Why do cats have tails? by David Ling

Ill. by Stephanie Thatcher. Starfish Bay Children's Books, 2016 ISBN 9781760360085
(Age: 4+) Recommended. Cats. Pets. Problem solving. Surrounded by their family's cats the little girls ask their Grandpa why the cats have tails. Grandpa thinks up some wonderful reasons which will bring gales of laughter to the listening crowd. He suggests that they might use them to swing through the trees, but the girls tell him that this is the reason monkeys have tails. He then suggests that they could use them to swish away the flies, but the girls tell him that cows use their tails in this way. Perhaps the tail helps them swim faster, he says, but no, cats don't like to swim. Suppose the cat uses his tail as a warning, but no say the girls, rattlesnakes do that. Grandpa then asks the girls to offer a suggestion and this is one the readers will discuss as they finish the book. The pastel illustrations add warmth to the story, but are a little washed out in my review copy. I do like the cat's paw endpapers. First published in New Zealand by Deep Creek Press in 2015.
Fran Knight