Oddtails is a series of illustrated children’s books that focus on animal characters that are
a little bit different from their peers.

For example, Roy the Eagle suffers from short-sightedness and therefore must wear glasses to help him see as well as the other eagles in his flock. Unlike her contemporaries, Emma the Giraffe has a short neck, which provides much amusement at her expense. Kate the Bear chooses not to dine on meat and fish like her fellow bears, opting instead for a vegetarian diet.



In each story the character is introduced, along with the aspect of its personality that makes it a little different, then an event occurs in which the animal utilises its individuality to save the day. The events that occur are primarily focused on environmental issues, which provide much needed awareness amongst younger readers. The stories are told in rhyme, with a melodic flow to the lexical structure, in order to keep the child’s attention, whether they are reading it or having it read to them.

The message that the oddtails stories send children is that all individuality, be it a physical difference or lifestyle choice, should be embraced positively and can be beneficial both to the individual and those around them. The stories also provide factual information about the animals discussed, so that the children can gain information and awareness in an entertaining environment.