Little Skink's Tail (Arbordale Collection) - Softcover

I got the idea for Little Skink's Tail while writing a nonfiction book about lizards. I was fascinated by young skinks, which often have bright blue tails. Like many lizards, a little skink can snap off its tail--and it keeps on wiggling to distract the enemy. And the tail grows back! Right away, I knew this little skink with the bright blue tail had a story to tell.  
 
The inspiration to have Little Skink daydream about wearing the tails of other forest animals came from watching my four children--and now my four grandchildren--play dress-up and pretend. As I wrote, I pictured my granddaughter dancing about, showing off each tail.
 
I am proud that Little Skink's Tail encourages children to be comfortable with themselves as they are. I did not set out to include this message. It just developed in the process of writing the story.

While Little Skink hunts yummy ants for breakfast, she is suddenly attacked by a crow! But she has a trick to escape, she snaps off her tail, and it keeps on wiggling! Little Skink is happy to be alive, but she misses her bright blue tail. Readers will enjoy pretending with her, trying on tail after tail. The first is too puffy-fluffy, and another too stinky! Then one day Little Skink gets a big surprise and she doesn't have to dream of tails anymore. The "For Creative Minds" section has information on tail adaptations and communications and a mix-and-match tail activity. All Sylvan Dell titles feature free educational resources at www.SylvanDellPublishing.com, including the "For Creative Minds" sections and additional teaching activities. The "For Creative Minds" section features the following activities: Adaptations: Why do animals have tails? Tail Matching Activity for Skink rabbit squirrel deer skunk porcupine owl Mix-n-Match Tail Activity. Learning Magazine's 2009 Teachers' Choice Award, 2009 FPA President's Award for BEST Children's Book and Best Overall Book