THE PERFECT TAIL

Fresh from The Magic Toolbox (2003), Fred, a rabbit, and Lulu, a rhino, return in another engaging encounter. Obsessed with tail envy, Fred can’t take his eyes or his mind off Rodney the raccoon’s striped tail, Myrtle the mouse’s long tail, Peter the peacock’s multicolored tail, and Penny the porcupine’s spiky tail. Fred’s attempts to modify his own tail with paint, ribbons, feathers, and toothpicks end in frustration and failure until sagacious Lulu calmly assures Fred that he has a very fine tail himself. The woodcut and watercolor-on-rice-paper illustrations cast Fred, Lulu, and their assorted friends in chunky black outlines highlighted with bright colors suitable for this amusing but strong confirmation of self-acceptance. The bold font nicely matches the roughly cut lines. Overall, a perfect tale indeed. (Picture book. 3-7)