Tigger and Jasper are two little kittens living on a noisy farm. They wait patiently to find a forever home, just like their brothers and sisters have. One day, they are collected by a man in a ‘big scary truck’ who takes them to the home of their new owner, a caring and gentle lady called Christie. The kittens soon feel at home with Christie, and they have lots of fun exploring her house and getting into mischief. Towards the end of the story, the kittens first realise that Christie’s ‘eyes don’t work’. Tigger pats her eyes with her paw, and Christie senses that the kittens know that she is blind. As the three new friends snuggle up in one big bed, Tigger decides to care for Christie just like she cares for her and Jasper. She realises why Christie is so special: she loves her and her sister.
Tigger and Jasper’s New Home
Some young children may assume that a blind person would be unable to do many things without help. This entertaining story portrays a blind woman who does many things for herself (she plays and teaches the piano, plays ball with the kittens, hangs up and sorts clothes and rescues the kittens from the bath tub and the fridge when their curiosity gets the better of them!). Tigger and Jasper feel safe and nurtured in her care. The most apparent thing about Christie is not her blindness, but her love and kindness. The important message that people should not be defined by their disabilities rings out in this picture book.
Michael Le Blanc's child-like illustrations may appear a little on the clunky side to adults, but our young readers found them very appealing and enjoyed pointing out the kitten's antics in the pictures.
Suggested questions to ask young children: "How do you think you could help a person like Christie, and how do you think they could help you?"