The Tale of the Tiger Slippers

Ages 4 to 8, Grades P to 3

Jan Brett reimagines a powerful Middle Eastern folk tale that celebrates hard work and appreciating your roots.

Set in India, this gorgeous reimagining of the classic Middle Eastern folk tale “Abu Kassem’s Slippers” features a poor tiger cub who is a very hard worker. His mother weaves him slippers to protect his feet from stones and thorns, and they allowed him to prosper—first making bricks, then building houses, and eventually becoming very wealthy.

He continues to wear them until someone questions why such a prominent person would wear such worn shoes.

Feeling embarrassed, Tiger tries to get rid of the slippers, but fate keeps bringing them back.

Finally, Tiger sends them to his uncle, who weeps with pride when he sees the slippers his sister made and his nephew used to accomplish so much. He sets off right away to visit them, bringing the slippers along.

Tiger can’t believe the slippers are back again, but his little cub gives him an idea: honor the slippers by building a special place for them, to remind him of how far he’s come.

Jan Brett’s lush, vibrant version of this story will inspire fans of her international retellings to appreciate the hard work that leads to all of their successes.