Little Black Sambo

First published in 1899, this picture book tells the story of Little Black Sambo, a young boy who finds himself surrounded by hungry tigers in the jungle. Armed with nothing but his wits and his beautiful new clothes, Sambo cleverly negotiates with each tiger, trading his red coat, blue trousers, and purple shoes in exchange for his freedom. When the vain tigers begin fighting over their new finery, they chase each other around a tree until they melt into a pool of butter, a resolution as absurd as it is unexpected. Sambo's father collects the butter to make pancakes, and the family gathers for a joyous feast of 169 pancakes. The story has been beloved by generations of children for its playful language, repetition, and satisfying circular narrative, though modern readers will find its racial imagery and the use of a slur deeply troubling.