’s perfect for sparking kids' imaginations. The book’s simplicity and charm make it an excellent choice for read-aloud sessions, encouraging children to predict what might happen next or to come up with their own fantastical encounters with other surprising guests.

Now, how about some activities to complement the reading? Start with a tiger-themed tea party! Invite your little learners to bring their favourite stuffed animals, and set up a pretend tea party. This is a fantastic way to practice social skills, such as taking turns and using polite language. You can also incorporate a bit of math by having the children help "prepare" the tea party, counting out cups, saucers, and snacks.

For a creative twist, why not have your students draw their own version of the tiger and write a short story about what might happen if their tiger came to tea? This allows for artistic expression and helps develop storytelling skills. You can even turn it into a mini book that they can share with their peers!

By integrating "The Tiger Who Came to Tea" into your lesson plans, you’re not just reading a book; you’re creating a whole experience that blends literacy, creativity, and social skills. Happy teaching, and may your tea parties be ever so tiger-ific!

Author: Judith Kerr

Judith was born in Berlin, the daughter of a distinguished German writer. She left Nazi Germany with her family in 1933 and fled across Europe, eventually settling in England. Years later she wrote about her experiences in her best-selling novel for middle-grade readers When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit. She is also the author and illustrator of numerous picture books, including The Tiger Who Came to Tea, which was first published in 1968 and has since sold more than one million copies worldwide.

Book Details:

  • Publisher: HarperCollins
  • Format: Paperback
  • Print length: 32 pages
  • Dimensions: 28 x 0.4 x 22 cm
  • Reading age: 2 - 4 years old
  • Publication date: 23 Feb. 2018
  • ISBN: 0007368380

Read alongside these topics:

How does "The Tiger Who Came to Tea" teach history to reception aged children?

Author: Judith Kerr

The Tiger Who Came to Tea, while primarily a beloved children's story, can be used as a tool to introduce historical concepts to reception-aged children in several ways. The book, first published in 1968, provides an opportunity to explore how life in the past differed from today.

Children can discuss similarities and differences between the story's setting and their own lives, noting changes in everyday objects, clothing styles, and family routines. This comparison helps children understand the concept of "long ago" and develops their ability to recognize historical changes. The story also aids in developing basic chronological skills, as children can practice arranging daily events in order, using the story's sequence as a reference.

The book can be used to introduce concepts like "today," "yesterday," and "tomorrow," helping children grasp basic time-related vocabulary. This foundational understanding of chronology is crucial for developing historical thinking skills in young learners.

Furthermore, The Tiger Who Came to Tea can spark historical curiosity and develop early inquiry skills. Children can be encouraged to ask and answer "how" and "why" questions about the story and its setting, introducing the idea of using stories as historical sources. This approach helps children understand that we can learn about the past from books and stories, not just from formal historical documents.

The book also provides a starting point for discussing family histories, prompting children to compare their own family experiences with Sophie's family in the book. This can lead to conversations about grandparents and how life was different when they were young, helping children to understand personal and family history as part of a broader historical context.

Additionally, the story offers opportunities to discuss objects from the past, allowing children to identify items that might be considered "old" or "modern." This activity develops their ability to categorize items historically and understand how everyday objects have changed over time. It can be a fun and engaging way to introduce the concept of material culture to young children.

By using The Tiger Who Came to Tea as a springboard for these activities, reception-aged children can begin to develop foundational historical skills and concepts in an engaging and age-appropriate manner. The familiar and enjoyable story provides a comfortable context for exploring more complex ideas about time, change, and the past.

Through these various approaches, the book serves as a valuable resource for early history education, helping to lay the groundwork for more advanced historical thinking in later years. It demonstrates how even simple children's stories can be powerful tools for introducing important educational concepts to young learners.

Discover Hands-On Education