Lego 31129: Tiger, Panda and Koi Fish

These types of multi-build lego sets are fantastic for keen 5-9-year-olds. This particular set can be built as a tiger, a red panda, or a koi fish.

Below are some children’s books you might consider pairing with this toy to complete a fun, slightly educational, but mostly entertaining present.

The Tiger Who Came to Tea, by Judith Kerr

This is a classic picture book that many children nowadays may not have seen. I think it’s lovely when an adult can share a book from their childhood with a child. Based on the simple idea of what it would be like to have a wild tiger turn up for tea at your house, this book exemplifies the imagination and whimsy of childhood. I think children will be drawn in by the old-school looking illustrations as it will feel very different to what they are used to seeing.

Mr Tiger Goes Wild, by Peter Brown

We adore Peter Brown’s books and I have reviewed this one before. This is a classic ‘I-don’t-feel-like-I-fit-in’ book, where the main character notices differences between themselves and those around them. Mr Tiger feels wilder than everyone else and needs to find some way or somewhere to express that. Peter Brown’s graphic illustrations are magically wild, captivating and distinct and I just adore them.

Daisy: Tiger Ways, by Kes Gray and Nick Sharratt

I have well documented our love – nay, obsession – with Daisy. My kids are always re-reading them and asking me to read them aloud. I’ve only just this week put my foot down and said I’m taking a break from Daisy chapter books for a while.

Tiger Ways is a picture book that sees Daisy make-believe she is a tiger and imagines going off to live with tigers and learning their ways. As a tiger Daisy has a grand time and tiger teeth it will be much easier to eat Jack Beechwistle. Daisy’s spunk and creativity is evident and kids’ will want to be just like her.

Lift, by Minh Le and Dan Santat

This book is light on words, but strong on story and emotion. Set out like a large form comic book, the story begins with a young girl who lives on an apartment building riding the elevator to the lobby. He button pushing power is usurped by her baby brother creating a rift. In her frustration she sneaks a button into her room and is surprised when it works and she gets to travel to new settings.

The link to a tiger is subtle. But those are the links my kids seem to like best. They love to think they are book detectives, pointing out text-to-self or text-to-text connections, that maybe no one else has observed.