Camp Tiger

Reach for this book when your child is standing on the threshold of a big transition, such as moving from preschool to kindergarten or finishing a beloved summer season. It speaks to the bittersweet ache of outgrowing one stage of life while feeling not quite ready for the next. Through a magical camping trip where a boy befriends a talking tiger, the story honors a child's desire to stay small while gently nudging them toward the independence of being a big kid. Susan Choi captures the specific sensory details of nature and family rituals, making the emotional stakes feel grounded and real. While the tiger might be a figment of imagination or a touch of magical realism, its presence provides the quiet courage the protagonist needs to trade his plastic shovel for a real one. It is a masterful choice for children who struggle with anxiety surrounding new expectations or those who find comfort in the wild, untamed corners of their own minds.