What do you think?
Rate this book
Best Behavior (Ages 4-7)
Tails Are Not for Pulling
Teach kids that teasing animals isn’t nice, they can choose to be kind to animals, and it’s important to ask before touching someone’s pet.
Pets may not have words, but they can communicate. Paying attention to an animal’s cues—a joyful bark, a scary growl, a swishing tail—can help a child understand what the animal is “saying” and what an appropriate response might be. That’s part of what this English-Spanish bilingual picture book is about. But mostly it’s about showing children how to love pets gently—because pets are for loving, after all. Kids learn that teasing isn’t nice, that they can choose to be kind to animals, and that if you want to touch someone else’s pet, there’s one important rule you should Ask the owner first!
A special section for adults includes ideas for teaching children kindness to animals, activities, and discussion starters in both English and Spanish.
Best Behavior series
Simple words and lively full-color illustrations guide children to choose positive behaviors. Select titles are available in two a durable board book for ages 1–4 and an expanded paperback for ages 4–7. Bilingual board book and paperback editions of all titles also are available. Kids, parents, and teachers love these award-winning books. All include helpful tips for teachers, caregivers, and parents.
Pets may not have words, but they can communicate. Paying attention to an animal’s cues—a joyful bark, a scary growl, a swishing tail—can help a child understand what the animal is “saying” and what an appropriate response might be. That’s part of what this English-Spanish bilingual picture book is about. But mostly it’s about showing children how to love pets gently—because pets are for loving, after all. Kids learn that teasing isn’t nice, that they can choose to be kind to animals, and that if you want to touch someone else’s pet, there’s one important rule you should Ask the owner first!
A special section for adults includes ideas for teaching children kindness to animals, activities, and discussion starters in both English and Spanish.
Best Behavior series
Simple words and lively full-color illustrations guide children to choose positive behaviors. Select titles are available in two a durable board book for ages 1–4 and an expanded paperback for ages 4–7. Bilingual board book and paperback editions of all titles also are available. Kids, parents, and teachers love these award-winning books. All include helpful tips for teachers, caregivers, and parents.
40 pages, Paperback
Published September 15, 2005
About the author
Elizabeth Verdick
99 books50 followersElizabeth Verdick has been writing books since 1997, the year her daughter was born. Her two children, now ages 13 and 8, are the inspiration for nearly everything she writes. Before becoming an author, Elizabeth edited books for children and parents.
These days she writes books for toddlers to teens, and everything in between. She especially loves creating new board book series for toddlers—the latest series is Toddler Tools™, which helps young children and their parents cope with those tough times and transitions that happen every day (like naptime and bedtime). The Best Behavior™ series helps toddlers reach new milestones and improve their day-to-day behavior.
Elizabeth also enjoys getting the chance to look at the funny side of life in the Laugh and Learn™ series, which helps kids ages 8–13 get a handle on the social/emotional skills they’re developing throughout the elementary– and middle school years. Elizabeth lives with her family and five pets near St. Paul, Minnesota.
These days she writes books for toddlers to teens, and everything in between. She especially loves creating new board book series for toddlers—the latest series is Toddler Tools™, which helps young children and their parents cope with those tough times and transitions that happen every day (like naptime and bedtime). The Best Behavior™ series helps toddlers reach new milestones and improve their day-to-day behavior.
Elizabeth also enjoys getting the chance to look at the funny side of life in the Laugh and Learn™ series, which helps kids ages 8–13 get a handle on the social/emotional skills they’re developing throughout the elementary– and middle school years. Elizabeth lives with her family and five pets near St. Paul, Minnesota.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
February 19, 2017
My daughter really needs this book! One day I will check it out from the library for her. Our family dog will thank me, I'm sure. Haha!
August 28, 2026
Seems like a great way to explain to young kids how to interact with dogs and cats.
November 24, 2010
“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.
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.
February 20, 2014
*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.
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.
January 14, 2021
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).
Possible red flags: angry pets; mentions of hitting/teasing/abusing pets (and how that's not okay).
September 10, 2022
Yes! Everyone should read this. This book teaches about how teasing pets can be hurtful and that tails are for wagging, not pulling.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews