A Tiger Called Thomas is a sweet, non-scary Halloween story. Charlotte Zolotow is one of my favorite children’s book authors. In the story, Thomas moves to a new neighborhood. He is too shy to go play with anyone, so he sits on his porch and watches the world go by. His mother urges him to go play and make friends, but he is convinced that no one will like him.
On Halloween, his mother gives him a tiger costume. Under the mask, he finds the courage to get off his porch and go trick or treating. To his surprise, all his neighbors call him by name. They ask him to come play with their cats, to play hopscotch and horseshoes the next day. Thomas returns home with the warm feeling that his new neighbors recognized him and liked him.
This book has two different issues. The first edition has soft watercolors by Catherine Stock that match the sweet mood of the story. The book was reissued in 1988 with minor text changes. The new art uses shapes and collage that also beautifully illustrate the story. In the first version Thomas has white skin, in the second he has brown. Both versions of Thomas are nice, sweet, and shy boys.
Unlike some Halloween books, nothing in this story is frightening. I think it’s a great story for confidence building, and for children who have recently moved, as well as a sweet Halloween book to share. I also like that while his mother encourages him to go play with his neighbors that she doesn’t pressure him. And it seems like she knew all along that he just needed time, and maybe the help of a tiger costume.
More Halloween Books:
Happy Haunting, Amelia Bedelia – Herman Parish
Dragon’s Halloween – Dav Pilkey
Arthur’s Halloween – Marc Brown