Little Skink's Tail (Arbordale Collection)
Physical & Behavioral Adaptation Series
What’s inside...
While Little Skink hunts for breakfast, she is suddenly attacked by a crow, but escapes by snapping off her tail, which keeps wiggling. Although she misses her bright blue tail, she enjoys trying on different tails, each with its own drawbacks, until she gets a big surprise and no longer has to dream of tails. The book includes a 'For Creative Minds' section with information on tail adaptations and a mix-and-match tail activity. It also offers educational resources like a 3-page educational section, 25-page cross-curricular teaching activities, and interactive quizzes, all available for free online. The book is available in eBook format with features like Auto-Flip and Auto-Read, and it is aligned to various educational standards.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
3-7
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
Little Skink
Discussion points
What do you think Little Skink felt when she lost her tail? How would you feel if you were in her place?
Why do you think Little Skink tried on different tails? What does this tell us about trying new things?
How did Little Skink decide her own tail was the best? What does this teach us about self-acceptance and being happy with who we are?
What did you learn about the other animals from their tails? How do tails help animals?
Tip: Role play these questions
Start the conversation by asking your child to describe their favorite part of the story. Build on their responses to explore the themes of the book.
Encourage your child to imagine alternative endings or different tails for Little Skink. This nurtures creativity and deeper connection with the story.
Relate the book's theme to your child’s experiences by discussing times they tried new things or felt different, reinforcing the themes of exploration and self-esteem.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Resilience and Adaptability
Explanation: After Little Skink loses her tail, she faces various challenges but adapts by imagining herself with the tails of other animals, showing her resilience.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to adapt to changes and setbacks in their own lives, understanding that they can overcome challenges and find new ways to succeed.
Example Lesson: Self-Acceptance
Explanation: Ultimately, Little Skink realizes that she is happiest without a tail at all, embracing her own uniqueness.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to accept themselves as they are and to celebrate their unique qualities, even if they feel different from others.
Example Lesson: Imagination and Creativity
Explanation: Little Skink uses her imagination to visualize herself with different tails, creatively solving her problem.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to use their imagination to think creatively in problem-solving and to explore different possibilities in everyday situations.
Example Lesson: Understanding Nature
Explanation: The book introduces different animals and their distinct tails, educating about wildlife and their adaptations.
Real-World Application: Children can become more curious and observant about the natural world around them, fostering a connection with nature and learning about biodiversity.