The Tiger's Egg

PreS-Gr 2—Life at the zoo takes a new turn for Herman the tiger when a tiny egg falls, hitting him on the head as he's nurturing a bad mood. Curious, he wraps the egg in his soft tail and falls asleep. Herman knows a bit about eggs and birds, having chatted with ducks who sometimes swim in his moat. He's soon a caring parent for the small scrawny bird that hatches. Brönner creates a gently comic situation and characters as readers follow an expressive Herman and his young tiger bird's early life lessons. Anxious to leave the nest and get out into the world, little bird receives roaring instruction. "First stand with your legs apart, fluff up your neck feathers, and pull your eyebrows together so you look really nasty." Herman comes to regret assuring the bird that he's like a little tiger when his protégé has a close, brash encounter with a big gray pelican. Children will surely chuckle over the youngster's boastful belief that his loud "Tweeeet!" scared off the big bird. As the two curl up after an exciting day, Herman knows that he has more teaching to do tomorrow.