A Tiger Tail:

by Mike Boldt

Anya wakes up to discover that she has grown a tiger tail. Yes, a striped tiger tail. It also happens to be the first day of school. What will the other kids think? Are girls with tiger tails even allowed to go to school?!

Anya is about to find out.

Genres: Picture Books, School, Back To School, Storytime, Childrens, Humor, Fiction

40 pages, Hardcover

First published July 5, 2016

About the author

Mike Boldt has been my name
for quite a few years

Some people call me an Author / Illustrator
I’ve been called worse

I like ice cream a lot

I still enjoy cartoons

I‘ve drawn since I was young

I read (picture) books

I like to write & Draw them too

I'm amazed and grateful every day this is my job.

Reviews

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

What would life be like with a tail? A Tiger Tail by Mike Boldt might make you wonder. :)

It was Anya’s first day of school. First day! And what happens? Anya wakes up with a tiger’s tail! What’s a girl to do? She can’t go to school with a tail. Should she skip school, miss the bus, pretend to be sick? Oh wait…

“Anya realized there was only one choice for a girl with a tiger tail. She would have to run away and join the circus. Would it be so bad? Popcorn for dinner. Swinging on the trapeze. Feeding peanuts to the elephants…”

Anya! What about the *whispers* clowns? Here’s hoping Anya goes with plan B. :D Get tucked in and discover the wonders of this funny, furry tale about the fear of not fitting in and first days.

From the big, bright orange & black striped opening pages to the class surprises at the end! This story pulled the laughs right out of me with big faces, big hair, and big smiles! You’ve got to meet Anya, her binky-ed little brother, and her tiger tail!

I highly recommend this original take on the first day of school jitters.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Anya wakes up on the first day of school with a tiger tail, she tries to find every possible way to not go to school. But she might just be surprised by what she discovers when she finally does make it to school.

A lovely story about acceptance (of others AND ourselves) and celebrating differences.

[Mundie Moms & Mundie Kids · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great picture book to pick up for any young read who's anxious about starting the first day at school.

Read my FULL REVIEW here www.mundiekids.blogspot.com

[Dorine White · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Story-
On Anya's first day of school she wakes up to find that she has grown a tiger's tail! Oh No! Her parents tell her not to worry, that it goes well with her red hair and wild side, but Anya is not comforted. She does everything she can think of to get rid of her tail, but nothing works. She will have to go to school with it. How will the other student's react? Will they even let a girl with a tiger's tail go to school? Anya will find out.

My Thoughts-
This is a delightful picture book that looks at the subject of fitting in and self esteem in a new light. It is perfect for young readers. Anya is horrified at what people will think of her with a tiger's tail. She tries to take it off, hide it, or just miss the bus, but as all kids will learn, they have to go to school anyway.

Once Anya gets there she finds out she is not the only one who is different. In fact, even the teacher looks a bit different. This story will teach kids that it is okay to be different from others, not only that, but that you should accept yourself for who you are.

I loved the big bold pictures and vivid colors. There are great bits of comedy in both the writing and the art. Anya's character has such great expressions. She is fun to watch as she runs about and panics. Children will understand first day or back to school jitters and will enjoy an extreme take on a very normal problem. So cute. 4 stars!

[Mary Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Anya awakes to discover that she’s grown a tiger’s tail overnight, she’s horrified. ”What will the other kids think?” Her parents just don’t understand and nothing seems to help. Boldt’s illustrations are full of color and humor, showing how life is full of diversity in more ways than one.

[Joanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This will be the book I read to my grade 8s on the first day of school. We all feel this way in all new situations.

[Michele Knott · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book that shows differences really aren't a big deal.
Love Mike Boldt's illustrations.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

A humorous reminder that we all have differences in how we look, but it shouldn't make a difference in who we are. The last illustration is priceless.

[Tara]

accepting others differences

[Maki · Rating 4 out of 5]

We are all different and that is what is what makes us special.

[Elisabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

These sort of digitally rendered illustrations aren't really my thing; they have an almost Precious Moments level of over the top saccharine sweetness. That said, this is a solid picture book about first day of school anxiety and embracing differences, both our own and those of other people.

[Trudy Zufelt · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first day of school is scary enough but for Anya it's about to get worse. Anya wakes up to and discovers, to her dismay, that she has grown a tiger's tail. No way will her new school let her in with a a tail, right? Her mother assures her it brings out her wild side and goes well with her hair. Her dad compares it to the time he got glasses. Either way, her parents are not going to let her miss school and Anya is about to find out that she will be allowed inside.

Anya does everything to hide her tail but a collision with another boy as she gets off the bus ruins her plans. However, it leads to a new discovery about the boy. One that helps make Anya's first day at school better than she had anticipated.

Young readers will delight in the situational humor Boldt masters with exaggerated digital images while learning to embrace uniqueness and diversity.

I received a copy of the book from the publisher. This original review from my blog, Boys To Books.

[Kid Lit Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anya has a tiger tail. Not the kind you get at the zoo gift shop and hang off the end of your bike. No, Anya has grown a tiger’s tail, right where one should grow—if little girls were to grow tiger tails. The bigger problem is this: today is the first day of school—real school, not kindergarten. The kind with desks, books, and teachers that don’t make you take a nap. What about the kids? What would they say about a classmate with a tiger tail?

Anya decides she needs to do something. She tries to pull it off, and with little brother’s help, tries to squish it. The tiger tail is just not coming off. Anya, now resigned to her fate, tries to get out . . .

Originally Published at Kid Lit Reviews.
To Read the Full Review and View Interior Art, Go To: http://bit.ly/ATigerTail

[Laura Mossa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh no! Anya wakes up and discovers she has a tiger tail! To make matters worse, it just happens to be the first day of school! When her parents do not seem concerned, Anya decides to take care of her predicament by herself. Her attempts though are not working , and she finds herself at the front of her school building still sporting a tail. Read the book to find out how Anya’s first day of school went.

This amusing yet warm picture book is my pick for our first read aloud for #classroombookaday. Through the engaging illustrations, children will relate to Anya’s apprehension and her frustrations when her initial efforts do not work. Children will learn that we are all unique and the importance of accepting each other’s differences.

[Hanna Municipal Library · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun read lots of well-illustrated pages. The book took us on a "tail" of Anya's morning of her first day of school and how nervous she was about going with her new tail. We read about how Anya wanted to hide the tail and when that didn't go as planned, she wanted to hide. Throughout the story, we asked questions like "What do you do when you feel nervous", "what makes you special like Anya." The kids at the playgroup all agreed they hide or hug mom and that special hugs from mom help them feel better.
This story brought a positive message that we're all different and wonderful in our own unique way.

Perfect bedtime story for a child nervous about their first day of school, new pair of glasses or the beginning of a new adventure.

[Dana · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a totally fun book about feeling different at school. When Anya wakes up with a tiger tail, she doesn't want to go to her first day of school. What will the other kids think? She tries a variety of funny ways to get out of going to school, but her parents deftly ignore the problem as if it were not there and get her to school. Once there, she learns that everyone is different and it is ok.

[Reading Rainbow Community · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVE this book depicting a kid's anxiety about the first day of school. Anya is worried she'll stand out, she'll be teased, she won't make friends... all because she woke up with a tiger tail! Her antics are hilarious for kids and grownups alike, and when she finds out she's not as different as she thinks she is you will laugh out loud and cheer with joy.

[Jana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kids that are nervous and self-conscious on the first day of school will definitely be able to relate to this book. Anya wakes up on the first day of school and discovers that she has grown a tail. The illustrations are hilarious and support the text very well! This one will be very popular on the shelf of my classroom library!

[Deb (Readerbuzz) Nance · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marvelous. Anya wakes up on the first day of school and discovers she has a tiger tale. Eek. What to do? Her parents aren't much help. Finally, she struggles through and learns...there are worse things than a tiger tale. Marvelous for first day of school. Marvelous for kids who feel like they are different. Marvelous any ol' time.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

A charming tale or tail about girl who wakes up on the first day of school only to find she has grown a tail. She tries many hilarious ways to get out of going to school. Once she reaches school she realizes it is okay to be different when she sees that other children in her class also have unique attributes. A fun read for Kindergarten.

[Kaila Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect book for the first day/week of school. Girl scared to go to school with a tiger tail but ends up having other friends in the class with animals. AMAZING illustrations. Very cute and relatable.

[Mandie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anya woke up on the first day of school with a tiger tail! No matter what she tries, it just won't go away. What will the other kids think?

A story about being different and accepting yourself and others for what's on the inside and not the outside. The pictures and story are very well done.

[Jillian Heise · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this one! Illustrations are fabulous, and the story is funny and sweet. Good story for acceptance and community building.

[Colby Sharp · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love first day of school books! This one is a lot of fun.

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute and funny! A young girl wakes up on the first day of school and she suddenly has a tail. Not a ponytail or pigtails...but a tiger tail. How can she go to school with a tail?

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet story about being okay with who you are. I especially loved the expressive illustrations.

[Cristine Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Poor Anya had more to be a bit scared about on her first day of school.....enjoy this delightful tail!

[Rose Rosetree · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Anya wakes up on that morning, she's got trouble. What a way to have her first day of school, waking up with a large-and-very-visible tiger tail.

By the end of the story, there's a cute ending.

So I'll give this book FIVE STARS. And thank Mike Boldt, the author and illustrator.

Personally, Though

I have absolutely no idea what this book was about. It never made sense to me, not the tail, not the reactions of Anya's parents, none of it. Pretty unusual for this author and literature major.

Would I ever give this book to anyone as a present. NEVER!

[Ryan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is all about being nervous for the first day of school. It also is about how sometimes you think there is something weird about you that stands out and will make others think you are weird. But these fears are internal, and you just have to try. I like the message, but think it may be a little hidden. I really liked the artwork.

[Suzanne Lorraine Kunz Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book so simply explores the fear that probably all of us have one time or another of "Since I'm different in ways, will others still like me?" And I love the inclusive ending to the story. Don't we all love Ben with the bunny ears and want ourselves and our children to be like him! This is such a healing book in so many ways!