Tailey Whaley: A Tale of a Whale with a Whale of a Tail

Tailey is a little whale with a big problem. While it is true that his tail is rather large and gives him the ability to soar over the waves, as well as through them, his problem is with a group of other whale kids who are mean and rude. The pod he and his mother Kailey live with has a lot to learn about being fair and friendly. Kailey and Tailey leave the group and learn to live on their own. Tailey grows bigger and amazingly kind. One day the two hear shouts for help and being the whale that he is, Tailey ends up saving the very whales that had teased him to tears, from a ship of hunters. He is a true friend and offers to teach the others how to be too. Charles Boyle has written a fun tale that gently guides the youngest of readers to be kind and compassionate. It isn't often that a children's book can pull off a lesson in morality and still be lively and entertaining but Charles has done it. The illustrations of Everett Davidson are warm and inviting and ultimately friendly in their own right. Tailey Whaley IS indeed, a whale of a tale.

I share a lot of books with my preschool classes and this is one of the year's biggest hits. It's on top of the book pile and my kids grab for it all the time. I like its message and the kids identify well with the storyline - a cross between Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer and Dumbo. The moral is subtly conveyed and a good one for these times. I highly recommend it.

Tailey Whaley is an inspiring book. Out of all the books my 5 year old neice can choose for a bedtime story, she picks Tailey....all the time. The illustrations are exploding and the story line exciting and suspenseful. She especially enjoys the fish commentaries which help her to understand the lesson the book has to teach.

Tailey Whaley will captivate a child's imagination. It is a colorful and interesting way to teach lessons which are vital to the healthy development their character. "Tailey" has the promise of becoming a true children's classic.

Once in a while, a children's book comes along that entertains, delights the eye, AND gently nurtures the soul. Such is the case with Tailey Whaley. In this 33-page illustrated storybook, a whale is born with a special trait -- a tale that is so unsually formed that he can FLY! Of course, as in the real world, the other little whales think Tailey is different, and proceed to poke fun at him. Whaley and his mom flee. When Tailey becomes an adult, he is placed in a position to save those very whales who taunted him. Tailey must make an important decision, and he does. The parting message is that every friend is different, and anyone who finds a true friend has found a treasure. Thus "treasure" of a storybook is highly recommended for beginner readers, as well as a book to read to the toddler set. Author Charles Boyle has created a magical and sensitive story in Tailey Whalie, one that can be enjoyed over and over again. --Karen Plunkett-Powell, author, The Nancy Drew Scrapbook