Malty the Blue Tiger (Maddie la tigresse bleue)

Malty the Blue Tiger (Maddie la tigresse bleue) is a dual language children’s book that makes practicing French vocabulary easy for both new learners and bilingual families. This charming bilingual book provides a much-needed English and French resource in the children’s book space, featuring color-coded vocabulary words, an illustrated glossary, and an informational section about blue tigers in both English and French. It is rich in sight words and repeated phrases for easy learning, and teaches categorizing skills, spatial vocabulary, counting, colors, animal names and sounds, sentence structure and rhyming, and important social lessons. The story stars a female protagonist named Malty, a blue tiger who goes on a journey to make new friends — only to be criticized for the sound of her roar along the way. Yearning to fit in, she attempts to mimic every character she meets: yellow birds, purple monkeys, and even a red truck. It is only when she is lost and alone that she discovers her true sound, and her true identity, are what will help her reach her destination. This tale stresses the importance of diversity and staying true to what makes you one-of-a-kind. Malty the Blue Tiger books can be found in homes and classrooms around the world, including those in the United States, Europe, and Asia. They have also been used by Albuquerque Public Schools as a statewide training tool for teachers. Amazon reviewers have called the Spanish edition of the book “a delightful read for both children and adults alike” and “the very special children’s book the world needs today.”