HOW RABBIT LOST HIS TAIL

Seneca legend has it that Rabbit once had a long and flowing tail; Tompert (A Carol for Christmas, 1994) and Chwast offer a sturdy look at just how he lost it. Rabbit, busy snacking in a willow grove, is giddy and begins to race around a willow tree. Snow begins to fall, and ``it seemed to Rabbit that the faster he raced around the willow tree, the faster and thicker the snow fell.'' Exhausted, he falls asleep on a willow branch and doesn't wake up until spring, when he discovers that without snow, he is stranded high above the ground. Porcupine, Badger, and Beaver can't help the scared Rabbit climb down, but Squirrel suggests that he jump. Rabbit takes the plunge, but his tail remains behind, stuck in the crotch of the tree. Tompert has fashioned a good and simple porquoi tale from the Native American legend; Chwast's bold, color-drenched artwork, woodcut in style, gives the story a welcome verve. (Picture book/folklore. 4-8)