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The Technology Tail: A Digital Footprint Story
Why are there bandages and gifts stuck to my Technology Tail!? Let Screen explain the importance of what you post online.
The Technology Tail is a cute, creative story about children and their texts, tweets, posts and pics. Don’t be mean and irresponsible! That’s the straight-to-the-point advice “Screen” has for young readers who are active on social media.
Whether tapping out messages on their computers, tablets or phones, Screen wants kids to know their words – the kind and the cruel – will follow them for life, creating a digital trail that can't be erased.
The Technology Tail is part of the Communicate with Confidence book series that offers a timeless message to a new generation just learning how to navigate the fast-changing digital age. Written for children in grades 1 through 6, this storybook uses rhymes and colorful illustrations to grab their attention.
Also included are tips for parents and teachers who want to reinforce kindness and respect in a high-tech world.
Communicate with Confidence book series also includes other great storybooks written by Julia Cook!
>li>Well, I Can Top That! Learning the Difference Between Being a “Pull-Upper” and “One-Upper”
The Technology Tail is a cute, creative story about children and their texts, tweets, posts and pics. Don’t be mean and irresponsible! That’s the straight-to-the-point advice “Screen” has for young readers who are active on social media.
Whether tapping out messages on their computers, tablets or phones, Screen wants kids to know their words – the kind and the cruel – will follow them for life, creating a digital trail that can't be erased.
The Technology Tail is part of the Communicate with Confidence book series that offers a timeless message to a new generation just learning how to navigate the fast-changing digital age. Written for children in grades 1 through 6, this storybook uses rhymes and colorful illustrations to grab their attention.
Also included are tips for parents and teachers who want to reinforce kindness and respect in a high-tech world.
Communicate with Confidence book series also includes other great storybooks written by Julia Cook!
>li>Well, I Can Top That! Learning the Difference Between Being a “Pull-Upper” and “One-Upper”
31 pages, Paperback
Published August 30, 2017
6 people are currently reading
92 people want to read
About the author
Julia Cook
151 books197 followers"In order to teach children, you must enter their view of the world."
~ Julia Cook
JULIA COOK, M.S. is a national award winning children’s author, counselor and parenting expert. She has presented in thousands of schools across the country and abroad, regularly speaks at national education and counseling conferences, and has published children’s books on a wide range of character and social development topics. The goal behind Cook’s work is to actively involve young people in fun, memorable stories and teach them to become lifelong problem solvers. Inspiration for her books comes from working with children and carefully listening to counselors, parents, and teachers, in order to stay on top of needs in the classroom and at home. Cook has the innate ability to enter the worldview of a child through storybooks, giving children both the “what to say” and the “how to say it”.
~ Julia Cook
JULIA COOK, M.S. is a national award winning children’s author, counselor and parenting expert. She has presented in thousands of schools across the country and abroad, regularly speaks at national education and counseling conferences, and has published children’s books on a wide range of character and social development topics. The goal behind Cook’s work is to actively involve young people in fun, memorable stories and teach them to become lifelong problem solvers. Inspiration for her books comes from working with children and carefully listening to counselors, parents, and teachers, in order to stay on top of needs in the classroom and at home. Cook has the innate ability to enter the worldview of a child through storybooks, giving children both the “what to say” and the “how to say it”.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
February 19, 2018
I am a school librarian/technology integrator, and I can't justify buying this. The author made a huge, problematic leap at the end. In the ending, the protagonist suddenly grows from an elementary age kid to an adult who fails a job interview due to her online presence. What little kid cares about or understands job interviews? What little kid has the cognitive capacity to think, "oh yes, that's right, my entire life will be destroyed by being a meanie online"?
The story just ends, and that girl is just screwed. No learning happens, no opportunities for correcting mistakes, or apologies. That's pretty dark for a book aimed towards 1st and 2nd graders. I can't teach 7-year-olds that.
The story started fine, and I liked the concept of the tail. But, the story could've instead been about an interpersonal problem caused by the girl's reckless posting - which little kids would actually understand and have the ability to reflect upon.
The story just ends, and that girl is just screwed. No learning happens, no opportunities for correcting mistakes, or apologies. That's pretty dark for a book aimed towards 1st and 2nd graders. I can't teach 7-year-olds that.
The story started fine, and I liked the concept of the tail. But, the story could've instead been about an interpersonal problem caused by the girl's reckless posting - which little kids would actually understand and have the ability to reflect upon.
November 25, 2018
I felt this story does a fantastic job at explaining what a digital footprint is and why it is important in this day and age to have a good one. It is a great visualization (an actual tail) to see why where you go and what you do on the internet is never private.
November 1, 2018
This was a pretty direct conversation with elementary kids about their digital "tail" (rather than footprint). It was a good metaphor, providing a visual with the extended metaphor that kids can remember when they are thinking about their posts online. The computer screen is basically teaching a lesson just like a teacher about one's digital tattoo/tail/footprint and how it will affect one's life and future (I did like that they emphasized the child's current life as well as the future because kids don't seem to think about future consequences very well, which is developmentally appropriate). In the end, the kids learn the "THINK before you post" mnemonic: Is it True, is it Helpful, (etc.)
Pretty solid picture book for teaching about digital citizenship.
Pretty solid picture book for teaching about digital citizenship.
October 3, 2021
There are probably some adults who wish they had had this visual image of internet use before leaving impressions of themselves that marred their presentation to a university or professional setting.
The additions or detractions to the “tail” are easy to understand & are shown cleverly with the illustrations. The “THINK” hand suggestion re: when to post would be good always - even face to face (Is it true, helpful, inspiring, necessary, kind). What a gentler world we would have!
I felt the dialogue of “screen” was a little off until I realized it was supposed to be in verse. But with an awkward rhythm. That feature does not detract from its use as an introduction to thoughtful internet use.
The additions or detractions to the “tail” are easy to understand & are shown cleverly with the illustrations. The “THINK” hand suggestion re: when to post would be good always - even face to face (Is it true, helpful, inspiring, necessary, kind). What a gentler world we would have!
I felt the dialogue of “screen” was a little off until I realized it was supposed to be in verse. But with an awkward rhythm. That feature does not detract from its use as an introduction to thoughtful internet use.
October 27, 2024
This is a charming read that introduces children to the lasting effects of their online actions. Through rhyming verse and engaging illustrations, it explores the concept of digital footprints, teaching kids that what they share online can leave a lasting impression—either positive or negative. With its fun and accessible approach, this book is perfect for sparking important conversations about online behavior, kindness, and responsibility, making it a great resource for both home and classroom settings.
April 2, 2025
So-so. The premise of the tail that follows you forever had a lot of potential, but the ending was disappointing.
The book is written to help kids understand about their digital footprint, and to understand safety rules for social media and internet use.
Its a bit wordy, and while its a childrens book..it jumps to talking about how job interviews could be affected. I'm not thinking children are going to make the connection. Again...weird ending.
The book is written to help kids understand about their digital footprint, and to understand safety rules for social media and internet use.
Its a bit wordy, and while its a childrens book..it jumps to talking about how job interviews could be affected. I'm not thinking children are going to make the connection. Again...weird ending.
October 19, 2025
"The Technology Tail." This books is showing a little girl how to be responsibile when posting online. There are digital words, and phrases and a silly tail . The dialogue has lightly colorful and slightly nuteral but still enough to enjoy the read. This books is an amazing book for parents to read to their children it teaches then how to be safe and watch out for the danger online. this book also teaches kindness and how being mean to others online is not okay.
September 21, 2018
Meh. This was a disappointing addition to the collection of Julia Cook's books that I keep for teachers to use in social skills lessons. The premise of the tail that follows you forever had a lot of potential, but pedantic writing, an awkward rhyme scheme, and an apocalyptic tone towards the end make this one a hard sell. I'll keep looking for better digital citizenship choices.
January 25, 2020
This book really helps kids understand that we all have a permanent digital footprint. This is intended for kids who are on social media and helps for them to understand safety rules for social media and internet use without being preachy or lecturing.
October 15, 2017
Great book for you gets when teaching about digital footprints
November 28, 2017
The illustrations are rather interesting. The message is clear. A book to share with a great message.
October 14, 2019
This should be in EVERY teachers classroom library
August 20, 2020
This should be in EVERY teachers classroom library
January 5, 2021
Great for kids when beginning to use social media. Especially enjoyed the "Think Gloves" concept. Tweens and older kids could benefit from this.
September 29, 2022
Easy read with good information, but pretty bland. Kids should have to read this before going online and both adults and kids need this as a reminder. Be kind online.... And in life.
August 17, 2023
This one is a little hokey, but has good message about digital footprint, going to read with 5th grade (and let them know it is hokey ahead of time)
August 19, 2024
A kids book. Not a bad Idea for adults to read too. A great reminder!
October 23, 2024
It's an incredible way to explain to kids about digital footprint.
Want to read
October 1, 2025SM
December 28, 2020
This picture book does a great job explaining to children how their online behavior can follow them like a tail!
I've used this in my technology class several times! It's a MUST HAVE on the bookshelf.
I've used this in my technology class several times! It's a MUST HAVE on the bookshelf.
March 27, 2020
This book is a great reminder of how to stay safe online!
December 25, 2020
عنوان ترجمهٔ فارسی: حواست به دُمت باشه! در دنیای دیجیتال
January 2, 2025
The text is a bit long for my young readers, but it does a great job of explaining a library standard in my school. Thank you, Julia Cook! for a necessary tool for teaching.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews