This book is one of my favorite Reading Rainbow titles: a tear-jerky sweet story of a family under stress and a boy who wants a dog. And I love the perfectly simple, understated pencil illustrations by Trina Schart Hyman.
[Tight Times -- 10/10/07]

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Product Description

A small boy, not allowed to have a dog because times are tight, finds a starving kitten in a trash can on the same day his father loses his job.

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Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #87591 in Books
• Published on: 1983-07-11
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 32 pages

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Customer Reviews

A Very Touching Book
I cried when I read this story. That doesn't happen very often to me while reading a children's book, but Tight Times is so sweet that I was very moved. The story is about a small family doing their best to cope despite their financial troubles. The parents are worried and feel bad for their son. Seeing their child do without is so much harder on them than their own deprivation. It was gratifying that the little boy found a way to get a pet after all. The little family is filled with such a stong love that the reader knows that somehow things will turn out well for them, despite their problems. The artwork is excellent. In particular, the drawing of the mother and father hugging their son says more than words ever could. I just love this book and recommend it for any family, whether having "tight times" or not.

Sweet story and realistic.
This is a sweet story about a family that experiences financial troubles. I actually purchased and used it to help my high school students with inferencing - it worked well.

Great book!
I love to use this book to teach kids how to make inferences while reading. It's a fabulous book!