A Beach Tail

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.

Author: Karen Lynn Williams
Publisher: Astra Young Readers
Published: 02/01/2010
Pages: 32
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 0.98lbs
Size: 12.22h x 9.30w x 0.36d
ISBN: 9781590787120
Audience: Ages 4-8

Accelerated Reader:
Reading Level: 2.3
Point Value: 0.5
Interest Level: Lower Grade
Quiz #/Name: 135214 / Beach Tail


Award: Buckaroo Book Award - Nominee
Award: Cybils - Finalist
Award: Texas 2x2 Reading List - Recommended
Award: Keystone to Reading Book Award - Nominee
Award: Carolyn W. Field Award - Nominee
Award: Charlotte Zolotow Award - Highly Commended


Review Citation(s):
Publishers Weekly 01/11/2010 pg. 46
Kirkus Review - Children 02/15/2010
School Library Journal 03/01/2010 pg. 136
Booklist 04/15/2010 pg. 49
Multicultural Review 12/01/2010 pg. 71
Hornbook Guide to Children 07/01/2010 - Recommended, Satisfactory

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.