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Original poster

the tiger who came to tea

154 replies

codswallop · 12/07/2004 21:52

evry time I read htat i wonder

  1. has ht emother tripped out and gone mad?
  2. is she too idle to cook?
  3. is she an old alcy who dramnk all the beer herself?
  4. Is it a total fabrication to justify going out for tea?
OP posts:
FluffyMummy123 · 26/06/2007 17:17

Message withdrawn

catnip · 07/07/2007 22:53

I LOVE Judith Kerr, never realised when I was a child, that TTWCTT, Mog and When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit were by the same person, but adored all of them. My mum read them all to me, and I bought her Goodbye Mog when it was published a couple of years ago. I read an interview with Judith Kerr in which said she wrote it because she knew her years were numbered and wanted to leave something which would make sense of her death to her grandchildren. Anyway, it is one of the most moving books ever. Both the first and last pages are heart breaking.

catnip · 07/07/2007 22:54

Actually, I read When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit myself, and the sequel, can't remember what it was called, had some stuff in it that was a little bit sexy and I remember being embarrassed to think that she would know I had read it

PeachesMcLean · 07/07/2007 23:05

I hate you all for over-analysing this book. It's all wide eyed and innocent/naughty and dated and sweet and I think you should all leave it alone.

It's a big tin of tiger food because they think he might come back, and well it would be rude to have nothing for your guests.. duh?

Goodbye.... goodbyee......

TwoIfBySea · 08/07/2007 22:39

When I first saw Goodbye Mog, in Jenners Edinburgh as well which is not a usual haunt, I actually said out loud "Oh no, Mog's dead!" Much to the amusement of the staff and other customers, but I was genuinely upset!

I loved Mog's Christmas just as much as The Tiger Who Came To Tea. Her stories had such a wonderful cosiness to them, even when poor Mog is stuck on top of the roof refusing to come down.

I bought dts a collection of Mog stories, still have all my old books too, including TTWCTT and love reading them more than some modern stuff.

MadamePlatypus · 08/07/2007 22:45

We had 'milkman' orange, because apparently supermarkets didn't sell orange juice.

This was my favourite book as a child, really because of the line that marthamoo quotes.

MadamePlatypus · 08/07/2007 22:47

Now I also love it because they sit down and have proper tea with a teapot. It reminds me of visiting grannies and great aunts.

MadamePlatypus · 08/07/2007 22:47

Would just like to add that we do use a teapot, but don't do the whole cups and saucers bit.

CountessDracula · 08/07/2007 22:51

I love htis book

dh hired a tiger suit and I read it out at dd's 4th birthday party

As it says "the doorbell rang" he rang it and they all rushed to the door, there was an audible GASP as he came in and demolished the remainder of the bday tea

(I heard one of them whisper "do you think that is babydrac's daddy" and it went roudn the table like wildfire

Kathyis6incheshigh · 09/07/2007 10:45

LOLOL CountessDrac.
Did he drink all daddy's beer, all mummy's gin, take all the sedatives, etc. as well?

CountessDracula · 09/07/2007 11:19

He pretended to drink beer, all water out of tap, clean out fridge etc

It really was great
it took dd ages to realise it was her dad as he had his face painted too!

catnip · 09/07/2007 12:18

That sounds absolutely brilliant!

edam · 09/07/2007 12:24

Love the birthday party, CD, what a fab idea. I enjoy the nostagia, the idea of having boys on bikes who deliver from your local shop (I know we've got Ocado but it's Not The Same).

FluffyMummy123 · 10/07/2007 13:57

Message withdrawn

Tatties · 19/07/2007 22:31

God yes, Sophie's mummy has definitely got something going on. I just LOVE the way Daddy comes in all easy going and doesn't make a fuss. Love it

ellasmum1 · 19/07/2007 22:33

I adore reading this too, always try and persuade dd to pick this at bedtime. So comforting and innocent.dd is always a bit disappointed by the end though, that he never returns!

southeastastra · 19/07/2007 22:34

it's a lovely book. sophie's daddy is a beatnik isn't he

FluffyMummy123 · 20/07/2008 21:12

Message withdrawn

AbbeyA · 20/07/2008 21:19

I think that I could tell it without the words-I know it so well!

noonki · 20/07/2008 21:24

owp!

FabioTheWhisperingCat · 20/07/2008 21:26

I'm very frightened of tigers.

RustyBear · 20/07/2008 21:26

Weird - this thread was started in July 04, revived in July 07 & now TTWCTT has come up again in July 08 - obviously July is Tiger Time on MN.

noonki · 20/07/2008 21:26

I always feel a little bit sorry for her mummy that her life is so predictable that no one else could knock on the door...

but then am amazed at how unfazed she that it is not some unannounced friend or a neighbour asking for sugar but a huge and very suave tiger

rosmerta · 20/07/2008 21:46

My ds loves this book, we can often hear him retelling bits to his teddies in bed!

Must admit, I'm really naive though, just thought it was an innocent story, nothing to do with Germany

Btw, if you're in London, Richmond theatre are putting on a play of it in October.

FlossieTCake · 22/07/2008 01:09

OMG.

Still have not forgotten the English class when I was 13 when our teacher decided to take on TTWCTT as "anti-feminist" (because Sophie's mummy cannot stand up to the tiger, and does not know how to resolve the situation until clever Daddy comes home and suggests the cafe.)

Boy, was he ever sorry he'd decided to make the jump from primary to secondary.

I can still practically taste those sausages.....

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