Why am I passionate about this?

I’m a children’s book author and illustrator and I have a special fondness for picture books. They’re often a child’s first experience of reading — or being read to, and that’s such a magical time! I still remember my favourite picture books as a child. I’m also a crazy cat person and I love all cats, big and small. My first picture book, Tiger in a Tutu, is about a tiger who lives in Paris Zoo but wants to be a ballet dancer. I made a small list of my favourite tiger picture books for you. I hope you enjoy it.


I wrote

Tiger in a Tutu

By Fabi Santiago ,

Book cover of Tiger in a Tutu

What is my book about?

Max lives a life of luxury in Paris Zoo. But Max isn't like the other tigers -- he's a tiger…

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The books I picked & why

Book cover of Little Tigers

Fabi Santiago Why I love this book

Little Tigers tells the story of a mom tiger and her cubs searching for a new safe place to live. It’s a simple story about animals and survival, but it serves as a metaphor for humans too; when the place where we live isn’t safe anymore, don’t we seek refuge in a new home too? This book is perfect in every way, and Jo’s charcoal illustrations are just magical.

By Jo Weaver ,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Little Tigers as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 1, 2, 3, and 4.

What is this book about?

Told through the eyes of a tiger and her two cubs, this beautiful book is a celebration of the love between parent and child, and the wonders of the natural world.

There are humans in the jungle... So Mother Tiger and her cubs need to leave their den. Follow them on their journey through the deepest parts of the jungle, exploring its secret places, in search of somewhere warm and dry to lay their heads. A safe place. A new home.

With evocative charcoal drawings and gentle, lyrical storytelling, Little Tigers has the feel of an instant classic. Perfect for…


Book cover of Mr. Tiger Goes Wild

Fabi Santiago Why I love this book

This is one of those books you fall in love with at first sight. The story speaks to adults as well as children, who’ll connect with Mr. Tiger’s desire to run free and go wild. The illustrations are brilliant and the colour palette changes as Mr. Tiger goes from a “proper” civilised animal in a hat and suit to a roaring tiger, prancing naked in the wilderness.

By Peter Brown ,

Why should I read it?

3 authors picked Mr. Tiger Goes Wild as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Mr. Tiger lived a perfectly proper life in a perfectly proper city. And everything was perfectly fine...until the day he had a wonderfully wild idea! Why choose to stay in the stuffy city when there is a whole wide world of wilderness and wildness to explore? So Mr. Tiger bounds off on an adventure to discover where he really belongs. From beloved author Peter Brown and using a brand-new art style, Mr. Tiger Goes Wild shows us that there's a time and place for everything. Even going wild.


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Book cover of The Time-Jinx Twins

The Time-Jinx Twins by Carol Fisher Saller,

Twelve-year-old identical twins Ellie and Kat accidentally trigger their physicist mom’s unfinished time machine, launching themselves into a high-stakes adventure in 1970 Chicago. If they learn how to join forces and keep time travel out of the wrong hands, they might be able find a way home. Ellie’s gymnastics and…

Book cover of Tiger

Fabi Santiago Why I love this book

Tiger isn’t a tiger. He’s a kitten. But he likes to pretend he’s a real tiger. This is such a delightful story and Tiger is the cutest and most adorable character. it’s impossible not to love him and smile at his efforts to feel all grown-up.

By Nick Butterworth ,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Tiger as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

An adorable new toddler character from the creator of Percy the Park Keeper

Tiger isn't a real tiger. He's a kitten. But sometimes when he plays he pretends to be a real Tiger.

Children won't be able to resist joining in the fun asTiger as runs, creeps, snarls and sleeps... just like a real tiger!


Book cover of There's a Tiger in the Garden

Fabi Santiago Why I love this book

This is a beautiful book that encourages children to use their own imagination. It tells the story of a little girl, Nora, who explores her grandma’s garden  — and her imagination, to look for a tiger that supposedly lives there. The illustrations are colourful and detailed and hold hidden clues for the younger readers to look for.

By Lizzy Stewart ,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked There's a Tiger in the Garden as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 4, 5, 6, and 7.

What is this book about?

As read by Tom Hardy on CBeebies!
Winner of the Waterstones Children's Book Prize 2017, Illustrated Books Category.

When Grandma says she's seen a tiger in the garden, Nora doesn't believe her. She's too old to play Grandma's silly games! Everyone knows that tigers live in jungles, not gardens. So even when Nora sees butterflies with wings as big as her arm, and plants that try and eat her toy giraffe, and a polar bear that likes fishing, she knows there's absolutely, DEFINITELY no way there could be a tiger in the garden . . . Could there?

'A journey…


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Book cover of The Strange Case of Guaritori Diolco

The Strange Case of Guaritori Diolco by Bill Hiatt,

Guaritori awakens from a coma to find that he's lost twenty years--and his entire world.

Fiancée, family, and friends are all missing, perhaps dead. Technology has failed, and magic has risen, leaving society in ruins. Most survivors are at the mercy of anyone who has strong enough magic. Guaritori has…

Book cover of The Tiger Who Came to Tea

Fabi Santiago Why I love this book

Who doesn’t love this charming tiger? I’m a huge fan of Judith Kerr’s children’s books and her sweet and child-like illustrations, so I had to add this one to the list. It’s such a classic. My favourite thing is spotting Mog in the street when the family is on their way to the cafe.

By Judith Kerr ,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Tiger Who Came to Tea as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 3, 4, 5, and 6.

What is this book about?

READ BY GERALDINE MCEWAN. This classic story has been loved by millions of children since it was first published over 40 years ago.

The doorbell rings just as Sophie and her mummy are sitting down to tea. Who could it possibly be? What they certainly don't expect to see at the door is a big furry, stripy tiger!


Explore my book 😀

Tiger in a Tutu

By Fabi Santiago ,

Book cover of Tiger in a Tutu

What is my book about?

Max lives a life of luxury in Paris Zoo. But Max isn't like the other tigers -- he's a tiger with a dream!

Max longs to pirouette and plié, to leap and spin. He wants to be a dazzling dancer, shining on the stage! But will this tiger in a tutu get his moment in the spotlight? And will he ever find a friend to dance by his side? Set in Paris, with a dancing tiger as the star, Tiger in a Tutu is an uplifting tale of following your dreams and pursuing your talent, no matter what.

Book cover of Little Tigers
Book cover of Mr. Tiger Goes Wild
Book cover of Tiger

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Interested in tigers, cats, and grandparents?

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