A Beach Tail

Summary of Book

How will Gregory find his way back to Dad? Swish-swoosh . . . Gregory draws a lion in the sand. "Don't go in the water, and don't leave Sandy," warns Dad. But the sandy lion grows a tail that gets longer and longer—and soon Gregory is lost on the beach. This wonderful read-aloud book brings to life a summer experience that is all too familiar for young children. Karen Williams's rhythmic text has been paired with Floyd Cooper's brilliant illustrations, revealing the trip down the beach entirely from a child's point of view. A gentle father-son bond is shown in both text and art, reassuring young readers even as they share in Greg's moment of worry at finding himself lost and alone.

Author Biography

Karen Lynn Williams is the author of over a dozen books for children, including the beloved titles Galimoto and recent award-winners such as Four Feet, Two Sandals and Circles of Hope. Her books often feature children in developing countries, and she has lived and worked in both Africa and Haiti. Ms. Williams lives in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Illustrator Biography

Floyd Cooper is the winner of the 2009 Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award for The Blacker the Berry by Joyce Carol Thomas. He is the illustrator of over sixty books for children, including Becoming Billie Holiday by Carol Boston Weatherford and Miss Crandall's School for Young Ladies and Little Misses of Color by Elizabeth Alexander and Marilyn Nelson. He lives in Easton, Pennsylvania.