ADVANCE REVIEWS:
“Tail Tale Too follows Wally, a curious and confident boy with a big imagination and a habit of believing he knows best, until experience teaches him otherwise. Each chapter shows Wally calling on a magical Tailor to give him different animal tails—a monkey’s, a fox’s, and a peacock’s—hoping each one will help him tackle a challenge. But every tail ends up backfiring in funny or unexpected ways….The writing is clear and rhythmic, with just the right balance of silly and sweet. Wally feels like a real kid, not just a lesson-delivery system….The artwork is bright and whimsical, perfectly matching Wally’s big personality and wild tail adventures. Each page bursts with colorful details that bring the characters and their emotions to life in a way that’s both playful and inviting. Tail Tale Too is a charming picture book with heart, humor, and a lot of wisdom tucked inside its playful pages. I’d recommend it for kids aged 4 to 8, especially the ones who like to figure things out on their own, even if it takes a few missteps. It’s also a sweet read-aloud for parents and caregivers who know the value of letting kids stumble and shine.” — Literary Titan, rated 5/5
Kessides’s delightful protagonist, Wally, returns in this follow-up to A Tail Tale. This time around, Wally is all about trying new things, though he struggles with the idea that his way may not be the best way to get those things done. When his mom asks for his help with chores, Wally turns to his old friend, the Tailor—an eccentric character who fashions tails for all the animals—and requests a custom tail that would make housework a breeze. The Tailor quickly gives Wally a monkey tail, which sparks a bout of fevered dishwashing, vacuuming, and more, compelling Wally to wish he’d asked for a less industrious choice.
Kids will find Wally’s antics comical and entertaining, and his sidekick and best friend, Snoo the Snake, is a sarcastic, witty addition….While Wally spends his time deciding which tail best fits different situations, Snoo slinks along in the background, warning of all that could go wrong—and his facial expressions, penned by illustrator Sarah Gledhill, are hilarious.
Wally may not be the quickest learner, but his enthusiasm and eagerness make him a joy to watch. Kessides’s ending finds Wally and Snoo putting their heads together to solve the problem of an injured beaver, and, luckily, the pair devise a brilliant idea, sans help from the Tailor. Kids will be eager to see what this comedic couple comes up with next.
Takeaway: Delightful story of a boy and his snake wins hearts and laughs.
Comparable Titles: Brad Montague’s The Fantastic Bureau of Imagination, Vikki VanSickle’s If I Had a Gryphon. — BookLife Review
“Wally, the star of the author’s previous title, A Tail Tale (2025), returns with a new take on an old problem. The ambitious Wally is eager to use different animal tails to help him with a variety of tasks….Each episode in this charming tale about the dangers of taking shortcuts is instructive and entertaining….” — Kirkus Reviews
“Wally, Tailor, and Snoo are back, facing a new set of life challenges in the fanciful world of Tail Tale Too by Christine Kessides. In this episode, Wally, a young boy with a vivid imagination, and his trusty sidekick, Snoo the snake, encounter a series of situations where Wally feels he needs assistance. Snoo often provides unsolicited commentary on Wally’s decisions, adding humor and insight along the way. Wally calls upon his go-to problem-solver, the magical Tailor, who can create tails for any predicament. A monkey tail for chores, a fox tail for camping… It’s all about choosing the right tail for the right occasion. But is it always the best solution? When a beaver needs assistance, will Wally rely on Tailor’s creations, or will he find another way to get help?
Have you ever imagined how having a tail could make life easier? Tail Tale Too by Christine Kessides combines silliness with valuable life lessons, creating a clever and engaging story. Kessides’ characters exude whimsy, and her writing vividly brings to life a magical world for them to inhabit. As Wally and Snoo navigate comical encounters, they learn valuable lessons about friendship, trial and error, and thoughtful choices. Problem-solving is a central theme in this book, where versatility and the importance of reflection and evaluation are introduced in a fun and easy-to-understand way. Sarah Gledhill’s expressive illustrations perfectly complement the text and add to the engaging quality of the book. Readers who enjoy easy-to-understand modern fables will appreciate Tail Tale Too!” — P. Rosenthal for Readers’ Favorite – 5 star review
“Award-winning author Christine Kessides wrote a terrific come-back with Tail Tale Too. In this sequel, Wally is back, looking for new adventures. With an inventive and curious nature, Wally ends up delivering several comedic shenanigans with his old pals, a magician named Tailer, and Snoo the snake. Again, the message is clear and well-written: being yourself is the key to happiness and friendship. Illustrator Sarah Gledhill’s combination of imaginative and funny illustrations keep young readers engaged. A 5-star read!” — Award-winning children’s author, Raven Howell
“Those who enjoyed A Tail Tale will be pleased to again find Wally going to the Tailor for tails to try to help solve his problems while Snoo, the clever little snake buddy, shares wise reminders with Wally. Lessons of learning from our mistakes and the importance of being kind and helpful are included in this fun and colorful sequel story, Tail Tale Too.” — Connie Jameson, author of Twinkle Toes and Slow Down, Tommy Turtle
“Wally and his friend Snoo, the snake, are at it again, asking the Tailor for advice and for tails that will suit Wally the best. Wally has tails from monkeys, foxes, and peacocks, but in the end, the story teaches a valuable lesson about finding gratitude for what we have and beauty in our own ability to solve problems. With beautiful illustrations by Sarah Gledhill, in the same fashion as book one, this book will enchant readers and feels similar in some ways to an Aesop’s Fable. This book would be great for primary-age children and is a bonus to the original book, A Tail Tale. The author’s thoughtful writing and play-on-words keep children and readers of all ages engaged in the story….The moral of the book, that we can find strength or capabilities within ourselves to solve our own problems, is a valuable lesson for readers of any age.” LitPick 5-star review
“Tail Tale Too is a wonderfully creative and delightful story, perfect for school or home. The story shows that taking the easy route isn’t always the best idea, an important life lesson….In addition to the fantastic storytelling, the artwork was outstanding. Snoo looked adorable in his hat, scarf, and bow tie. As for Wally, kids will find his tail images quite funny. (Illustrations by Sarah Gledhill) Share this spectacular story with preschoolers and early elementary students (3 to 9 year olds), and be sure to read A Tail Tale, the first book in the series.” — K. Brook on Reedsy