Little Skink's Tail by Janet Halfmann

Little Skinks Tail

by Janet Halfmann

illustrated by Laurie Allen Klein

Reading level: Ages 4-8
Hardcover: 32 pages
Publisher: Sylvan Dell Publishing (August 10, 2007)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0976882388
ISBN-13: 978-0976882381
Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 8.5 x 0.4 inches

Little Skink's Tail is an absolute delight! I cannot say enough about how much I enjoyed this book - ok, I should say my daughter and I. My daughter is 6 and said that she would give it a definite 5/5 rating! My 2 year old son also really seemed to enjoy it and listened to the entire story on my lap, happily turning the pages along with me. I have to say, that to find a book that I, myself, as well as my 6 and 2 year old can enjoy together is a delightful and wonderful treat (not to mention a feat worth celebrating, lol)

Little Skinks Tail is a story of - you guessed it - Little Skink! One morning, while gobbling up some ants for breakfast, she finds herself the target of a very hungry crow. Thinking quickly, Little Skink snaps off her pretty blue tail and escapes to safety.

She is happy that she is alive got away from the crow, however, soon misses her tail. As she comes across the other animals of the forest, she imagines herself with each of their tales upon her body. This brings about silly and delightful pictures of Little Skink wearing a deer's tail, a skunk's tail, a turtles tail and more. My children and I had so much fun checking out the pictures of Little Skink and talking about the silly tail she wore.

In the end, Little Skink decided that though all were wonderful tails, none were not right for her. Then one day, while playing on a sunny rock - she makes a wonderful discovery!

Now, unlike many children's stories, once the story comes to an end, that is the end of the book. However, with Little Skink's Tail, there are delightful, fun and educational activities at the end. There is a matching page, where you match a picture of an animal's tail with a description of the animal, a Footprint Map, which enables the child to do a cross graph - "the deer prints are located at what coordinates?" As well as related questions. My daughter loved doing this!

I have to say, this is one of my favorite children's book. It is one that will be loved by children, as well as their parents/adults. Mixing a wonderfully written story, unforgettable pictures and fun education is a can't miss combination! I highly recommend this book to everyone - and think it would make an excellent addition to any library and classroom!

*overall rating 5/5

*******************************************************

About Little Skink:

While Little Skink hunts yummy ants for breakfast, she is suddenly attacked by a crow! But she has a trick to escape – she snaps off her tail, and it keeps on wiggling! Little Skink is happy to be alive, but she misses her bright blue tail. Little Skink’s Tail follows Little Skink as she daydreams of having the tails of other animals in the forest. Readers will enjoy pretending with her, trying on tail after tail. The first is too puffy-fluffy, and another too stinky! Then one day Little Skink gets a big surprise…and she doesn’t have to dream of tails anymore. The “For Creative Minds” section has information on tail adaptations and communications and a mix-and-match tail activity.

*********************************

Winner of the following awards:

'09 Learning Magazine Teachers' Choice Award

'09 FPA President's Award Best Children's Book

'09 Moms' Choice Award