For parents who might have a future gymnast at home, Tumble Tails (Tilley Tumble: The Tumbling Bunny) by Beth Thompson is a wonderful story about “the busiest, bounciest and bendiest little bunny in Barley Burrow”. When she receives a leaflet about an opening of a new gym, Hoppa’s Gymnastics Club, the little bunny who dreams of being a “famous gymnastics superstar” is very excited. The next day, when Tilley and her parents arrive at the club, excitement turns to nervousness when she tries her first apparatus. Being the bounciest and bendiest bunny is not enough. Gymnastics also requires strength, endurance, coordination, and bravery. Will Tilley tumbles through her first gymnastics class successfully?

Tumble Tails is an engaging picture book that will have young readers’ full attention from start to finish. Illustrated by Beth Thompson herself, the pastel colors are eye-catching and easily add the "extra" fluffiness to the story and its bunny characters. Personally, I love the subtle reminders that gymnastics practice at home is risky. One could accidentally end up breaking Mommy's favorite vase or lamp or stepping on the cat's tail. Gymnastics is one of the exciting sports that kids love but－as young Tilley Tumble finds out－it is also physically and mentally demanding. This picture book does an excellent job of showing young readers that even though things don't go well on the first try, practice and determination will definitely bring little successes that will add up. Simply put, a wonderful tale from Thompson.

Tumble Tails: Tilley Tumble, by Beth Thompson, is a children’s illustrated book about Tilley, a small girl rabbit who loves to move. She jumps, twitches and gyrates her way through her everyday life, and unfortunately causes some problems along the way by doing so. But one day she discovers a gymnastics club and signs up. Through the encouragement of those around her, Tilly is able to focus her energy into something more positive.

Although a fictional rabbit is used as the character, she represents the pent-up energy that many children have. In discovering the world around them, though, accidents can and do happen, shedding a negative light on their actions as though the children are misbehaving. This is unfortunate since this is one of the ways that children are able to learn about life right in front of their noses. So I appreciate how the author chooses to focus the energy into something Tilley can use in a positive way to grow and learn and reach her a long-time goal as well.

I found the artwork to be charming and inviting, definitely suited for young children’s eyes. It gave the right amount of detail for this type of book. I think that Tumble Tails: Tilley Tumble works well on two levels: first as an encouragement to children who find themselves filled with lots of energy and seemingly no practical way of expressing it. And second, for parents and adult guardians to realize that there are positive ways to channel all that energy. Highly recommended.