Wag a Tail
on Goodreads (242)
What’s inside...
In this exuberant new picture book, Lois Ehlert takes readers on a trip to the farmers market with a group of friendly, furry, and mostly well-behaved pups. After shopping, the gang heads to the dog park for some serious playing. The book features gorgeous collage illustrations, subtle counting elements, jaunty text, and an abundance of dogs. It includes a special spread with pictures, names, and traits of all the dogs, allowing children to follow their favorites throughout the story.
Discussion points
Why do you think the dog wags its tail when it's happy?
How do you show someone you're happy to see them, just like the dog in the story?
What do you think the dog might do next if it meets a new friend?
How do you think the other animals feel when they see the dog wagging its tail?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their emotions by comparing them with the dog's actions in the book.
Ask your child to think about a time they felt similar to the dog and share that experience.
While reading, pause at key moments and ask your child to predict what might happen next, fostering their imagination and understanding of the story's context.
Discuss the importance of non-verbal communication and how different beings express feelings in different ways.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Empathy
Explanation: In 'Wag a Tail', the story showcases various animals demonstrating kindness and understanding towards each other's needs.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this by recognizing and respecting the feelings and needs of others, whether at home or in school.
Example Lesson: Responsibility
Explanation: The protagonist of the story takes care of a lost puppy until they can find its owner, teaching the importance of being responsible for others.
Real-World Application: This can encourage children to take responsibility for their actions and care for their belongings and pets.
Example Lesson: Cooperation
Explanation: The characters in the book work together to solve problems, emphasizing the value of teamwork.
Real-World Application: Children learn to cooperate with peers during group activities or team sports, understanding that collective effort often leads to success.
Example Lesson: Resilience
Explanation: Throughout the story, the characters face several challenges but keep trying until they succeed, demonstrating resilience.
Real-World Application: This teaches children to be persistent and keep trying even when faced with difficulties in tasks or learning new skills.
Example Lesson: Joy of Giving
Explanation: The book highlights the happiness that comes from giving and sharing with others, be it time, help, or material things.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to share toys, help friends in need, or participate in community service, recognizing the fulfillment that comes from giving.