Is The Tiger Who Came To Tea really sexist?

RACHEL ADAMSON of Zero Tolerance, a Scottish charity working to end male violence against women, has claimed the children’s story The Tiger Who Came To Tea is a gender stereotypical story that could lead to rape and abuse (Mail). This type of silly hype trivialises the charity’s cause and does it no favours.

ANGUS LONG, Newcastle upon Tyne.

WHERE will this constant examination of harmless children’s rhymes and stories end? Perhaps The Three Little Pigs could be used by health and safety officers to highlight the stupidity of choosing unsafe building materials; Sing A Song Of Sixpence will be derided for animal cruelty by baking live blackbirds; and will it be seen as sexist that a woodchopper saves Little Red Riding Hood?

ANNE SAUNDERS, Grays, Essex.

SHALL we deride pie-eating Desperate Dan and berate Billy Bunter while Charles Dickens’s Oliver will get off lightly? Rachel Adamson suggests The Tiger Who Came To Tea could help raise conversations in nurseries regarding gender inequality that may lead to violence and rape. Is there really a need to discuss such topics with the very young?

AMANDA YATES, Newcastle upon Tyne.

THIS joyful book was my children’s favourite and they can recite it word for word. Leave it alone!

M. STACEY, Weston-super-Mare, Somerset.

I’D HAVE thought that having a tiger loose in your house would be more likely to lead to violence against women and girls than gender stereotypes.

CLIVE WHICHELOW, London SW19

WE’VE never had a problem with any of the tigers who have visited us for tea. They have always been most appreciative of the effort my wife has made in providing cake and sandwiches, and in tidying the house.

NICK WOOTTON, Wallasey, Merseyside.