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Great 'tails' by kristen schottPublished: January, 2010

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For children, stories about animals can have endless appeal – and that’s what made this month’s selection so difficult. I sorted through  more than 30 tales about dogs, cats, lions and rabbits, each one endearing in its own way. The four seen here – plus the four available online – are among the best for a number of reasons. Some are heartwarming; others offer good advice for little ones; and still others are just downright entertaining. Above all, they’re about animals – and no one can pass these “tails” up. ‘Pat the Beastie’ [ages 3 and up] By Henrik Drescher (Workman Publishing; $11.95; 11 pages) What happens when a “beastie” is poked, prodded, pushed and pulled to no end? This board book, which is a creative parody of the well-loved “Pat the Bunny,” answers that question through a series of hilarious – and sometimes gross – interactive actions. The funny and inventive tale teaches kids the importance of minding their manners and being nice to animals, especially to beasties. ‘Sylvie’ [ages 3-6] By Jennifer Sattler (Random House; $15.99; 40 pages) Sylvie – an inquisitive young flamingo – is a character readers will fall in love with. Frankly, she’s too cute to ignore. Sylvie’s journey begins and ends with the color pink, but there’s a chorus of shades in between. This tale teaches Sylvie – and kiddies – the value in loving yourself just the way you are, no matter what color your skin, or, in Sylvie’s case, feathers. ‘Lost and Found’ [ages 4-8] By Jim LaMarche (Chronicle Books; $17.99; 48 pages) LaMarche takes three stories and combines them to create one compelling piece about the love between children and their pups. In one tale, a girl relies on her dog to find the way home; in the next, furry Ginger gets lost, then found; and in the third, one runaway pup helps a family in need. But what makes the book even better are the illustrations. The three dogs seem real enough to love. ‘The Georges and the Jewels’ [ages 10 and up] By Jane Smiley (Alfred A. Knopf; $16.99; 240 pages) There are a lot of great topics in this book, but the biggest star is the relationship between a young girl and her horses, the Georges and the Jewels. Though the novel broaches a number of other tough subjects, Abby’s work to train and understand the animals is what drives it forward. The Pulitzer Prize-winning author’s story is a smash hit for all young girls with a passion for horses. Kristen Schott is OC Family magazine’s children’s book editor.

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