See review below:
A BEACH TAIL by Karen Lynn Williams, illustrated by Floyd Cooper. 2010
Fans of Crockett Johnson’s classic, Harold and the Purple Crayon, will find some of the same endearing exploratory themes in this realistic story of a young boy with a stick who takes a linear journey into the unknown and back. When Gregory draws a lion in the sand at the beach, his father gives him permission to play, but he cannot go in the water and he cannot leave the lion. Gregory draws the lion’s tail longer and longer, until he realizes he has strayed far from his father’s umbrella. He follows the tail back to where he started and where his father has been watching all along. This story will capture the imagination of young children longing to explore on their own. Gregory’s mild anxiety when he realizes he has strayed too far is resolved by his own resourcefulness, an ending young readers will find safe and satisfying. The close-up illustrations of Gregory carry readers along as if they are at his side, and the sandy appearance of the drawings reflects the beach setting perfectly. This is a reassuring tale of adventure. Recommended. Jennifer MacKay, Senior Content Editor, American Book Publishing. Salt Lake City, UT