Look who’s coming to York! A big, stripy tiger! Yes, it’s great news for fans of the classic Judith Kerr book, The Tiger Who Came to Tea: a new exhibition celebrating the work of one of Britain’s best-known children’s author–illustrators is coming to York Castle Museum this autumn.

From 10 September to 6th November 2022, The Tiger Who Came to Tea will fill York Castle Museum’s community space, exploring Kerr’s life and creations, and marking the 50th anniversary of the much-loved classic. The Tiger Who Came to Tea exhibition features high-quality facsimiles of Judith Kerr’s original illustrations from the Seven Stories collection and promises to bring this delightful book to life for a new generation of family audiences. As well as being able to see copies of original artwork, notes and sketches, children will enjoy stepping into Sophie’s kitchen to have tea with a life-size tiger! If the tiger has left anything in the teapot, that is…

To mark the arrival of this inspiring exhibition, York Castle Museum has teamed up with York-based Hoglets Theatre to offer a range of free family-friendly activities including early years interactive storytelling and story writing workshops for older children. With further opportunities to have Breakfast with the Tiger, there will be something for the whole family to enjoy, from nostalgic parents to children experiencing the book for the first time.

The Tiger Who Came to Tea exhibition runs at York Castle Museum from 10th September to 6th November 2022 – Visit the York Castle Museum website for details