The Tiger and the Crane

4/5 - IndieReader:
"When a wise crane brings an abandoned baby tiger to his village of herbivores, resistance culminates in a lesson about compassion and community. A charming story for young readers with well-rounded characters and endearing humor"

5/5 - NetGalley:
"...this is the most darling book about animals that I have ever read. The illustrations were pure beauty and the words were so fun! 

"An engaging story with the most beautiful illustrations about a crane who takes a young tiger underwing to train him to defend their village... A delight for readers young and old!"

"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."

Set in the 19th century, as China’s Qing Dynasty grapples with the tides of imperialism, a southwestern forest turns into a hunting ground between native animals and foreign hunters. Mung, a humble crane, adopts an orphaned tiger cub to raise as the village defender. This bold decision divides his community, sparking fear and straining relationships. To succeed, Mung is forced to secretly conceal the tiger cub’s true identity from the cub himself. The animal village must contend with its decisions as they challenge the very concepts of identity, leadership, and community amidst their ongoing struggles. From teacher and author Trevor B. Spisto comes a charming and lively novel about the challenges and growth that arise from confronting threats and change.