*A BEACH TAIL by Karen Lynn Williams Starred Review
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. Greorgy 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 this 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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