Tails Are Not for Pulling (Ages 0-3) by Elizabeth Verdick

Tails Are Not for Pulling (Ages 0-3) Reviews

• 
  Kris

  Useful and age-appropriate. I think the best page is the one that explains that pets may try to warn you by growling or hissing or scratching. Must read to little ones that will be around animals.
• 
  helena ✧

  I picked this book simply for the title. We have cats in our house and recently started babysitting for a small child. Well, this small child doesn't have pets at their home. And our cats have never been around children. This book is out of their age range, but I think it still gives a clear message.
  
  I especially loved the part where it explained that animals can be scared of us, even if we have good intentions. There's another part in the book that explains that animals may make a noise (like a growl or a hiss) as a way to warn that they're uncomfortable.
  
  This book doesn't have to be just kids ages 0-3. It's great for all young ages. Especially if the child has never been around animals before, this would be a good reminder.
• 
  Popo

  Sencillito y claro. Siempre busco libros que introduzcan el tema de que los animales se comunican y no siempre quieren que interactúes con ellos como a ti te apetece y este está bien para cuando se es muy pequeño. Me gustaría que se aclarara que no solo "backs are for rubbing", que no siempre les apetece, pero es una buena introducción y eso lo puede aclarar uno mismo.
• 
  Eva_Amaré

  Is this a sign that the parents are thinking of getting us a dog? This could be them prepping us for the big event. We liked the back scratching, nose nuzzling and all the animal sounds. Wonder how many dogs mama and daddy are getting us each. 🐕 🐕
• 
  Chinook

  The girls have never really been Raul pullers, but they could certainly learn to move more slowly and quietly around the cat if they’d like to pet him more often. This was a pretty good illustration of good pet friend behaviour.
• 
  Alicia Evans

  For: readers looking for a book that discusses taking care of pets and advocates against animal cruelty (with some additional talking points for parents/caregivers in the back).
  
  Possible red flags: angry pets; mentions of hitting/teasing/abusing pets (and how that's not okay).
• 
  Mr. Peace

  Baby kept pointing and patting the book.it seemed like he liked the pictures.
• 
  briz

  Obviously, its heart is in the right place. But my audience did not care to be lectured to about what they can or cannot do with our fluffy companions. I might try this again in a few months...
• 
  Caitlinleah

  Don't know how safe it kept the cat, but it's always good to have a refrain to repeat to the baby. She was a big fan of this library book.
• 
  Lisa Johnson

  Yes! Everyone should read this. This book teaches about how teasing pets can be hurtful and that tails are for wagging, not pulling.
• 
  Peacegal

  “Whether they have fur, feathers, or fins, pets can feel things. And pets can get hurt if you don’t treat them well.” That’s the admirable message of Tails are Not for Pulling, a book designed to teach very young children about being kind to the animals they share their homes with.
  
  The book depicts a wide variety of pets—from hamsters to dogs—and explains what teasing is and why it is harmful. “What might teasing feel like?” the text asks. A group of animals replies, “It’s scary.” “It’s confusing.” “I get mad.” “I want to hide.” Kids, too, tell how teasing makes them feel: “It makes pets run away from me.” “It’s not as fun as it seems.” “I feel bad after I tease.”
  
  Text directed toward parents and teachers gives more guidance in imparting lessons of “pet manners.”
  
  All in all, this is an excellent humane education book illustrating that kindness begins at home. The bright, cheery illustrations will be sure to captivate its intended audience. Tails is published in two forms – as a board book for toddlers and an easy reader for the slightly older set.
  
• 
  Jamie

  “Tails Are Not for Pulling” provides a fun and simply way for toddlers to learn how to safely interact with animals. The author poses the question of what animals are really saying when they bark, meow or squeak. It is suggested that the animals are really telling you how they want you to play with them. “Fur is for petting,” the cat says. “Backs are for scratching” the dog says. The most important thing the animals say is that “tails are not for pulling…they’re for wagging!”
  The illustrations are bright and colorful, attracting the eyes of toddlers. The characters in the book are all diverse, allowing young readers to find someone to relate to. Happy and playful animals are depicted as being affectionate, but the story also warns that these animals can get annoyed just like people.
  This book is best suited for reading to an individual child. The last page of the book has some wonderful suggestions of how to make the book interactive and of how to get the most from the reading experience with your child.
  
• 
  Pam Cipkowski

  This comes in both a board book and in a longer 33-page book. Both are very good teaching tools for showing young kids that animals have feelings and can feel pain and fear. Describes the warning signs of a pet that may not want to be touched/may want to be left alone. Also describes behaviors that are positive interactions with pets. The back of both books gives tips for parents and caregivers on teaching kids about pet care and how and why to be kind to animals. The longer book also has a list of fun facts about animals and additional information on pet care and choosing a pet.
• 
  Kallie Oliver

  Empathetic, easy for young kids to understand, and fun to read.
  
  I just wish these worked. After discussing the book at length, particularly the "the dog may try to warn you by growling" page, my child decided to PULL TAILS HARDER while screeching like an enraged parrot. He seems to be saying "GO AHEAD AND BITE ME, MUTT" with his wailing. He thinks the "warning growls" are hilarious and keeping him off the dogs during the COVID-19 shutdown is my new full-time job.
  
  My dogs are too nice to bite him. Will update to 5 stars if he ever stops.
• 
  Jane Humane

  *Program Worthy*
  Ideal Age Range: 2-7
  Length: Picture Book
  Topic(s): how to treat animals, empathy towards animals, early respect for animals.
  Strengths: early respect for animals, how to properly handle various common pets put into language a young child can understand.
  Weaknesses: None
  Notes: This is a favorite book. You could take it into so many directions. A must have for a Humane Education program or collection.
  
• 
  Krystallina Paramithi

  Great book that helps kids realize why we should be kind to pets. I loved the part where the author express how animals feel when we're being annoying to them and how kids feel after that too. The book is written in a positive way and can teach a great lesson to kids. My 2 year old is already better with his grandma dog!
• 
  Kimberly

  Great situational learning, informational book. It is in the same style as the author/illustrator's "Feet Are Not for Kicking," "Germs Are Not For Sharing," and others. Children need explicit instruction on how to play with animals without hurting them. Giving the animals personification helps children understand emotions.
• 
  Lizzie

  A good board for any toddler about proper behavior around animals. Clear and concrete, with lots of different pets and moments for interaction with a one on one reader or a crowd. The tips for parents/guardians in the back make a very teachable and attractive book to parents.
• 
  Cabryn Taylor

  This was an ok book. Like most board books, it was really quick to read. I like the whole idea of trying to teach kids not to pull tails of their animals...so far, it's still a work in progress.
• 
  jacky

  This was read at story time at the Auburn Library. It is a short board book that teaches kids about how to read the signs their pets give for it the pet is happy or scared.
• 
  Lisa

  Great book to teach young children how to be gentle to animals and what the animals do when they are scared.
• 
  Principle Based Learning

  (recommended by: Ashley B)
  Click here for the full article on: More Than Just Fairytales
  
• 
  Jessie

  Liked how it introduced the idea of a pet's hissing or growling to mean "hands off." We have used that quite a bit lately.
• 
  Erin

  My son really liked this book. I read it everyday after checking it out at the library and he even began asking for it. I followed the suggestions on the back. He still goes right for the tail.