We're back in our board book era, digging out old favourites like Peace at Last and Peepo, being asked to reread the same book again and again, over and over.
Having a toddler also means I'm back in ‘tiger days’ era. This was a term I coined years ago, when I had my first toddler and was reading The Tiger Who Came to Tea at least once a day.
You see, there are a few theories about what The Tiger Who Came to Tea is really about. Published in 1968, the book tells the story of a tiger who turns up on the doorstep and invites himself to tea, eating and drinking all the food and water in the house. He leaves the house in chaos and is never seen again.
Given Judith Kerr's childhood escape from Nazi Germany, some have suggested the story is actually about the Gestapo, arriving at night and full of threat.
Meanwhile, Judith Kerr always maintained it's about nothing more than a tiger coming to tea.
And I have my own interpretation, based on repeat readings and an analysis of Judith Kerr’s illustrations. I shared the theory on my Instagram years ago when I was regularly reading the story to my eldest.
You see, I've had days like this. There might be some wonderful moments, like baking a cake or sitting down to a lovely afternoon tea. And then this moment happens:
Whenever I get to this page I think: I recognise that woman.
The house is chaos, the toddler has emptied the cupboards and they never made it to the shops because she couldn't face another argument about putting shoes on.
She's wondering where the day has gone and also why it's not bedtime yet. She's thinking, You mean I have to sweep the floor again?
But you have to keep it upbeat, so you joke about that pesky tiger who was so greedy he drank the last drop of water from the tap.
Because, look at her face. Bath time is a repetitive chore too much for today. So, she gets Sophie into her nightdress and she is so tired. That is a weary woman right there. But the text - that keeps it light!
And she can't summon the energy to cook yet another dinner either. But her husband knows.
Just ook at the dad's kind eyes when she explains the tiger. Sophie is quiet because she knows there wasn't really a tiger but she likes playing a trick on daddy, likes the wildness of it all. Plus, maybe he'll take them out for dinner like last time!
And look again at her husband. He understand exactly what his wife is really telling him in the tiger story.
She's saying: today was chaotic and I didn't manage to get anything done and that tiger turned up again and I feel guilty even though I am going my best.
And be knows what is needed. A change of scenery, a walk in the dark with twinkly lights, and someone else to cook the dinner. Everything looks different in the dark. A bit more magic.
Look at Sophie's mummy here, her whole posture has changed as if she has finally exhaled. Daddy probably would rather be at home because he is also exhausted after a commute, but he gets it.
Sometimes you have to say fuck it, this is a tiger day, and go out for chips.
Love this interpretation! I am seeing it in a whole new light and it makes so much sense xx
I love this reading! I read this book sooo many times when my boys were small, and there were oh so many tiger days.