What Do You Do With a Tail Like This?

Bibliography

Jenkins, Steve and Robin Page. 2003. WHAT DO YOU DO WITH A TAIL LIKE THIS? Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company. ISBN 0618256288.

Plot Summary

Did you know that a gecko uses its sticky feet to walk on the ceiling and a horned lizard squirts blood out of its eyes? These are just a few of the facts students will learn after reading this engaging book. “Animals use their noses, ears, tails, eyes, mouths, and feet in very different ways.” In this eye catching, easy to read book, children will learn just what these animals do with each of their body parts. Jenkins and Page have created an entertaining guess and tell fact book about animals most children are familiar with like the bat, giraffe, elephant, and alligator. They also include a few animals that are not as familiar like the horned lizard, bush baby, blue-footed booby, and the water strider.

Critical Analysis

In this concept book for younger readers, Jenkins shares quick little interesting facts about how animals use their body parts. He begins the book with directions on how to read the book. Each section begins with a two page spread that has five different animal’s body parts peaking around the outside edge of the pages and the question “What do you do with a nose like this?” Children will have fun trying to “guess which animal each part belongs to and how it is used.” On the next two-page spread reveals the answers to the question along with five beautiful pictures of the hidden animals. This pattern is repeated throughout the book. Children will also enjoy flipping to the back of the book to read more about each of the animals. This glossary of animals is organized by body part and gives a brief, one-paragraph description of where the animal lives, its size, and a few other fun little facts.

Jenkins has created a brightly colored cut-paper collage for his illustrations. This unique approach is both captivating and fun. The animals move across the page and the text is formed along side each of the animals. The torn paper Jenkins uses almost looks life-like on some of the animals. For example, the shading around the bush babies eyes and the bushy black and white striped tail of the skunk look like real fur.

Children will enjoy this book as a read aloud or sharing it with a friend while trying to guess the animals.

Reviews Excerpts

Caldecott Honor Book-2004

School Library Journal starred review: "Jenkins, this time in collaboration with his wife, has created yet another eye-opening book."

Booklist starred review: "This is a striking, thoughtfully created book with intriguing facts made more memorable through dynamic art."

Connections

Other books by Steve Jenkins include:

Jenkins, Steve. ANIMALS IN FLIGHT. ISBN 0618123512

Jenkins, Steve. BIGGEST, FASTEST, STRONGEST. ISBN 0395697018

Jenkins, Steve. WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN SOMETHING WANTS TO EAT YOU? ISBN 0618152431