Jack Of All Tails

by Kim Norman, David H. Clark

Kristi’s family is a bunch of animals: really, their business is posing as people’s pets! Kristi’s father trains kids in puppy ownership by tugging on socks and making puddles on the floor. Mom helps a family adjust to their new kitten by curling up on the piano or pouncing on string. Her brother makes a great lizard, snoozing under a sunlamp. As for Kristi, she keeps messing up and getting fired. Will she ever find her calling?

Occupational hazards include crickets for lunch and a trip to the vet in this imaginative and hilarious story about learning to use your natural talents.

Genres: Picture Books

32 pages, Hardcover

First published June 14, 2007

About the author

Kim Norman is the author of more than a dozen children’s books published by Sterling, Scholastic and two Penguin imprints. Titles include Ten on the Sled, (Sterling) which spent weeks on Barnes and Noble’s Top Ten bestseller list and has been released in Korean and German editions as well as appearing in Scholastic Book Fairs in schools around North America. I Know a Wee Piggy, was reviewed in the New York Times, and is listed on the Texas “2x2 Reading List,” as well being offered by Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.

Kim has a long history of theater & musical performing, which she enjoys including in her school visits and presentations. Songs and videos on her website, kimnormanbooks.com

Reviews

[Viviane Elbee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an amusing story - with some gross humor. One child voted to give it 3 stars and the other 5, so that averages to 4. It is a little on the long side; more for older preschoolers and elementary students.

If you don't like gross humor (like farting) then this book isn't for you. However if your kids laugh at gross humor they will probably appreciate it.

I felt the art was strange - the people all look very weird. (Perhaps this was the intended effect since the people are pretending to be animals?)

The child who voted to give this book 5 stars wanted an immediate re-read, which is always a plus.

[Amber · Rating 3 out of 5]

What a very strange book. 😅

[Shel]

Norman, K. (2007). Jack of All Tails. New York: Dutton Children's Books.

9780525477938

Jack of all Tails manages to capture the same sense of imagination as Norman's Crocodaddy, but for a slightly older audience. Realizing that they're good with animals, Kristi and her family decide to start a business, pretending to be animals to help soon-to-be pet owners learn responsibility. Kristi, eagerly researches various animals, but struggles to find the perfect animal job for her.

With fun illustrations and well-chosen adjectives, Jack of All Tails has a similar fun idea of that of Dog Day, (which I reviewed previously) readers may be entertained to watch human characters behave like animals. This book can trigger discussion and students' stories about their own pets.

This was my favorite page of the book:

I think I feel this way because I've often caught my cats giving me a similar look. I swear, I don't actually imitate them that often.

Activities to do with the book:



This book lends itself to discussing the responsibilities that go with taking care of a pet. Students could discuss their own pets and the trials of taking care of them and create illustrations to accompany their stories. A teacher could also use this book to start a discussion on possible summer jobs for kids and how to advertise.

A teacher could also have students make lists of the various chores involved with caring for pets. And, of course, a teacher or parent could always encourage students to pretend to be pets for a while.



Favorite Quotes:



"My family is a bunch of animals...for the right price. We snuffle and snuggle and snort for a living."

"Mom played tug-of-war with an old sock. Dad did tricks, like rolling over and begging."

"We can be people trainers--you know, teach them how to take care of their pets."

For more of my reviews, visit sjkessel.blogspot.com.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another cute story by Kim Norman! This family has a business of posing as animals so their owners will understand them better. All the members of the family have their specialty but not Kristi, but finally in the end she figures it out and realized that it just runs in the family!!

I love how the use of alliteration grabs the reader (or listeners) attention. The play on words she uses may not be caught by kids, but the parents will enjoy - even the title shows that - Jack of all tails - jack of all trades... Charlotte Munson had a pig (like Charlotte's web) Love it! Teachers can use this to support alliteration and to show somethings take time to figure out!

[Moira · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a gem, with wonderfully rythmic prose adn adorable pictures. It teaches the lesson that there is a place for everyone and everyone has a talent, but it does so with a truly refreshing twist - the characters are all trying to act like pets to give prospective pet owners a taste of what the pet would be like to live with.

[Angie · Rating 1 out of 5]

Sort of a cute picture book for kids. There are better stories out there though.