Tommy & Tiger Terry by Darren Mort, illustrated by Niama
Wessely (To Be Loved Network, https://tobeloved.org.au/) HB RRP $24.99 ISBN 978 0987633415
Reviewed by
Dianne Bates
The publisher of this picture book is a registered charity with the aim
of providing public benevolent relief to children and young adults experiencing
extreme physical, psychological or emotional distress as a result of family
violence, family breakdown, separation and/or divorce. The book was written by
the co-founder of the To Be Loved charity who has been a Barrister in Family
Law.
The book starts with Tommy, a small boy, who feels happy and safe in the
sun. However, he hears his parents arguing. Then there’s an odd sentence: ‘One
night, Tommy’s Mum climbed through his bedroom window using a long vine.’ There
is no indication that Tommy and his parents live in a jungle, though it seems
that the author uses the jungle as a metaphor for their relationship, but this
is unlikely to be understood by young readers. Tommy’s mother tells him that
Dad is moving to another jungle. When they separate, the boy is shared between
his parents with changeovers happening in the park.
Another metaphor occurs when Tommy crawls through a playground tunnel and
ends up at a beach with a tiger in a boat. Troops are waiting…
Mum has a new partner – Nicole, who has a daughter, Summer. Mum quizzes
Tommy about his visits with Dad and Dad wants to know about Mum. Tommy sees a
counsellor, Olivia but it’s his invisible playmate, Terry the tiger, who has
his confidence. Unexpectedly, Mum and Dad separately but concurrently realise
they need to handle their child kindlier so, ‘At the next changeover, something
felt different.’
This book is full of good intentions, but there are too many conflicting
elements, too many people. The climax of the story is not well-handled. It’s a
shame a good editor wasn’t employed to manage the storytelling problems.
The illustrations are a combination of hand-drawn ink on paper and watercolour
elements that are combined digitally. The result is a book with lots of bright
colours and patterns.
This is a book which needs to be read – and explained – to children aged
4 to 7 years.
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