Henry the Dog with No Tail (Paula Wiseman Books) [Hardcover]

Kate Feiffer (Author), Jules Feiffer (Illustrator)

Book Description

Series: Paula Wiseman Books

Henry

wanted

one thing

in life.

He wanted

a tail.

All the other dogs

he knew had tails.

Grady, a black Labrador,

had a great big black tail.

Pip, a pug, could do

tricks with her tail.

Larry had a big

puffy ball tail....

WHAT WAS

HENRY TO DO?

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Kate Feiffer is a writer, a filmmaker, and a mother. The New York Times Book Review heralded Ms. Feiffer “economy of style and understated wit” in her debut picture book Double Pink, illustrated by Bruce Ingman. She is the author of Henry the Dog with No Tail and Which Puppy? both illustrated by her father, Jules Feiffer, President Pennybaker and My Mom is Trying to Ruin My Life both illustrated by Diane Goode, as well as The Wild, Wild Inside, illustrated by Laura Huliska-Beith and The Problem with the Puddles, a middle grade novel illustrated by Tricia Tusa.  Ms. Feiffer and her family live on Martha's Vineyard, MA. Visit her at katefeiffer.com.

Jules Feiffer is one of the most influential editorial cartoonists of our time, as well as a playwright, novelist, screenwriter, and both the author and illustrator of children's books. Mr. Feiffer's many awards and honors for his work include a Pulitzer Prize, an Academy Award, and an Obie Award. His books for children include The Phantom Tollbooth written by Norton Juster, The Man in the Ceiling, and Bark, George. Mr. Feiffer lives with his family in New York and Martha’s Vineyard, MA.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books; 1ST edition (October 23, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1416916148
• ISBN-13: 978-1416916147
• Product Dimensions: 11.7 x 10.2 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #84,587 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Be Your Own Dog!, February 25, 2008

By 

M. Allen Greenbaum (California) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Henry the Dog with No Tail (Paula Wiseman Books) (Hardcover)

This is just a tail-riffic book filled with zany puns (much better than my own). Kate Feiffer's TALE of the Australian sheep dog (they typically do not have tails) is not only witty and wise, but her story-telling is superb. The lessons here about finding your identity, your true friends, and self-acceptance are important ones, but they never take precedence over the first requirement of telling a good story.

Feiffer sounds an authentic note in showing that not all of Henry's "friends" are nice, either pre- or post-tail. This is a departure from some books' all-support-all-the-time stance, and the realism makes it a more helpful for any toddler or early grade schooler. However, when Henry ultimately decides he'll just go without a tail, all the dogs agree that's fine: One mildly dissenting spoil-sport might have enhanced book discussion. Still, the young target audience will appreciate the dog's unifrom acceptance.

Kate Feiffer is talented enough to command her pick of illustrators, but she didn't have to look any further than her own backyard,; or rather, her dad's: Award-winning illustrator-author-etc. Jules Feiffer. His pictures have the classic Feiffer style, casual line and color drawings that evoke movement and character, and a mixture of realism and fantasy befitting one of our best humorists and satirists. Feiffer suggests personality in his ore subtle drawings, but also depicts the wild shenanigans caused by Henry's fake tails. One of them, a long ropey tail made by a TAILOR (of course!), enables Henry to do all kinds of fancy tricks, earning the admiration of most of the dogs. Alas, he trips over the buttoned-on tail, can't even wag it, and is found out.

Discouraged and rejected (by some), Henry leaves his home and neighborhood. Eventually he meet a wagon-maker, of whom Henry asked (obviously) if he can make a WAGging tail! He can't, but Henry fins another solution in New York's Battery Park, which, of course, is littered with bartteries! (While not all 3 year-olds will understand what a battery is, let alone the location of Battery Park, or the explicit pun), it's a very funny conceit that many kids--and their adult readers--will enjoy.) Henry ties this onto his tail, and, voila, not only does his tail wag, but it bounces will along the ground, and propels him skyward like a helicopter!

Henry, despite his newfound talents and tricks, also yearns for a normal, non-flying, authentic dog experience, even if his battery-powered special effects hadn't been discovered by wise-dog Larry. He decided that he'll just be himself, and everyone agrees that's the best tail of all. A beautifully told and illustrated book, I'll put this intelligent, well-told story in my list of top 20 books I've read this year.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A terrific "tail tale", December 22, 2007

By 

Massachusetts Mom (Boston, MA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Henry the Dog with No Tail (Paula Wiseman Books) (Hardcover)

Our eldest daughter received "Henry, the Dog with No Tail" as a birthday gift, and it immediately leapt to the top of the stack of bedtime favorites. Our children love Henry and his posse's fanciful antics and the endearingly realistic illustrations. The book has sparked lots of conversation among our kids about the side life our dog might be leading when she is out-and-about with her own doggie friends. Most of all, our kids love that Henry's friends want him to be happy and that, in the end, Henry learns to be happy just as he is.

Whether or not you're a dog lover, you'll love this tail's tale.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Australian Shepherd lovers! Tailless dogs rule!, October 26, 2007

By 

Gail B. Beebe "giapet" (Denver, Colorado USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Henry the Dog with No Tail (Paula Wiseman Books) (Hardcover)

It is Perfect! All dog loving children and adults will enjoy this delightfully illustrated story book. Henry is perfect just the way he is. Thank you for the perfect reading experience for my granddaughter, our Aussie and I.