Title: Tails

Author: Matthew Van Fleet
Publisher: http://www.harcourtbooks.com
Awards: #1 New York Times Children’s Bestseller, Over 100 Weeks on the New York Times Children’s Bestseller List, American Booksellers Association Bestseller, Publishers Weekly Children’s Bestseller, Parent’s Guide to Children’s Media Award Activity book category and Parenting Picks, books ages 1 to 3.
Publication Date: 2003
Genre: Interactive Concept Book, Math, Opposites, Animals
Audience: Gr. Pre-K-2

Overview: Tails has it all for the early reader. Although it is a board book, it is more of an interactive tactile book full of alliteration, opposites and counting. The story has a rhythm that makes it fun to read and to share. The artwork encourages children to touch the textured panels, pull the tabs, and watch the movement. Tails is a delight to young and old.

Activity: Make a basket full of different types of textured fabrics and material. Let the group choose from the basket and create a tail for an imaginary animal. Let each person present their tail to the group and describe the imaginary animal who would wear that tail. What would it look like? Sound like? Eat? …

Reviewer’s Name: Darby Hewes