About This Book
Reach for this book when your child is struggling to express deep emotions or is processing a significant loss. Rob Horton lives in a Florida motel with his grieving father and keeps his feelings locked away in a metaphorical suitcase. His world changes when he discovers a real tiger in a cage and meets a bold new friend named Sistine. This poetic story explores the heavy weight of grief and the bravery required to be vulnerable. While it features intense moments, it serves as a powerful tool for families looking to discuss how bottling up sadness can manifest in physical ways, like Rob's psychosomatic rash, and how friendship can help a healing heart open. It is a slim but emotionally dense novel best suited for children ages 8 to 12.
