What Do You Do With a Tail Like This?

 

Bibliography
Jenkins, Steve & Page, Robin, 2003. WHAT DO YOU DO WITH A TAIL LIKE THIS? New York, NY. ISBN 0439704154.

Plot Summary
Animals each have different noses, tails, ears, eyes, mouths, and feet. Each different body part helps animals adapt to life and survive in the wild. These animals are unique given the different ways they use their bodies. Readers will be given the opportunity to learn about each animal, their body characteristics, and even more information on how each part helps the animal navigate life. 

Critical Analysis
The illustrations of each animal contains such delicate details, it's hard to take your eyes off of them. The animals look as though they are watercolor painted and are made of paper. They are an interesting paper textured art. Looking at these animals just invite readers to learn more information about them. The book begins with an introduction of animals having different body characteristics and engages readers to guess which part belongs to who and how they use them. On each page, it prompts readers to guess which animal has the body part, giving them only a clue. The next page will reveal the animal and share a fact about how the animal uses this body part. At the end of the book, there are more details given for each animal and body part shared in the books, along with their picture to match the animal. Young readers will have their attention captured by the illustrations and will have fun with the broken up text that is spaced out and curved around the animals. The books best feature is the animal profile Jenkins and Page have created. Readers will want to research more about these animals after reading this informative, unique book. 

Review Excerpt(s)
Randolph Caldecott Medal - 2004
Notable Children's Books - 2004
- Starred review in KIRKUS REVIEWS: "Not only does Jenkins (Life on Earth, 2002, etc.) again display a genius for creating paper-collage wildlife portraits with astonishingly realistic skin, fur, and feathers, but here on alternate spreads he zooms in for equally lifelike close-ups of ears, eyes, noses, mouths, feet, and tails." 
- Starred review in PUBLISHER'S WEEKLY: "Steve Jenkins contributes another artistically wrought, imaginatively conceived look at the natural world."

Connections
- For readers eager to learn about a variety of animal facts and characteristics. 
- Animal lovers will enjoy this nonfiction text and appreciate the unique illustrations.
- Similar book recommendations: 
Davies, Nicola & Croft, James. SURPRISING SHARKS. ISBN 9780763627423
Jenkins, Steve. BIGGEST, STRONGEST, FASTEST. ISBN 9780395861363

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