I am a little late but here’s a cute back to school story. I am sure some children are still feeling their way with the new class/building/teacher. And the winner of last week’s TOBY giveaway is Jarie Waterfall, who needs to email me her address! 🙂
Title: A Tiger Tail (Or What Happened to Anya on Her First Day of School)
Author and Illustrator: Mike Boldt
Publisher: Simon and Schuster for Young Readers, 2016
Ages: 4-7
Themes. Back to school, tiger’s tail, making friends, creativity
Book received from publisher in exchange for an impartial review
Opening:
Anya woke one day…
Only to discover,
That overnight, she had grown…
Synopsis:
It’s the first day of school and what could be worse than waking up to discover you’ve grown a tiger’s tail overnight? Not only that, but your parents are completely unphased and think it goes well with your humorous streak and the other kids will love it. Anya tries physical solutions, evasive solutions, creative solutions…. But the answer to her dilemma is waiting for her at school!
Why I like this book:
This is a super funny and silly and creative story about any kid overcoming those first day of school jitters that even the most confident kids with super cool supportive parents have, right?! I love this humor and I think kids will too. I especially like how the parents do all the right comforting things like telling her how wonderfully the tail matches her hair!! Any kid can see around these! For all kids but especially those who feel different! 🙂
I appreciated how the author also demonstrates how those very things about ourselves we don’t like can be the avenues into new friendships.
Resources/Activities:
Have each child paint themselves with some extraneous animal part as their portrait to put up on the classroom walls!
Each week a group of bloggers reviews picture books we feel would make great educational reads. To help teachers, caregivers and parents, we have included resources and/or activities with each of our reviews. A complete list of the thousands of books we have reviewed can be found sorted alphabetically and by topics, here on Susanna Leonard Hill’s website.
In my 20's, with only my guitar and a rucksack, I wandered the continents, immersing myself in the lives of some wonderful people, projects and stories, which changed the way I view my responsibility to others and this earth. Right now I'm a European transplant in the US who writes books for children and young adults. Stories can help us not only navigate our world but can connect us to others, and allow us to inspire and help each other. I believe that equity and empathy should be at the core of our all actions, words, and stories.
I am also a school librarian and I get a kick out of book-matchmaking! And I use the pronouns she/her.
A Tiger Tail sounds like a perfect read for the first day of school or anytime a child is facing a new situation. And I love the suggested activity of portraits with animal parts – it reminds me of the animal masks my kids loved to don when they were young. Great choice!
I’m loving the art project! I’m thinking this would make a great weekend activity to do with my daughter! Also, I’ve never seen this book, and I’m excited to read it. I love a funny picture book, and this one looks like a rib-tickler!
This story really exaggerates how a child feels different on their first day at school — like modern day fables. Sounds very humorous! Love your very creative activity suggestion. Great fun!
Joanna, thank you for chosing my pet adoption story as your selection to win Hazel Mitchell’s new book, TOBY. I am excited and thrilled to be a part of this exciting event..
I love this and thank you. My day is good now.
Jarie, it was a random selection and I am happy you got lucky! I shall note your address and then remove it for your privacy! Would you like the book plate signed to Adie?
I Wish That I Had Duck Feet was one of my favorite books as a Kid, and as a grown-up . . . Imogene’s Antlers, so I look forward to finding this at the library. Thanks.
Absolutely LOVE your activity, Joanna!!!! And what a fabulous school adjustment story…great for the first day of school…or any day. 😉
I love your activity too Joanna. What a neat idea. This sounds like a lovely book for kids who feel nervous about going to a new school or feel like they are the odd one out. Great choice for PPBF, thanks for sharing Joanna.
I loved this book – and was thinking that it would be fun to have a tail for a day… great activity! I love that the class picture shows a diversity of kids…
I liked this book too! It’s a great discussion starter!
This book sounds pretty funny! 🙂
Since the discovery that Enzo wants a pet tiger …. I will definitely find this book.
Thanks for sharing another new one–interested to see if it how it compares to one of my favs, Imogene’s Antlers.
This sounds like a cute book, Joanna! Too bad it wasn’t around when my daughter was younger since her name is also Anya 🙂