Picture book of the month

This month, we're delighted to feature an uplifting and inspiring tale of ballet and friendship from a talented author and illustrator. Tiger in a Tutu is the brilliant debut from Fabi Santiago.

Set in Paris, with a dancing tiger as the star, this is a beautiful story about following your dreams and pursuing your talent no matter what. Max isn't like other tigers - he is a tiger with a dream! He longs to pirouette and plié, to leap and spin. He wants to be a dazzling dancer, shining on the stage. 

From a new artistic talent whose work will appeal to fans of Miroslav Sasek and James Mayhew, this is a bold and courageous story about self-belief and determination.

"Little dancers will love to see Max triumph and get his moment in the spotlight. A lovely story." Parents In Touch

"It's a sweet tale of following your dreams and being determined to succeed, but it's also a story of friendship and what can be achieved when you are not alone. This is Brazilian Fabi's debut book, and she looks set to have a bright future." Nottingham Post

"The saga of Max and his determination to get on the stage reads something like a fun version of Billy Elliot...engagingly romantic." The Independent

"Tiger Max will, without doubt, inspire young readers to have the courage to take centre stage." Little London 

Fabi Santiago was born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and has been making pictures ever since she could hold her first crayon. After studying art and design, Fabi went travelling and came across the MA in Children's Book Illustration at the Cambridge School of Art, graduating in 2014. Fabi's illustrations are full of movement and bold limited colours, and her media of choice is screen printing. She likes the outdoors, cycling, dance and theatre, all of which are inspiration for her stories. Fabi lives in London with her ginger fellow and her cat, Porridge.

Tiger in a Tutu is published by Hachette Children's Group and is available online and from all good booksellers. And we have 50 gorgeous copies to give away! See below on how to enter.