Dorje's Stripes

Gr 1—4—Dorje is a Royal Bengal tiger. During the two years that he has lived in a small Buddhist monastery, his stripes have disappeared, one by one. Then one day, the youngest monk notices a new stripe. One of the elder monks explains that Dorje's original home was in a dense jungle full of beautiful tigers until men came hunting them for their skins and sport. Every time one was killed, Dorje lost a stripe. In order to survive, he found his way to the monastery. Now he has met a female Royal Bengal tiger in the forest and his stripes are beginning to grow back, offering hope that the animals will survive. This heartwarming story is enhanced by stunning watercolors that add to its peaceful tone and suggest a quiet beauty as well as depict the action and emotions of each character. The last page provides facts about the survival of the Royal Bengal tigers, India's national animal.—Margaret R. Tassia, Millersville University, PA