The story had promise and I enjoyed the allegorical story telling but overall I did not find it a great read.

An Allegory, an exemplum that symbolises Jungle book written with morals of Panchtantra.


What amazes me most is the simplicity of the writing of this book. Xingfu was more than just innocent and need true cuddling for the way it was presented. Since starting this novella gripped me and being a slow relaxed reader, I thought of it daily for when I would be relieved from my job hours and pick it back to read further and further. As far as you read, you realise it becomes more like a realistic work than just a fictitious work alone.

Each character was build so well that as a reader you do not find any conversation going away from the story-line. Mung, Meihui, Qingyang, Puyi and Yao were my most favorite after Xingfu. Story was set in the through back of Qing Dynasty imperialism but from the tongue of animals and not humans. This is another The Jungle Book in making with the blend of Tarzan of the Apes but the base to all such stories is पंचतन्त्र which further gave birth to Hitopadesa, Tales from the Kathasaritsagara, Jatak Katha: Jataka Tales - Classic Tales and Aesop's Fables.

Now, coming back to the story, this is about the upbringing of a tiger's cub who was left behind by his mother as the outcome of hunting. Mung, a crane took him on big leaf of a trees and flew back to the forest area which all living inhabitants called a village. There started the conflict of whether to keep this carnivorous animal with them or not. KU, a binturong or a bearcat was against keeping him since starting fearing his position of being a master of the village in future after Guan, a panda died. Mung took care of Xingfu very well but kept the secret to his real identity hidden to let him get its real nature come in face to face. An inevitable nature to kill for eating, to dominate. But circumstances fell in place as such that it demands Xingfu to leave the village against Mung's wish and few others. Meanwhile the horror that Mung had as premonition for hunter tend to become imminent. Mung's prudence who always was in place but Ku who was cunning with his power seeking thoughts blinded by the usefulness of a tiger against any human hunter. But till KU got to understand the gravity of Mung's decision it was so late and Xingfu wasn't there to save the villagers

What happen along the way and next to it till end, I suggest readers to my review to go ahead pick this book and enjoy every page of it. One thing however intrigued me for why Author chose background of China's forest from Qing Dynasty time and names of characters too? There would have been better Spanish names too if not Indian because Sir Rudyard Kipling already record in literature the jungles of India with Mowgli, an Indian jungle boy who used to co-live with animals and raised by pack of wolves. But to make a difference, the characters name would have been bit easy to understand as I happen to be forgetting who's which animal but only main characters.

This is indeed a novella focusing on the prime matters which usually matters more in human society as well. The human-like problematic matters based on someone's identity, their societal acceptance, leadership (its aura and power) and community to which one belongs. This tells a lot about the adaptation process where foster parents or foster children are to be matched in fine tuning with what life demands and not just one's bloodline.
I really would like to read more from Trevor and I wish is this book also could have been a paperback or hardcover instead of an e-book. Because Such are the stories that you would like to keep in your physical shelves forever.

This was originally created as a screenplay as an animated film, but when the pandemic arrived, the author decided to turn it into a book. After all, most people were stuck at home most of the time, and what better way to keep children entertained than by reading a book.

While this is a story for children, this story is sprinkled throughout with facts, blending historical facts with a story of animal families in the wild, and those who choose to hunt them down, especially the tiger in this story. But it isn’t just hunters that want to target the tiger, their community doesn’t feel safe with the tiger, even though he has never harmed anyone. The man who has raised the tiger since he was a cub is harassed by those who believe that the tiger is dangerous, even though the tiger has never attacked anyone or anything. If anything, the tiger has been very helpful.

A journey follows, which takes them away from the home they knew, wandering in the wilderness that they had never explored before, some moments of danger, and some moments of beauty, as well. When they eventually return to their community, will they be accepted or forced to leave?


Pub Date: 15 Oct 2024

Many thanks for the ARC provided by Monarex Hollywood Corporation / Monarex Hollywood

An engaging tale of overcoming prejudice and feeling like you fit in. Set in China’s 19th century Qing Dynasty, we follow Mung (a crane) and he saves an orphaned tiger cub Xingfu and raises him against the wishes of his fellow villages. Together they face many challenges as Xingfu grows until the other villagers prejudices become too much. They then learn that sometimes differences can be a strength of only they work together.
A beautifully written story filled with wonderful characters and great world building. The names may be a little challenging for younger readers but the handy terminology and pronunciation guide at the beginning of the book helps immensely.
Thank you NetGalley, Monarex Hollywood and Trevor Spisto for allowing me to read an advanced copy.

In The Tiger and the Crane, a group of animals work together to protect their village from light-furred hunters (humans) and blood eaters (animals that eat other animals). A panda named Guan is the village's master. When Guan is close to the end of his life, he gathers all of the animals and tells them it is time for him to leave. There are three possible candidates on hand to take over village duties: Mung a red-headed crane, Ku a binturong, or Qingyang a Tibetan macaque. Within the village, the three pupils have various responsibilities. A conversation between Guan and Mung, the red-crowned crane, occurs before he dies. Mung is comforted by Guan's assurance that one of the three will make an excellent successor and master. Mung's heart is anxious and he believes they will not survive without Guan. Mung receives many words of wisdom from Gaun. Gaun's words to Mung are, "To do is to learn; therefore, you must do. Solutions are not found by worrying." After Guan dies, the three animals take charge until the village animals decide who will be their new master. After hearing gunshots and smelling blood, Mung investigates. He finds the hunters and discovers that they have killed a mother lion. Taking the orphaned young tiger cub under his wing, Mung trains him to defend the village. Throughout the story, the village animals protect their homes through cooperative efforts.

The Crane and the Tiger is a fable that we should all read again and again and that, like all fables, hides an infinite number of teachings: love for yourself and your peers, the value of forgiveness, friendship, work...
But I am going to let each reader make this beautiful story their own and obtain from it the lessons that best apply to their personal situation.
Excellent story, highly recommended, not only to read it, but to put into practice the lessons that Xingfu, Mung and all the animals teach us.
I thank the author and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.
The opinion I have expressed above is based solely on what I think and feel about this book.

An engaging story with the most beautiful illustrations about a crane who takes a young tiger under wing to train him to defend their village. Set in 19th century during China’s Qing Dynasty. A delight for readers young and old!

My kids LOVE animal books and this is the most darling book about animals that I have ever read. The illustrations were pure beauty and the words were so fun! Such a fun story and a great concept.