Tetri, Emily. Tiger vs. Nightmare. Emily Tetri, Illus. Graphic. First Second, 11/2018. 64pp. $17.99. 978-1-62672-535-5. OUTSTANDING. GRADES 1-3.
Instead of an adversarial relationship, a small tiger forges a tight friendship with the monster under the bed who shares her love of curry, tacos, and board games. Monster keeps watch each night to easily fend off Tiger’s nightmares until a particularly strong and frightful one appears. Tiger and her monster devise various tactics that unsuccessfully keep the nightmare at bay until they realize that Tiger has the key to defeat the nightmare. Tetris’ watercolor illustrations infuse much personality into the characters and convey their various emotive states. Panels and spreads set in the evening when the nightmare appears are washed with dark grays in contrast to the bright yellows and greens of the day aptly depicting the real way that night can elevate fear. It’s an enthralling story of discovering courage and how conquering fear can take more than one try.
Catherine Pyun, Oakland Public Library/Belvedere Tiburon Library