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The Legend of Tiger and Tail-Flower
CCBC Review:
This buoyant, lengthy picture book is a translated work from a beloved Korean graphic novelist. Tiger, a big beast and bully of the forest, is not well liked by the other animals and is comfortable with his solitary and independent life. One day he wakes up to find that a talking dandelion has sprouted at the tip of his tail. The dandelion quickly forges a connection with the forest animals, who empathize with its predicament of being stuck to the mean tiger. After episodes in which the dandelion forces the tiger to help save a chicken egg, and later assist some animals across the river, the tiger recognizes that it can be nice to be nice. As the seasons progress, a bond develops between Tiger and Tail Flower. When the yellow dandelion turns white and fluffy, the orange tiger also turns white, though he doesn’t realize that this is an indicator of age. When Tiger finds himself caught in a hunter’s net, Tail Flower insists that Tiger blow on her dandelion’s petals as a rescue signal to their animal friends. Tiger’s salvation is also Tail Flower’s demise, since she has now blown away in her old age. This sweet, reflective, and unusual tale is a successful combination of animal story, picture book, and graphic novel. ©2025 Cooperative Children’s Book Center
Illustrated by
Lee Gee Eun
Translated by
Aerin Park
CCBC Age Recommendation: Ages 5-8
Age Range:
PreK-Early Elementary (Ages 4-7)
Grades 3-5 (Ages 8-10)
Formats:
Graphic Novel
Picture book
Subjects:
Animals (Fiction)
Friendship
Life Cycle
Translated Books
Diversity subject:
Asian
Publisher:
Levine Querido
Publish Year: 2024
Pages: 68
ISBN: 9781646144594
CCBC Location: Picture Book, 741.5 Eun