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Tiger Pups
This is the true story of Nasira, Anjika, and Sidani, three white Bengal tiger cubs whose mother stopped nursing them only fifteen hours after their birth. Luckily, two zookeepers, Tom and Allie Harvey, were keeping a close eye on them. The Harveys paired the hungry cubs with their golden retriever, Isabella—who was still nursing her own puppy—to see if Isabella would feed and care for the baby tigers. The match was a Isabella immediately adopted the cubs as if they were her very own . . . Tiger Pups! This sensational story swept the country, and Isabella and the tiger pups have become the darlings of the media. Captured in adorable, intimate, and exclusive images by Tom Harvey and National Geographic photographer Keith Philpott, here is the fascinating story of the cubs and how they make the transition from living in the house with the Harveys to their new den outdoors. At two months, the cubs are active, curious, and playful. They get into everything! Share in this remarkable and heartwarming story that marks a truce in the age-old battle between cats and dogs.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published June 23, 2009
53 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
October 30, 2022
I've now had experiences with three different kids for Tiger Pups by Tom and Allie Harvey, and I added it to my permanent collection in May (thank you, thriftbooks).
I really do love animal friendships, and the story in Tiger Pups honestly amazes me. Three tiger cubs are stranded by their mother after day one. They live in a wildlife sanctuary, and the owners take them in. What surprises me is that the dog and the tigers adapt to each other so easily, and the dog is actually able to nurse the tigers. I guess theoretically it makes sense since the tigers are about the size of large puppies, but to me it seems like the Harveys took a big gamble. How did they know it would work? And would it technically work with any mammal of similar sizes? Lots to think about here.
I would definitely recommend using this book as something beyond just a read aloud at any age. Students do need to know more about the science and possibility behind this kind of relationship before it can be believable. Compared to Owen and Mzee, it's different because it's a human-influenced or induced friendship between animals of a species that wouldn't usually interact.
As an aside, with all of these animal friendships books, I would be interested in knowing more about the conditions that could cause animals to build up this sort of relationship with a member of another species in the wild.
Read my full review on my Goodreads account for children's books.
I really do love animal friendships, and the story in Tiger Pups honestly amazes me. Three tiger cubs are stranded by their mother after day one. They live in a wildlife sanctuary, and the owners take them in. What surprises me is that the dog and the tigers adapt to each other so easily, and the dog is actually able to nurse the tigers. I guess theoretically it makes sense since the tigers are about the size of large puppies, but to me it seems like the Harveys took a big gamble. How did they know it would work? And would it technically work with any mammal of similar sizes? Lots to think about here.
I would definitely recommend using this book as something beyond just a read aloud at any age. Students do need to know more about the science and possibility behind this kind of relationship before it can be believable. Compared to Owen and Mzee, it's different because it's a human-influenced or induced friendship between animals of a species that wouldn't usually interact.
As an aside, with all of these animal friendships books, I would be interested in knowing more about the conditions that could cause animals to build up this sort of relationship with a member of another species in the wild.
Read my full review on my Goodreads account for children's books.
May 7, 2012
Awwww! I really enjoy stories of unusual animal friendships (e.g., Owen and Mzee: The True Story of a Remarkable Friendship: The True Story Of A Remarkable Friendship) and this is no exception. When a new tiger mom stops caring for her babies, the owners of the sanctuary decide to give the pups to their dog, Isabella, who recently weened her own litter of pups. Isabella adopts the tiger cubs and treats them as her own and they thrive under her care and the supervision of the dedicated sanctuary owners.
The narrative is short and easy to follow (suitable for little ones) and the pictures are adorable. I would have liked a few more photos of the cubs and dog together, but the ones that are there are really cute. I also would have liked more information, such as an author's note, in the back since the story itself doesn't have a lot of details. But, I still enjoyed it and think other animal lovers will, too.
The narrative is short and easy to follow (suitable for little ones) and the pictures are adorable. I would have liked a few more photos of the cubs and dog together, but the ones that are there are really cute. I also would have liked more information, such as an author's note, in the back since the story itself doesn't have a lot of details. But, I still enjoyed it and think other animal lovers will, too.
July 2, 2011
When the mother of three tiger cubs stopped caring for them, wildlife park directors Tom and Allie Harvey took the cubs into their home in hopes that their Golden Retriever, Isabella, would mother them. The dog, who had recently weaned a litter of pups, nursed the cubs and formed a bond with them, which allowed the tigers to grow healthy and strong. Sharp color photographs show the cubs eating, sleeping, and at play with Isabella, Tom, and Allie. This book should be a favorite with animal-loving children.
July 31, 2022
I've now had experiences with three different kids for Tiger Pups by Tom and Allie Harvey, and I added it to my permanent collection in May (thank you, thriftbooks).
I really do love animal friendships, and the story in Tiger Pups honestly amazes me. Three tiger cubs are stranded by their mother after day one. They live in a wildlife sanctuary, and the owners take them in. What surprises me is that the dog and the tigers adapt to each other so easily, and the dog is actually able to nurse the tigers. I guess theoretically it makes sense since the tigers are about the size of large puppies, but to me it seems like the Harveys took a big gamble. How did they know it would work? And would it technically work with any mammal of similar sizes? Lots to think about here.
I first read this multiple times with a kid who wanted to read it over and over again when I was working with a program with him in middle school. He was probably five or six at the time, and I can't even remember what the appeal for this book was for him. I don't know if I even asked at the time (I had no idea about any of the things I know now related to learning to read, I'll repeat I was in middle school).
I remembered this book again with another student who was a similar age this past spring, but she definitely struggled with it. I'm not sure if it was because she had preconceived ideas that dogs and tigers would hurt each other. Perhaps Tiger Pups is a book that involves more preteaching and providing background knowledge if I were to use it with a class of younger students. I feel like there is a lot that kids need to know about animal needs and also about the similarities and differences between various animals before they can be expected to understand this book and appreciate it as reality in an unusual situation, rather than as a fantasy where all animals get along all the time. Interspecies animal friendships are definitely real, but also fairly uncommon.
I recently approached this with a much older student. It was the second book of three that we looked at in terms of animal relationships and animal needs. I'm not sure if her had more to do with the age of the student or the approach to content, but she was able to connect it a lot better.
I would definitely recommend using this book as something beyond just a read aloud at any age. Students do need to know more about the science and possibility behind this kind of relationship before it can be believable. Compared to Owen and Mzee, it's different because it's a human-influenced or induced friendship between animals of a species that wouldn't usually interact.
As an aside, with all of these animal friendships books, I would be interested in knowing more about the conditions that could cause animals to build up this sort of relationship with a member of another species in the wild.
Once again, a little upset at the lack of any further information beyond what's provided in the book.
I really do love animal friendships, and the story in Tiger Pups honestly amazes me. Three tiger cubs are stranded by their mother after day one. They live in a wildlife sanctuary, and the owners take them in. What surprises me is that the dog and the tigers adapt to each other so easily, and the dog is actually able to nurse the tigers. I guess theoretically it makes sense since the tigers are about the size of large puppies, but to me it seems like the Harveys took a big gamble. How did they know it would work? And would it technically work with any mammal of similar sizes? Lots to think about here.
I first read this multiple times with a kid who wanted to read it over and over again when I was working with a program with him in middle school. He was probably five or six at the time, and I can't even remember what the appeal for this book was for him. I don't know if I even asked at the time (I had no idea about any of the things I know now related to learning to read, I'll repeat I was in middle school).
I remembered this book again with another student who was a similar age this past spring, but she definitely struggled with it. I'm not sure if it was because she had preconceived ideas that dogs and tigers would hurt each other. Perhaps Tiger Pups is a book that involves more preteaching and providing background knowledge if I were to use it with a class of younger students. I feel like there is a lot that kids need to know about animal needs and also about the similarities and differences between various animals before they can be expected to understand this book and appreciate it as reality in an unusual situation, rather than as a fantasy where all animals get along all the time. Interspecies animal friendships are definitely real, but also fairly uncommon.
I recently approached this with a much older student. It was the second book of three that we looked at in terms of animal relationships and animal needs. I'm not sure if her had more to do with the age of the student or the approach to content, but she was able to connect it a lot better.
I would definitely recommend using this book as something beyond just a read aloud at any age. Students do need to know more about the science and possibility behind this kind of relationship before it can be believable. Compared to Owen and Mzee, it's different because it's a human-influenced or induced friendship between animals of a species that wouldn't usually interact.
As an aside, with all of these animal friendships books, I would be interested in knowing more about the conditions that could cause animals to build up this sort of relationship with a member of another species in the wild.
Once again, a little upset at the lack of any further information beyond what's provided in the book.
March 18, 2012
This is a sweet story about a family who owns a wildlife park and their successful attempts to nurse three white Bengal tiger cubs whose mother abandoned them. The family's golden retriever, Isabella, nursed the pups, supplemented by bottles and other foods as the cubs grew. The narrative is short, informative and heartwarming and the photographs of the baby tigers are adorable. We loved that the whole family helped these little creatures and they were indeed part of the family (at least while they were babies!) We read the introduction by the Hatkoff family and discussed how these true stories came to be made into books. Overall, we really enjoyed reading this story and our girls love stories like this.
August 16, 2019
I want to know more. I did find the zoo website, but it just shows a few more pics of the tiger teens. That was years ago. What are they up to now?
January 9, 2013
(Mommy's review from 3/12)
There is nothing and no one on this entire earth more fascinating than animals. That this story is true is nothing short of amazing. Yet I'm not shocked. I would totally expect this from an animal. What I wouldn't expect it from is a human.
The forward, by Craig Hatkoff is actually one that kids will enjoy reading/listening to. (Don't think they're all like that just because they're in a children's book.) Julia didn't zone out like I expected her too.
I have to wonder if the children - and the adults - involved with these animals know how lucky they are? They must. They just have to. What I wouldn't give to bottle feed a tiger pup.
The photos of Isabella and those pups are stunning. I was choked up a number of times, wondering why we can't be more like these selfless animals. There's one photos of Isabella laying on a couch with the pups sitting and laying on her back and at her bottom. She's so poised, actually regal looking, like there's nothing in the world amiss here. Yet the pups aren't Golden's. They're tigers.
Seeing those pups nurse from a happy Isabelle is like nothing I've ever seen before. Julia's eyes were wide open, not missing a thing, taking every word and picture in. And I was the same.
Seeing Isabella's puppy, Sadie, playing with these adopted pups was just as amazing. There was no strangeness, they're all the same in their eyes.
I'd love to take Julia to a safari or zoo park like this one day. She'd never forget it no matter what. Hell, I'd never forget it no matter what.
This isn't just for kids. Sure it's packaged for children but IMO it's much more for adults. We can take away a hell of a lot more than any child I know can. They're getting an awesomely sweet story about cool animals. Think of what adults can get from this story.
There is nothing and no one on this entire earth more fascinating than animals. That this story is true is nothing short of amazing. Yet I'm not shocked. I would totally expect this from an animal. What I wouldn't expect it from is a human.
The forward, by Craig Hatkoff is actually one that kids will enjoy reading/listening to. (Don't think they're all like that just because they're in a children's book.) Julia didn't zone out like I expected her too.
I have to wonder if the children - and the adults - involved with these animals know how lucky they are? They must. They just have to. What I wouldn't give to bottle feed a tiger pup.
The photos of Isabella and those pups are stunning. I was choked up a number of times, wondering why we can't be more like these selfless animals. There's one photos of Isabella laying on a couch with the pups sitting and laying on her back and at her bottom. She's so poised, actually regal looking, like there's nothing in the world amiss here. Yet the pups aren't Golden's. They're tigers.
Seeing those pups nurse from a happy Isabelle is like nothing I've ever seen before. Julia's eyes were wide open, not missing a thing, taking every word and picture in. And I was the same.
Seeing Isabella's puppy, Sadie, playing with these adopted pups was just as amazing. There was no strangeness, they're all the same in their eyes.
I'd love to take Julia to a safari or zoo park like this one day. She'd never forget it no matter what. Hell, I'd never forget it no matter what.
This isn't just for kids. Sure it's packaged for children but IMO it's much more for adults. We can take away a hell of a lot more than any child I know can. They're getting an awesomely sweet story about cool animals. Think of what adults can get from this story.
October 5, 2011
In a zoo in Kansas, i white tiger gives birth to 3 small cubs. But after the first night their mother abandons them. The owners take these cubs home to take care of them. At home lives a new mother golden retriever. The cubs take to her and she allows them to nurse. The owners of the zoo keep these cubs at home as they grow up. They grow, play, eat and learn about the world.
I believe this book is meant for primary age range. This book is very easy to read and understand. It also has simple vocabulary.
The artistic element in this book is real photographs. This book is filled with real life photographs of the cubs in everyday life.
I recommend this book. It is such a cute story about how humans and a mother dog steps up to care for three baby cubs.
I believe this book is meant for primary age range. This book is very easy to read and understand. It also has simple vocabulary.
The artistic element in this book is real photographs. This book is filled with real life photographs of the cubs in everyday life.
I recommend this book. It is such a cute story about how humans and a mother dog steps up to care for three baby cubs.
August 20, 2010
Authors of the book TIGER PUPS Tom and Allie are also owners of a wildlife park. After noticing that a mother tiger is not caring for her newborn cubs enough, Tom and Allie take all three cubs home to care for them. Tom and Allie then share their memorable experience in how their dog Isabella helps in caring for the cubs.
The photos are absolutely precious of the baby tiger cubs and add so much to the storyline! This one will definitely be added to my library collection.
The photos are absolutely precious of the baby tiger cubs and add so much to the storyline! This one will definitely be added to my library collection.
January 9, 2014
A wonderfully sentimental story about a dog's ability to love other creatures, three cute tigers cubs, and the people who cared for them. Unfortunately the book does not do it the greatest justice.
It does not have the best writing, nor is it most conclusive, as it only relates to the tigers' early years. Also the setup is more like a photo album rather than relating to the words, but their are some very cute pictures.
It does not have the best writing, nor is it most conclusive, as it only relates to the tigers' early years. Also the setup is more like a photo album rather than relating to the words, but their are some very cute pictures.
March 27, 2010
Very cute children's book! A true story about a couple and a golden retriever, Isabella, who raise three tiger cubs abandoned by their mother (the golden nurses them as if they were her own, hense the name 'tiger pups'). Minimal text and numerous colorful pictures will make this book appealing to young children...and to animal lovers of all ages!
May 17, 2010
This book made me squeal. Pictures of baby tigers! Baby tigers playing! baby tigers crying! Baby tigers eating! The photos are adorable and the story is sweet - a mama retriever nurses three baby tigers who were abandoned by their mother. Very, very cute!
May 23, 2010
Nasira, Anjika, and Sidani are the tiger pups. Seeing them with a golden retriever is a rare sight. It is unique seeing the pups in a laundry basket or getting a bath is also unique. After 11 weeks, the pups move outdoors.
January 10, 2015
The photos in this book are awesome. Made me think of Mother to Tigers, a biography about the woman who created the first zoo for infant animals.
February 3, 2016
The writing is for small children but the pictures are SO cute and great for any age.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews