Tiger Wild by Gwen Millward (review)

Millward, Gwen Tiger Wild; written and illus. by Gwen Millward. Viking, 2020 [32p] Trade ed. ISBN 9780593118153 $17.99 E-book ed. ISBN 9780593202043 $10.99 Reviewed from galleys R 3-6 yrs

Lily's imaginary tiger friend is responsible for all sorts of mischief in her home, from painting all over the couch, to eating all the cupcakes, to unraveling the knitting yarn of Lily's older sister, Penny. Sick of being sent to his room, Tiger suggests that Lily run away with him; at first, the two revel in the wild, but after Lily deals with Tiger's rough edges up close, she realizes that she doesn't always like being so wild and bolts, eventually running back to Penny. This UK import offers a straightforward metaphor for Lily's more destructive habits as she blames imaginary Tiger for her mistakes rather than recognizing her own capacity for being both "roarsome and wild" and "quiet and still." In childlike crayon drawings, Lily's hair is a thick cape flying behind her small body, and Tiger's exaggerated size (but friendly stripes) adequately represents Lily's larger-than-life feelings. This book would be a good reminder for any kiddo who likes to pawn off responsibility that wild can still be fun in the right doses.