Animal Tails

By: Mary Holland
Publisher: Arbordale Publishing
Publication Date: September 2017
ISBN: 978-1628559774
Reviewed by: Ellen Feld
Review Date: October 2017

A fox, a beaver, a cute little bird and a tortoise beetle - what do they all have in common? They all have tails! Tails that help them survive and thrive in the world around them. In Animal Tails, author Mary Holland takes a fun look at all the different tails in the animal world.

The fourth book in author Holland's series on different animal body parts (see Animal Eyes, Animal Mouths and Animal Legs), this book takes a look at all the cool things that animal tails can do. The author begins by explaining the various things animals use their tails for - moving, to balance, swim, ... - and then goes on to give examples.

Did you know that some animals use their tails to signal to others? They might signal a warning like the white-tailed deer or slap it on the water like a beaver. Some animals use their tails to hold onto things, like the opossum, or use it to help steer in the water. And what about that tortoise beetle? It actually uses its tail to protect itself from predators.

With lots of great pictures, and easy-to-read facts throughout, young readers will be fascinated to read all about various animal tails. This book would also make an excellent resource for youngsters looking for references for school papers. At the back of the book are several pages of additional facts, and a tail matching game.

Quill says: Another excellent book in author Mary Holland's series that looks at various animal body parts.