THE SONG OF THE STONE TIGER

In this heartwarming adventure story, McCarty takes readers on a modern-day romp in the woods of Boone, North Carolina. Ten-year-old Thomas has come with his family, who present white, to stay near Canaan Woods with Aunt Cecilia, a painter, in the home she and his mom grew up in. It’s a chance for Mom, who’s in remission from cancer, to recuperate. Through his mother’s stories and his visits to the woods, Thomas finds a world full of fairies, trolls, and, most importantly, a stone tiger. Thomas’ singing brings the tiger to life, and the two develop a bond. The relationship between Thomas and his mother, who suffers a setback in her health, centers on stories and the loss of imagination as we grow older. Mom’s tales of Greenwood, the name she and Aunt Cecilia gave the woods as children, are interspersed throughout. Although long-winded details bog down the text, the work features a lovely blend of reality mixed with the fantastical, keeping readers grounded while embracing whimsy. The writing style and treatment of the painful subject of parental mortality make this work suited for younger readers. McCarty supports childhood independence in his depiction of Thomas, who’s allowed the space to roam and experience his emotions.