The Dancing Tiger

I think that this book could develop children to want to research maybe tigers or other animals, but besides that I do not think that there is much inquiry development from this book. I think it is a cute book for children, but it does not provide much for science.

• Author: Malachy Doyle
• Year Published: 2005
• ISBN: 0670060208

Science Topics

• Life Science

Minimum Suggested Grade Level

• Prekindergarten

Maximum Suggested Grade Level

• 2nd Grade

Summary

This book is about a dancing tiger with a little girl

Evaluation

• Appropriateness: Low
• Authority: Low
• Accuracy: Low
• Liteary Artistry: High
• Appearance: High

Questions

Does the book foster development of processes?

I think that this book could develop children to want to research maybe tigers or other animals, but besides that I do not think that there is much inquiry development from this book. I think it is a cute book for children, but it does not provide much for science.

Does the book provide an opportunity for children to ask and answer their own questions?

The children could ask questions about the text; such as do tigers actually talk? Or where do tigers live, etc. I think there is an opportunity for teachers to ask questions, and for teachers to ask what the children think will happen next, etc.

Does the book encourage children to think for themselves?

The book just tells a fairy tale about a tiger who talks and dances with a little girl. I think that you could use this book in conjunction with other books, and maybe as a way to introduce a lesson about researching in inquiry about animals. Or what if animals could walk, etc. It could be a good story starter if you are having children make up a book or creating their own stories.

Is the science topic addressed in ways that are appropriate to the lesson?

It probably would not be a great book for a science lesson. It does not depict much science besides a tiger, but even that information is not accurate. I think there are a lot of books like this out there. I wonder if children do believe that tigers and other animals can dance and talk with humans.

Is the content based on sound scientific principles? Is it accurate?

It is not accurate information. Obviously a tiger cannot talk, dance, or walk on two legs. The story could be an interesting book to read with your classroom for other reasons, which are not science reasons.

Does the book distinguish between fact and fiction?

The book does not state within the text that it is fiction. There is a talking and dancing tiger within the text. This texts purpose is to entertain. It does not depict science correctly.

Are the illustrations clear and accurate?

Yes, I think the illustrations are very pretty. They are very clear and depict what the text is saying. The problem is that the tiger talks and walks on two feet and dances with the little girl. In reality this would not happen and the tiger would probably have eaten the little girl.

Is the book written at the level of your students?

No, it is a very easy book. There are only a few words on each page, maximum of a few sentences. It would be appropriate for some of my students that are not able to read yet, or who read on a lower level than 5^th grade.

Is there a multicultural component? Is it free from stereotyping?

The only multicultural components are the tiger and the moon. The story is about a white little girl, so there are no people of colored included in this text.

Is the book free from gender bias?

The story is about a little girl. The only two characters that are in the book, are a tiger and a little girl. I do not think that this book purposely didn’t include boys, but the book is about dancing, and I think people gender bias girls with dancing and being sweet to animals. It would have been very intriguing if it was about a boy instead. At the end it is the little girl grown into an old woman with her grand child, who then takes her place dancing with the tiger. I think it would have shown less gender bias if it would have been her boy grandchild who would have taken her place with the tiger.

Does the book show the close association between science and other disciplines?

This text obviously incorporates reading, since it is a book. The science is depicting a tiger living within the forest, but it doesn’t depict the tiger in a reality. The tiger is dancing and talking and it does not age when the little girl ages into a grandmother.

Does the book present a positive attitude toward science and technology?

I think it presents a positive attitude towards science because it shows that tigers should be friends. I think it is trying to promote animal curiosity. The main point is to entertain, but if I read this book as a little girl I would want to be that little girl, and I would want to learn more about tigers.