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How Rabbit Lost His Tail

* Nominated *
2004 Oklahoma Book Award for Illustration & Design
* AWARDS *
2005 Oklahoma Book Award - Directors' Choice for Series

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Hardcover - 32 Pages
Retail - $15.00 USD

Story by Deborah L. Duvall
Drawings by Murv Jacob

Publisher: University of New Mexico Press ©2003

Excerpt:

Rabbit, whose name is Ji-Stu, was in a big hurry.

He walked down the path into the forest as fast as he could go. That night all the animals would meet at the dance grounds and he could not be late.

The path to the dance grounds followed the river that ran through the Cherokee lands. In some places where the river curved, the water formed deep pools that reflected the river bank above. Each time he passed such a pool, Ji-Stu stopped just long enough to look at his reflection, for he was very proud ....

— Synopsis —

Rabbit, whose Cherokee name is Ji-Stu, is known far and wide for his splendid tail. It is bushy and long, and covered with thick, silky fur, and Ji-Stu shows it off at the dances.

All the girl animals want to dance with Ji-Stu and his beautiful tail. But one night Otter comes to the dance, and both Ji-Stu and his tail are forgotten when the girls see Otter's magnificent coat. Impressed by Otter, the animals plan a council to decide who in all the forest owns the most beautiful coat.

Now Ji-Stu must find a way to trick Otter out of his coat in time to win the contest. But in the end, the trickster rabbit loses much more than he bargains for.

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