A Beach Tail - Hardcover

Williams, Karen Lynn

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1590787129 ISBN 13: 9781590787120

Publisher: Astra Young Readers, 2010

Synopsis

How will Gregory find his way back to Dad?Swish-swoosh . . . Gregory draws a lion in the sand. "Don't go in the water, and don't leave Sandy," warns Dad. But the sandy lion grows a tail that gets longer and longer—and soon Gregory is lost on the beach. This wonderful read-aloud book brings to life a summer experience that is all too familiar for young children. Karen Williams's rhythmic text has been paired with Floyd Cooper's brilliant illustrations, revealing the trip down the beach entirely from a child's point of view. A gentle father-son bond is shown in both text and art, reassuring young readers even as they share in Greg's moment of worry at finding himself lost and alone.

About this title

About the Author:

Karen Lynn Williams is the author of over a dozen books for children, including the beloved titles Galimoto and recent award-winners such as Four Feet, Two Sandals and Circles of Hope. Her books often feature children in developing countries, and she has lived and worked in both Africa and Haiti. Ms. Williams lives in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Floyd Cooper is the winner of the 2009 Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award for The Blacker the Berry by Joyce Carol Thomas. He is the illustrator of over sixty books for children, including Becoming Billie Holiday by Carol Boston Weatherford and Miss Crandall's School for Young Ladies and Little Misses of Color by Elizabeth Alexander and Marilyn Nelson. He lives in Easton, Pennsylvania.

From School Library Journal:

Starred Review. PreSchool-Grade 2—A charming tale of creativity and discovery. When Gregory draws a lion in the sand, his father suggests that it needs a tail and a name. As the child begins making a tail with a stick, Dad reminds him, "Don't go into the water, and don't leave Sandy." Although Gregory does not go into the water, his interpretation of not leaving Sandy is highly suspect. As he continues to draw the tail, it leads him a long way down the beach. Gregory winds it around a purple jellyfish, a sandcastle, a horseshoe crab, and more, until he reaches a jetty. He turns around and has lost sight of Dad, but fortunately is clever enough to follow the tail back past his landmarks, until he finds part of Sandy, whose body has been washed away. Gregory is happy and relieved to see his father sitting under the blue umbrella on the dolphin towel. The pastel illustrations use a soft, muted palette and have a grainy, beachlike feel to them. Cooper does an outstanding job of using perspective to underscore the immensity of the beach and sea. Gregory's facial expressions are full of wonder and curiosity as he finds small discoveries during his adventure. A wonderful summer tale to share one-on-one or with a group.—Anne Beier, Hendrick Hudson Free Library, Montrose, NY
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About this edition

• Publisher: Astra Young Readers
• Publication date: 2010
• ISBN 10: 1590787129
• ISBN 13: 9781590787120
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 32
• Illustrator: Cooper Floyd