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Play Littletail's Jigsaw Puzzle

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Illustrated by Daniel Howarth

Longtail is faster and cleverer than Littletail -
but that won't be forever. And at the end of a busy day, as they curl up in their nest, Longtail reminds Littletail of one thing that will stay the same - always and forever ...

"This is one of those standouts where text and illustrations are in perfect unison ... has the potential to begin a loving tradition in any young family.”

KIRKUS REVIEWS

"Wonderful for bedtimes and storytimes, this is a simple, heartwarming tale of companionship and a parent's unconditional love.”

Linda Stakus, SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL

Read these reviews

Gullane Children's Books

UK Hardcover • ISBN-10: 1862336210 • ISBN-13: 9781862336216

UK Paperback • ISBN-10: 1862337071 • ISBN-13: 978-1862337077

UK Boad Book • ISBN-10: 186233787X • ISBN-13: 978-1862337879

Scholastic Press

US Hardcover • ISBN-10: 0439916542 • ISBN-13: 9780439916547

US Boad Book • ISBN-10: 0545209587 • ISBN-13: 978-0545209588

Click here for details of foreign language editions.

Illustrations © 2007 Daniel Howarth. Reproduced by permission of Gullane Children's Books.

As is often the case with my books, the story for this book was inspired by the title, which was originally just “Always and Forever”.  The phrase cropped up in a conversation with my children¹ and it struck me as a very appealing and evocative title for a picture book.  When I looked it up on Amazon (something I routinely do with ideas for book titles) I was surprised to find that, at that time², it had not been used for a picture book, so I thought that I should write one.

The story was originally about two squirrels, Bigbrush and Littlebrush, playing in a tree.  The structure of the story was similar to the published version, only with different activities such as nut-cracking and piggy-backing.  However there was something unsatisfactory about this early version and it was turned down by all of the publishers that I showed it to.

So I put the story to one side, but kept coming back to tinker with it every six months or so until eventually I realized that the problem was that the child never got the better of the parent in any of the activities, which was very unsatisfactory, particularly from a child’s point of view.

Daniel's early sample illustration of Longtail and Littletail.

So I wrote another draft, changing the characters from squirrels to mice and changing the activities to three games. Littletail’s size allows her to be the best at the last game, follow the leader, demonstrating that childhood has it’s advantages and making up for Littletail’s disappointment at being only second-best in the earlier games.  This, and some improvements to the rhythm of the words, seemed to give the story a far more satisfying feel.

This new version of the story was taken by Sophie Winter-Cole at Gullane, who suggested Daniel Howarth to illustrate the book.  Sophie sent me a small sample illustration that Daniel had done of Longtail and Littletail (shown opposite), which was so full of character and warmth that it was obvious that he was the perfect choice.  I think Daniel’s finished illustrations are beautiful and I’m particularly impressed with the way that he incorporates intricate natural details like insects and flowers.

1: I was trying to explain the difference between the two words.

2: Later that year, another picture book with the title “Always and Forever” was published, which is one of the reasons that the title of this book was subsequently changed.

	This book is for Mum

Father and daughter mice beautifully illustrate the special bond between parent and child in Emmett's latest. Littletail and Longtail spend the day in the forest playing games: chase, hide-and-seek and follow the leader. Although Littletail is good at these games, Longtail is always better. But Longtail reassures her that he won't always be better-someday she will be faster, cleverer and just as big as he is. But one thing will always be the same, no matter what: "I love you always and forever."
This is one of those standouts where text and illustrations are in perfect unison. Howarth's huge mice take center-stage, giving readers a mouse's perspective and highlighting his masterful portrayal of facial expressions. He achieves the ideal balance between cuteness and realistic detail. Like others in this style, this has the potential to begin a loving tradition in any young family. (Picture book. 2-8)

KIRKUS REVIEWS

 This is such a charming tale of Littletail and Longtail, unusual in that it is a story of a daughter and her father, instead of a child and mother. Littletail is full of frolic as she scampers through the day. Longtail, the constant, loving father, is with her all the time. The concept of the quickness with which children grow, equalling or surpassing their parent in strength and size, is too true, but adulthood will never come soon enough in a child's eyes. Littletail is clever, but Longtail is cleverer; she is fast, but he is faster; he is small, but she is smaller and able to squeeze between the roots of an old tree where he is not, providing the only reversal of the pattern. The only thing unwavering is his love for her "…that will be forever." Howarth's illustrations are as delightful as they come. Detailed, friendly expressions as well as soft, soothing surroundings create a comfortable story to snuggle with. It is sure to be a favorite at bedtime, naptime or any kind of snuggle time!

CHILDREN'S LITERATURE

Daddy and daughter mouse play happily together in the green outdoors. Littletail is fast, but Longtail is always able to catch her when they play chase. She is clever too, but Longtail can always find her when they play hide and seek. When Littletail complains, Longtail explains that it is not forever. One day she will grow up and be faster and cleverer than him. And that also means that one day she will no longer be able to squeeze between the roots of trees where right now he can't follow! So much is not lasting when it comes to being young, but, Longtail assures her, his love for her really is forever. Robust and charming illustrations support a familiar story concept – but one that bears retelling nevertheless.

BOOKTRUST CHILDREN'S BOOKS

 Two brown field mice, a father and daughter, scamper and scurry through the woods on a bright, sunny day. When Littletail challenges Longtail to a race, he wins, but he reminds his downcast youngster that one day she will be too big for him to catch. During hide-and-seek, Longtail easily finds Littletail, but he reminds her that she will grow to be cleverer as well. In a game of follow the leader, her father gets stuck because he is too big to follow her through the roots of an old tree, and he tells a triumphant Littletail that one day she will be as big as he. That evening, just before a very tired little mouse falls asleep in their cozy nest, Longtail kisses her good night and tells her what will last "always and forever." Large, realistic illustrations filled with wildflowers and berries provide a soothing backdrop to the mice romping in the woods. Wonderful for bedtimes and storytimes, this is a simple, heartwarming tale of companionship and a parent's unconditional love.

Linda Staskus, SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL

This lighthearted board book is a sweet addition to the many parent-child mutual admiration society offerings. Two mice, Longtail (Daddy) and Littletail scamper about the forest and the trees playing every game from hide and seek to catch me if you can to follow the leader. At each juncture, Longtail catches his daughter and hugs her close.
Short and sweet, this tender tale reinforces a daddy’s endless love for his daughter. Little girls and their daddies will read this bedtime book over and over. A Valentine’s Day, Father’s Day, anyday book for the littlest mice and their keepers.

Lisa Rojany Buccieri, NEW YORK JOURNAL OF BOOKS

"I Love You Always and Forever," by Jonathan Emmett, is the story of two mice, Longtail and Littletail, who play catch, hide-and-seek and follow-the-leader in the forest. As they scamper around and the older mouse usually comes out the winner, Longtail reminds the youngster that, one day, things will change and Littletail will grow up. But, he reassures her, his love for Littletail will remain constant.
This tender story, embellished with even sweeter paintings by Daniel Howarth, is the perfect bedtime read.

Krys Stefansky, THE ROANOKE TIMES

Both words and watercolors express such tenderness in this story of a father mouse and his young daughter enjoying a day in the forest together. From cover to cover, as Longtail swings Littletail playfully through the air, chases her through the clover, or follows her through a maze of tree trunks, the reader can hear her giggles blend into the soft background hum of the bumble bees, beetles, and other insects. All is peaceful, sunny, and loving in the forest.
Jonathan Emmett writes a story that skillfully and poetically develops the world of loving play from a child's perspective. Kids will understand Littletail when she realizes she can't run as fast as her father; they know how she feels when she can't hide well enough that he can't find her. However, they also will understand why she feels so proud when she can crawl into some small spaces her father can't fit. And, kids will definitely understand when Longtail says he will love her "always and forever."
The watercolor illustrations by Daniel Howarth build on the tone that Emmett creates. By painting expressive faces full of joy, realistic backgrounds complete with beetles and caterpillars, and greenery and soil so rich that they almost smell like the damp forest, he helps create this story that is fun, insightful, and sensitive.

Patricia Tauzer, COMMON SENSE