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Review: Tiger Tiger Burning Bright

We have recently welcomed a truly magnificent addition to our morning basket: Tiger, Tiger, Burning Bright! This volume is an ambitious "poem-a-day" compendium, offering a fresh lyrical encounter for every single day of the calendar year. I must admit, I was somewhat taken aback by the sheer physical presence of this book; it is a veritable titan compared to our other "story-a-day" collections. While its substantial weight makes it a bit of a localized inhabitant of our bookshelf rather than a travel companion, the oversized format serves a noble purpose: it provides an expansive canvas for the stunning illustrations. The artwork by Britta Teckentrup is reminiscent of the iconic, textured style of Eric Carle, capturing the animal kingdom with a vibrant, sophisticated simplicity.


The structure of the book is elegantly organized, beginning each month with a comprehensive list of the featured poems. Each two-page spread is curated with thematic precision, grouping poems that share a common subject, whether it be a specific predator or a delicate cluster of insects. While the book is designed for a year-long journey, I frequently find myself deviating from the "one-per-day" mandate, reading several selections at a time to satisfy my daughters' curiosity. The poems themselves are brief and punchy, making them the perfect academic "palate cleanser" to read during snack time or as a transition between more rigorous subjects. 



From a practical standpoint, the book includes a built-in ribbon bookmark—a small but vital luxury for any parent juggling multiple volumes. The illustrations are particularly well-suited for a multi-age household; the art is clean and "easy on the eyes," lacking the cluttered chaos that often overwhelms younger observers. This allows my two-year-old to easily identify and point out specific animals without getting lost in a visual thicket. It has sparked a delightful new trend in our living room: after we conclude a reading, both girls immediately transition into a theatrical reenactment of the animals we’ve just encountered.


One of the most impressive details is the book’s commitment to the calendar: it features exactly 366 poems. Indeed, the editors had the foresight to include a selection for leap years, ensuring that no day is left without its own dedicated verse. This brevity is the soul of wit—and the savior of the toddler attention span. Because the readings are so concise, my youngest remains fully engaged, while my oldest enjoys the rhythmic complexity of the different authors featured throughout the collection. It is a rare resource that caters so effectively to both the nursery and the primary classroom simultaneously.



I would categorize Tiger, Tiger, Burning Bright! as a premier recommendation for any family looking to infuse their daily routine with a touch of literary elegance. Whether you use it as a formal part of your English curriculum or simply as background enrichment while your children play, the quality of the selections is consistently high. It is a beautiful way to foster an early appreciation for poetry without the intimidation factor of longer, more dense works. We are absolutely smitten with this menagerie of verse. I am curious to hear from you—do you have a favorite "anthology" style book that your children request on repeat? Let us know in the comments below!

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