How Rabbit Lost His Tail [Hardcover]

Ann Tompert (Author), Jacqueline Chwast (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 5 and up | Grade Level: K and up

One moonlit night when the world was young, Rabbit danced in a grove of willow trees, nibbling twigs from a raspberry bush and dreaming of the coming spring. Rabbit's tail flowed out behind him, for in those days it was long and thick like Squirrel's tail is today. In How Rabbit Lost His Tail, based on a Seneca legend, Ann Tompert's playful text and Jacqueline Chwast's elegant illustrations tell the story of Rabbit's embarrassing loss long ago in the magic of a woodland spring.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 3. A simple pourquoi story, based on a Seneca legend. Rabbit, who once had a long bushy tail like a squirrel, believes for a foolish moment that his fast running has made the snow fall. He hops onto a snow drift and then to a willow tree branch to take a nap. When he awakens, it is spring, the snow drifts have melted, and he is stranded high up in the branches and can't get down. His friends are unable to solve the dilemma until Squirrel tells him to jump: Rabbit does, but his tail remains stuck in the tree. Ever since, the tiny white tails hanging on willows in spring remind us of him. Rabbit's punishment seems rather excessive for a misguided moment of pride. Chwast does not base her art on the Seneca roots of the legend, but her cartoon illustrations nicely balance the text, with characters created in pastel colors outlined in black and dressed in human clothing. However, neither text nor pictures make this book unique. A slight story with not much of a point.?Judith Constantinides, East Baton Rouge Parish Main Library, LA
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Kirkus Reviews

Seneca legend has it that Rabbit once had a long and flowing tail; Tompert (A Carol for Christmas, 1994) and Chwast offer a sturdy look at just how he lost it. Rabbit, busy snacking in a willow grove, is giddy and begins to race around a willow tree. Snow begins to fall, and ``it seemed to Rabbit that the faster he raced around the willow tree, the faster and thicker the snow fell.'' Exhausted, he falls asleep on a willow branch and doesn't wake up until spring, when he discovers that without snow, he is stranded high above the ground. Porcupine, Badger, and Beaver can't help the scared Rabbit climb down, but Squirrel suggests that he jump. Rabbit takes the plunge, but his tail remains behind, stuck in the crotch of the tree. Tompert has fashioned a good and simple porquoi tale from the Native American legend; Chwast's bold, color-drenched artwork, woodcut in style, gives the story a welcome verve. (Picture book/folklore. 4-8) -- Copyright ©1997, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Books for Children; 1ST edition (February 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0395822815
• ISBN-13: 978-0395822814
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 7.8 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.5 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,636,700 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great book!, April 24, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: How Rabbit Lost His Tail (Hardcover)

This book is a wonderful folk tale for all to enjoy. I read it to my children; ages 3 and 6. They were intriqued by the pictures and the plot. This tale brings insight into the theory of evolution and sparks the imagination. It also teaches cooperation and sharing which are so imporatant in the learning process.