What Do You Do With a Tail Like This?

This interactive picture book introduces children to animal body parts and their functions. Through die-cut pages, readers first see only a portion of different animals before turning the page to reveal the full creature. The book explores noses, ears, tails, eyes, feet, and mouths across multiple species, explaining how each animal uses these features to survive. The text pairs with cut-paper collage illustrations to demonstrate the unique capabilities of creatures from scorpions to platypuses. The question-and-answer format invites reader participation while delivering science education about animal adaptations and diversity. Through its structure and content, the book encourages curiosity about the natural world and demonstrates how different species have evolved to meet their needs.

Parents and teachers report this book captivates children while teaching them about animal adaptations. Many reviewers note the cut-paper illustrations engage young readers in guessing games about which animals different body parts belong to. Readers praise: - Interactive question-and-answer format that encourages participation - Scientific accuracy and educational value - Detailed illustrations that blend art with realism - Additional animal facts included at the end - Appeals to multiple age groups (2-8 years) Common criticisms: - Some find the text too basic for older children - A few mention the paper quality could be more durable for frequent classroom use Ratings: Goodreads: 4.2/5 (4,300+ ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 (1,100+ ratings) A teacher on Amazon writes: "Perfect for teaching observation skills and making predictions." A parent notes: "My 3-year-old asks for this book every night and has memorized many of the animals."

Animal Eyes by Beth Fielding Each spread explores different animals' eyes and their unique adaptations for survival.

Actual Size by Steve Jenkins The life-sized illustrations of animal body parts and features demonstrate scale relationships in nature.

Creature Features by Steve Jenkins and Robin Page The text explains the functions of unusual animal features through a question-and-answer format.

Beaks! by Sneed B. Collard III The book details how different bird species use their beaks as tools for survival.

Eye to Eye: How Animals See The World by Steve Jenkins The pages reveal the evolution and mechanisms of animal vision across species.

🦊 Steve Jenkins created his distinctive illustrations using cut-paper collage techniques, carefully selecting textured papers to represent different animal features. 🏆 The book received the prestigious Caldecott Honor award in 2004 for its exceptional illustrations. 🐘 The book explores the unique adaptations of 30 different animals, showing how they use their noses, ears, tails, eyes, and mouths in surprising ways. 📚 Steve Jenkins and Robin Page, who are married, have collaborated on more than 30 children's books about science and nature. 🔍 Many of the animals featured in the book, such as the blue-footed booby and the horned lizard, were specifically chosen because they are less commonly known to young readers, encouraging curiosity about unusual species.