The Teeger that Cam for his Tea

At Knox Library on Friday Aiden discovered on the shelves a picture book that he recognised but it did not look quite the same. The title was The Teeger who cam for his tea.  We decided to borrow it to have a closer look.

It is fifty years since Judith Kerr wrote and illustrated the picture book, The Tiger who came to Tea. I have a well used copy of the picture book which my children and, more recently, my grandchildren have enjoyed reading. The copy of the book with the strange title is a recent publication translated into Scots by Susan Kelpie. The illustrations and the story remain the same - it is just written in Scots.

Consequently 'Once there was a little girl called Sophie, and she was having tea with her mummy in the kitchen. Suddenly there was a ring at the door.' becomes 'There wis ainse a wee lassie cried Sophie, an ae day she was takkin her tea in the kitchen wi her mum. On a sudden there wis a chap at the door.' And so the story continues.

Having recently enjoyed reading a number of crime books by Scots author Denzil Meyrick where the speech of many of the characters is written in the Scots dialect, it was interesting to come across this well known story also in the Scots dialect.

For those who have difficuty ready the Scots dialect there is a reading of the book on YouTube - The Teeger that Cam for his Tea - You Tube. There are also a number of readings of the original version of the book on YouTube -  StorytimeAnytime - Wendy Stafford - LOL LOL (the condition of the book in this version on YouTube looks rather like our copy at home - well used and loved).

The Tiger who came to tea has also been turned into a play. In January 2015 Abby (then 4) and I went into the city on a train to to see the play at The Playhouse. The play was produced by an English Theatre Comany and the children present were thoroughly entertained with much audience participation. A great introduction to the theatre. When we left the theatre Abby informed me that the play was very funny. She later assured her grandfather that the tiger was just pretend.

When searching online I also discovered reference to a spoof on the Tiger who came to tea - this time, The teenager who came to tea by Emlyn Rees and Josie Lloyd, illustrated by Gillian Johnson and published in 2015. A line from this book indicates the flavour - 'But the teenager didn't take just one Pringle. He took a selfie of himself pouring a whole tube of them into his mouth, before sending it to his best mate, along with the letters LOL!'

Another adult spoof of the book appeared on the English television program, 8 out of 10 cats does Countdown when Sean Locke read his version - The tiger who came for a pint. Channel Four put this clip on Facebook in August 2016.

The tiger who came to tea was published in 1968 and was the author's first book for children. She has written many books since then but the Tiger remains a firm favourite with readers, young and old, throughout the world, not just in England.

Interview: Judith Kerr - Tiger! Tiger! Burning bright - The Guardian 29 November 2008
Book Series in Order - Judith Kerr