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A Beach Tail
Gregory and his father are spending a day at the beach. When Greg finds a stick and draws a lion in the sand, his father says, "Don't go in the water, and don't leave Sandy." The little boy follows his father's advice. But he still manages to travel down the beach quite a way before realizing he can no longer see the blue umbrella where Dad is waiting. Greg's journey takes him past such landmarks as a jellyfish, a sand castle, a big pit in the sand, a ghost-crab hole, and more. Fortunately, he has his stick-and Sandy's tail-with him the whole way.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published February 1, 2010
2 people are currently reading
220 people want to read
About the author
Karen Lynn Williams
24 books17 followersKaren was born in Connecticut, and received her Master’s degree in deaf education. She has lived in Africa and in Haiti. Karen had an early dream to be one of the youngest published authors, starting a writing club at ten. However, Karen's published works came later in life, after extensive travels and family experience. Karen's ability to draw from personal experience and adapt into writing forms for all ages and interests expresses her true gift.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 94 reviews
July 8, 2019
While I really and truly have found A Beach Tail and in particular author Karen Lynn Williams' presented storyline engaging, sweetly perceptive and most definitely coming from a young child's point of view and emotional level in the best sense of the word (with young Gregory's long long long drawn in the sand lion's tail and how he uses this as a tool to basically and humorously attempt to thwart his father's directives to not go beach exploring alone, to not leave the area of his "lion in the sand drawing" making me repeatedly and appreciatively smile, especially since it is also quite obvious and clear that Gregory's father is indeed still keeping a watchful eye on his son when Gregory is out and about exploring the beach), I also do have to admit that A Beach Tail has been a bit aesthetically disappointing with regard to Floyd Cooper's accompanying artwork.
For while I do find Cooper's pictures delightfully expressive and that they definitely very much mirror and compliment Karen Lynn Williams' text (with their close snap-shot like portraits of Gregory and his beach explorations presenting just how focussed Gregory is on what he discovers in the sand and that even his Sandy the Lion drawing has basically been completely forgotten except for the lion's ever lengthening "tail"), I also am a bit aesthetically frustrated with how monochromatic the colour scheme used is, as indeed, I would personally and aesthetically definitely much prefer if Floyd Cooper could have made artistic use of a bit more ocean blues and greens, since to and for my eyes, the illustrations for A Beach Tail, they are just a bit too mutedly brownish and whitish hued throughout and thus much too wishy-washy (and that in my opinion, it really does sometimes rather appear as though young Gregory is kind of almost being swallowed by the sand around him, that there are not enough diverse colours present and also not nearly enough visual contrast).
For while I do find Cooper's pictures delightfully expressive and that they definitely very much mirror and compliment Karen Lynn Williams' text (with their close snap-shot like portraits of Gregory and his beach explorations presenting just how focussed Gregory is on what he discovers in the sand and that even his Sandy the Lion drawing has basically been completely forgotten except for the lion's ever lengthening "tail"), I also am a bit aesthetically frustrated with how monochromatic the colour scheme used is, as indeed, I would personally and aesthetically definitely much prefer if Floyd Cooper could have made artistic use of a bit more ocean blues and greens, since to and for my eyes, the illustrations for A Beach Tail, they are just a bit too mutedly brownish and whitish hued throughout and thus much too wishy-washy (and that in my opinion, it really does sometimes rather appear as though young Gregory is kind of almost being swallowed by the sand around him, that there are not enough diverse colours present and also not nearly enough visual contrast).
August 16, 2010
A fun story about a little boy who draws a lion in the sand on the beach. He is drawing the tail when his father reminds him "not to leave the lion" Of course, we adults can assume this means the little boy is supposed to stay put--but in the child's mind, the excitement and allure of the beach, of discovery, and of getting lost in his imagination translates the father's message into something else entirely. He DOES stay with the lion's tail--but what a long tail it becomes! ;-) Super cute and made me want to go to the beach. I also appreciate that the story features a father/son duo.
August 27, 2010
This is the fourth book I’ve read by this author and I’ve really liked them all. This one is somewhat different, from her others, and any other books I’ve read.
The illustrations are huge and really lovely. They’re definitely beach pictures. And the realism of how the people look makes them special.
The story is fine for the very youngest children but has a wide appeal for different children’s age groups. Fine for the youngest child because of not too many words, repetition, and sound effects, and it’s a great read aloud book.
The story is funny and sweet and perhaps for some children a bit scary for a brief time. I love it because it shows perfectly a child’s imagination, a child creating art, a father’s understanding nature and his willingness to set boundaries, and the bond between a father and son. That this is an African-American father and son is a positive, in my opinion. Sandy the lion (the boy Greg’s sand drawing) is enjoyable to follow, back and forth, right along with Greg.
The illustrations are huge and really lovely. They’re definitely beach pictures. And the realism of how the people look makes them special.
The story is fine for the very youngest children but has a wide appeal for different children’s age groups. Fine for the youngest child because of not too many words, repetition, and sound effects, and it’s a great read aloud book.
The story is funny and sweet and perhaps for some children a bit scary for a brief time. I love it because it shows perfectly a child’s imagination, a child creating art, a father’s understanding nature and his willingness to set boundaries, and the bond between a father and son. That this is an African-American father and son is a positive, in my opinion. Sandy the lion (the boy Greg’s sand drawing) is enjoyable to follow, back and forth, right along with Greg.
July 22, 2019
I love the child's perspective throughout the choices in this book. Gregory names his drawing in a way that makes perfect sense from his point of view. And he only imagines that he's far enough from his father to be on an adventure, mostly because he's little. And the emphasis in the illustrations on the sand is indeed what this small child would see as he keeps his stick drawing in the sand; no need for the bright waves and towels of other beach themed books.
I know that I give four stars to a lot picture-books, so I'll have to make it clear to you that this is, imo, one of the best 4* books that I've read in a long time.
I know that I give four stars to a lot picture-books, so I'll have to make it clear to you that this is, imo, one of the best 4* books that I've read in a long time.
March 30, 2020
When Gregory's father tells him not to leave "Sandy" - the lion he has drawn in the sand - and not to go in the water, the young boy has no intention of doing anything else. Stick in hand, he sets out to give Sandy a tail. Stretching down the beach - past a gooey purple jellyfish, the washed-out remains of a sand castle, and a little crab scurrying in the warm sand - it turns out to be a very long tail indeed, and although Greg doesn't go in the water, or leave Sandy, he discovers that he has left Dad behind...
A gentle tale (or should that be "tail?") of a day at the beach, this lovely picture-book explores the wonder and excitement of a sunny summer day, and the loving bond between father and son. Floyd Cooper - who won a Coretta Scott King Illustrators Award for his work on Joyce Carol Thomas's The Blacker the Berry - captures all the joy of Williams' simple narrative with his pastel illustrations. The cover illustration is probably my favorite, but the final spread, in which Dad and Gregory join hands to take a dip, is beautiful as well. All in all, a charming picture-book, perfect for a summertime read with young children!
A gentle tale (or should that be "tail?") of a day at the beach, this lovely picture-book explores the wonder and excitement of a sunny summer day, and the loving bond between father and son. Floyd Cooper - who won a Coretta Scott King Illustrators Award for his work on Joyce Carol Thomas's The Blacker the Berry - captures all the joy of Williams' simple narrative with his pastel illustrations. The cover illustration is probably my favorite, but the final spread, in which Dad and Gregory join hands to take a dip, is beautiful as well. All in all, a charming picture-book, perfect for a summertime read with young children!
January 1, 2026
4⭐️
Cute story of a kid who plays at the beach, loses his dad, and finds his own way back
Cute story of a kid who plays at the beach, loses his dad, and finds his own way back
August 7, 2019
With gorgeous pastel illustrations that highlight the grainy nature of a beach, this story shows how imagination can both send you on an adventure as well as get you out of trouble.
Given directions to stay out of the water and not to leave his lion drawing, Gregory decides that Sandy needs a very long tail. The close-up images of Gregory are very realistic and expressive.
I love that Gregory's dad was keeping an eye on him the whole time, noticing that the tail had gotten quite long. And that after Gregory had some time to explore, they both went into the water together.
This book was featured as one of the selections for the July 2019: Seaside-themed books discussion for the Picture-Book Club in the Children's Books Group here at Goodreads.
Given directions to stay out of the water and not to leave his lion drawing, Gregory decides that Sandy needs a very long tail. The close-up images of Gregory are very realistic and expressive.
I love that Gregory's dad was keeping an eye on him the whole time, noticing that the tail had gotten quite long. And that after Gregory had some time to explore, they both went into the water together.
This book was featured as one of the selections for the July 2019: Seaside-themed books discussion for the Picture-Book Club in the Children's Books Group here at Goodreads.
July 6, 2019
In this story, Gregory obeys the letter of the law, but not the spirit, when he wanders away from his father by drawing the sand lion's tail longer and longer. And, Gregory is very focused on his own little exploration and is not paying attention to the bigger picture (the ocean). I have always loved Floyd Cooper's art style, and these pastel paintings are realistic and beautifully executed; and even though the colors are very muted and monochromatic, they are quiet like this quiet story.
April 16, 2010
When Gregory drew a Sandy Lion in the sand on the beach, his father suggested that Sandy needs a tail. He also told Gregory not to go in the water and not to leave Sandy. Gregory drew a tail with his drawing stick. When he came to a jellyfish on shore, he draw a loop around it. He went up and over an old sandcastle. He zigzagged around a horseshoe crab. He swirled around the hole of a ghost crab. He wrote his name. Then he turned around and realized how far he was from his father! How could be find him on the huge beach? Gregory followed Sandy’s tail back to the beginning all on his own.
This is a story of a beautiful day at the beach combined with a boy’s imagination. The words use some repetition of the father’s instructions not to go into the water or leave Sandy. I also appreciate a book where a child moves some distance away from a parent with no fear and uses his own ingenuity to return safely.
It is the pastel illustrations by Cooper that really bring this book to life and raise it to another level. The entire book is done with the detail you see on the cover image above. Gregory’s face reflects his moods, his intentness, his creativity so clearly. The use of a fairly limited tan and brown palette really works here, uniting the boy and the beach without losing either one of them. The soft grainy illustrations capture the gritty feel of a sandy beach.
You will almost be able to smell the salt air with these illustrations. A vacation in a book, it is appropriate for ages 3-6.
This is a story of a beautiful day at the beach combined with a boy’s imagination. The words use some repetition of the father’s instructions not to go into the water or leave Sandy. I also appreciate a book where a child moves some distance away from a parent with no fear and uses his own ingenuity to return safely.
It is the pastel illustrations by Cooper that really bring this book to life and raise it to another level. The entire book is done with the detail you see on the cover image above. Gregory’s face reflects his moods, his intentness, his creativity so clearly. The use of a fairly limited tan and brown palette really works here, uniting the boy and the beach without losing either one of them. The soft grainy illustrations capture the gritty feel of a sandy beach.
You will almost be able to smell the salt air with these illustrations. A vacation in a book, it is appropriate for ages 3-6.
August 29, 2019
I loved the story and the illustrations in this one. A perfect summer read. Gregory and his dad are at the beach. Gregory draws a lion named Sandy in the sand. His dad tells him not to leave Sandy and not to go in the water. Gregory begins to draw Sandy's tail and it stretches farther and farther along the beach...allowing him to explore and see a jellyfish, a ghost crab, a sand castle and other things along the beach. He (technically) follows his dad's rules but ends up farther from dad than he should be...
Such a sweet tale of curiosity, exploration, creativity and a warm, loving relationship between father and son.
Such a sweet tale of curiosity, exploration, creativity and a warm, loving relationship between father and son.
December 29, 2021
Everyday diversity, PLAY, WRITE, LETTER KNOWLEDGE
May 4, 2017
Follow the tail and you will find you missing family. Retelling of Hansel and Gretel on a beach, with a stick but no witch.
July 13, 2017
In A Beach Tail, young Greg finds a loophole in his father's instructions to stay near a lion he drew in the sand and to stay away from the water at the ocean. By drawing a lengthy tail down the sands of the beach, Greg never technically leaves the lion but ends up far away from his father (who finds humor in the situation, despite the apparent distance between them). A simple story with soft and realistic illustrations, A Beach Tail might be appropriate for storytime, but may not hold the kind of excitement necessary to capture the attention of a group of little ones for an extended period. As Greg explores the beach, the audience will learn about typical sights at the ocean.
May 8, 2022
A Beach Tail by Karen Lynn Williams falls under the genre contemporary realistic fiction. This book has won no awards. The age group that this book is made for is 4-7 years old. This book is about a boy and his father spending the day at the beach. Then the boy goes on an adventure when he draws a lion in the sand. I rate this book 5 stars. The reason for this is because the illustrations are very detailed. Also, the plotline of the story where he draws the lion in the sand and makes the tail longer. Then he had to follow the tail back to the starting point. In the end this book would appeal to younger readers because of the pictures.
May 17, 2022
Gregory and his father are at the beach, and Dad says "Don't go in the water, and don't leave Sandy." Sandy is the lion Gregory has drawn in the sand. Sandy's tail gets longer and longer as Gregory explores the beach and encounters interesting and intriguing items in the sand. Loved this "tail" of an innovative and curious child. I do think that there might be some context missing for kids - why wouldn't you go into the water at the beach? Adult readers may need to provide some explanation about safety, since it's not explicit in the text. Nevertheless, an enchanting story with gorgeous realistic illustrations from the inimitable Floyd Cooper.
September 13, 2022
Gregory is spending the day at the beach with his dad. Gregory draws a lion in the sand and names the lion Sandy. Gregory’s dad tells him not to move away from Sandy. So, Gregory begins to draw Sandy’s tail in the sand. Gregory continues to draw Sandy’s tail in the sand as he is exploring the beach. Gregory realizes he cannot see his dad or Sandy as he makes his way down the beach. Gregory follows Sandy’s tail back to Sandy and his dad. This book is a good children’s book that tells a fun story of a boy hanging out on the beach with his dad.
May 8, 2022
the genre for this book is contemporary realistic fiction. the age this book is recommended for is 4- 7 years old. this book is about a boy named Greg he was playing on the beach and his dad said don't go in the water. He makes a long tail for sandy the lion in the sand. he gets lost and has to follow the tail back to his father. at the end he got to go in the water with his dad. i give this book a 5-star because i t told a great story. it has great colors and illustrations.
August 19, 2018
A boy and his father are at the beach. The boy draws a lion. The father points out that the lion needs a tail. He tells the boy not to go in the water or leave the lion. The boy draws a LONG tail, encountering all sorts of critters and things you find on the beach. When he's done, he looks for his father, but can't see him. He follows the drawn tail back to the lion and his dad.
November 21, 2019
An interesting early childhood book about an African American father and son who had an opportunity to bond while on the beach. Beautiful sepia illustrations using a sandy beach as their canvas. Very few words while using vivid rhythmic and repetitive sound effects. Young children should be encouraged to use their imagination and express their thoughts throughout the pages.
June 7, 2020
The illustrations in this book are breathtaking. And the story is so, so sweet. My 4 year old liked it, but my 19 month old LOVED it. He immediately started flipping back through to look at the pictures as soon as we finished the story. I loved that even though he couldn't see his daddy, daddy knew exactly where he was the whole time.
April 16, 2021
It doesn't say much about the state of publishing today to note that it is really nice that there is such a cute book about a creative little Black boy and his father having a day at the beach together...but it is because a celebration of family life in a kids' book for Black characters is still far too rare.
July 22, 2021
This was a very sweet "beach" read. The story follows Gregory and a lion he draws in the sand. Gregory's dad tells him to not leave the lion and to not go in the water, but as Gregory draws a longer and longer tail, he gets farther and farther away from his father until he follows the tail back. Cooper's illustrations are just gorgeous!
July 27, 2017
Gorgeous illustrations! Perfect for sharing reflections on a day at the beach. Lots of craft lessons inc repetition, imagery and more word choice to inspire writers! Great mentor author and illustrator to explore.
July 4, 2018
Gregory and his father are spending a day at the beach. When Gregory draws a lion in the sand, his father tells Gregory that Sandy, the lion, needs a tail. That tail takes Gregory on a journey along the beach, winding around jellyfish, hermit crabs and leading him back again safely.
July 3, 2019
A simple, gentle story about playing on the beach and using landmarks to find your way back if you become lost. I got disoriented playing on the beach a few times as a kid, so this one rang true with me.
June 15, 2017
Floyd Cooper illustrations set at the beach? Yes, please.
August 15, 2017
I totally felt like I was Greg exploring the beach. Through the eyes of babes....
June 1, 2018
Meh. The idea of the book is cute, but it didn't really do anything for me, I found it a bit boring (plus a number of dead sea creatures were involved, which I'm not a fan of). The pictures are nice.
June 29, 2018
Reminds me of the magic of walking along the shoreline as a kid. With big, beautiful, realistic illustration that is perfect for storytime.
January 14, 2019
Easy read about a safe beach day
Displaying 1 - 30 of 94 reviews