|
When You Trap a Tiger
Last updated Sunday, May 23, 2021
Author: Tae Keller
Date of Publication: 2020
ISBN: 1524715700
Grade Level: 5th (GLCs: Click here for grade level guidelines.)
Date(s) Used: May 2021
Synopsis:
When Lily and her family move in with her sick grandmother, a magical tiger straight out of her halmoni's Korean folktales arrives, prompting Lily to unravel a secret family history. Long, long ago, Halmoni stole something from the tigers. Now they want it back. And when one of the tigers approaches Lily with a deal - return what her grandmother stole in exchange for Halmoni's health - Lily is tempted to agree. But deals with tigers are never what they seem! With the help of her sister and her new friend Ricky, Lily must find her voice... and the courage to face a tiger.
| Note to readers: |
| • |
The tiger (호랑이, horang-i) plays a significant part in Korean culture. Historically, the tiger has been linked with Korea from the beginning. The tiger is strongly associated with Korean culture and is seen as representative to the identity of Koreans. Tigers in Korea are a symbol of strength and power and often seen as the guardian spirit and protector of the Korean people. Tigers are often featured in many Korean folktales and stories. Some people even comment that the Korean peninsula itself resembles a tiger waiting to pounce!
|
| • |
We can see the importance of the tiger in its selection as Korea’s mascot whenever they showcase the country on a worldwide scale. When Seoul hosted the 1988 Olympics ‘Hodori the tiger’ was a popular figure. The white tiger (백호 baek-ho) in particular is historically revered in Korean society and was used as the symbol for the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang.
|
| • |
The tiger is a popular subject of art and paintings in Korea. Through these works you can see evidence of the tiger’s significance and sacred standing in Korean society throughout history.
|
| • |
Although occasional rumors persist about sightings of tigers in the DMZ (demilitarized zone) you will of course not encounter wild tigers in Korea today. However, in the past, tigers roamed freely around the Korean peninsula. Tigers coming down from the mountains were a very real and significant threat to people living in Korea. Naturally this has led to many tales giving various warnings and morals about interactions with tigers. It is in these stories that the tale of the tiger’s place in Korea has most been documented.
|
| • |
Tigers in Korean folktales
|
| • |
The tiger is so synonymously tied with Korea and its history that many folktales will begin with the phrase ‘호랑이 담배 피우던 시절’ (in the time when tigers smoked – a long long time ago).
|
| • |
It is often how animals are depicted in our children’s stories and folktales that stick with us the most. More so than other forms of media, these stories are remembered and passed down from generation to generation. For example, those from the west usually base their judgement of an animal’s character from Aesop’s fables. The fox is crafty, the ant hardworking, the turtle does things slowly and carefully.
|
| • |
What of the tiger? Aesop and his counterparts in the west never really talked about such a creature. Tigers in Korean folktales are often the main characters. What characteristics does the tiger tend to display?
|
| Discussion topics for before reading: |
| • |
Looking at the picture and the title, hat do you think this story is about?
|
| • |
This is a story about two Korean-American kids and their mother and their sick grandmother, whom they call Halmoni.
|
| • |
What kinds of things make you different from your brother(s) or sister(s) or cousins? Are there quiet ones and loud ones in your family? Ones who are bossy and ones who are obedient?
|
| • |
if a tiger was chasing you would you run or would you face it?
Vocabulary
|
| • |
Halmoni (Korean) - grandmother, a title for a venerated ancestor goddess, embodied as a wise crone goddess.
|
| Discussion topics for during/after reading: |
| • |
Lilly's "superpower" is invisitbility. If you had a superpower, what would it be?
|
| • |
Where do you go to visit relatives? How do you travel to get there?
|
| • |
Tigers in Korean folktales are often the main characters. What characteristics does the tiger tend to display?
|
| • |
If you get to the end of the pdf: Who/what is the monster at the end?
|
| • |
What do you think happens next?
|
| Special activities: |
| • |
The Art of Storytelling. From the time they were little, Lily and her sister Sam were mesmerized by Halmoni’s stories and begged her to tell them more stories. Have students tell a favorite fairy tale, family story, or a story they’ve written themselves. To help them tell their story, use a graphic organizer that helps them plot out the structure, such as problem-action-solution or challenge-strategy-ending.
|
| • |
Family Stories and Folklore. The stories and folklore that Halmoni tells shape so much of Lily’s understanding of the world and the events of the novel, so much that Lily uses them to find peace and hope for the future. What cultural and generational stories circulate within your students’ families? Invite students to share them via storytelling,
|
*Note: These craft ideas are just suggestions.
You can use them, but you don't have to use them.
You can expand upon them, or add your own twist.
Remember, though, that the focus of your time should
not be on the development and execution of a craft;
the focus should be on the read-aloud and the
enjoyment of the book!
|
