Title: Corky Tails: Tales of a Tailless Dog Named Sagebrush: Sagebrush Meets the Shuns
Author: Joni Franks
Publisher: XlibrisUS
ISBN: 978-1-5434-2800-1
Pages: 34
Genre: Illustrated Children’s Book, Pets
Reviewed by: Beth Adams
Pacific Book Review
As the title of this book suggests, Corky Tails: Tales of a Tailless Dog Named Sagebrush: Sagebrush Meets the Shuns, author Joni Franks has written a fairytale about a tailless dog named Sagebrush, an obvious pun indeed. In this “episode” of Sagebrush’s adventures, the dog wanders off into the forest and meets these tiny people living in trees called Shuns. Being a dog, she sniffs out the Shuns and just as understandably the Shuns are afraid of Sagebrush, as she is much larger than the Shuns and they think they may be eaten! But the kind-hearted Sagebrush is more curious than hungry, after a few moments they begin to introduce themselves. It is then we learn the background story to who the Shuns are and why they are living in a tree in the middle of the forest.
As it turns out, the Shuns have retreated into the deepest parts of the forest because of the logging operation clear-cutting the trees, using the timber to make things for the humans. The Shuns believe the forest is a sacred place and should be left to the animals and dwellers of the woods; as the humans don’t own the Earth all to themselves. But there seems to be no stopping the big machines of the logging operation, even though the Shuns try in little ways.
So when the loggers begin to destroy the actual tree the Shuns call home, Sagebrush rushes in for the rescue. The Shuns ultimately take a ride on Sagebrush’s back as the dog brings the little people to her home on a farm where her dog parents, Maverick and Ginger live; who by the way were quite worried about Sagebrush disappearing for hours into the forest. Once all is explained to the human who owns the farm, the Shuns are given a safe haven inside a tree on the farm’s property – away from the loggers – to live happily ever after.
This book is great for children being read this story, morals such as the conservation of the natural resources of Mother Earth, respect for little creatures and how the wisdom of a dog’s innocence is more sensible than human’s grabbing resources to build their homes and have paper. With the creative illustrations by Raquel Rodriguez, Joni Franks depicts a fanciful set of inhabitants to the forest in which children will identify with. I really enjoyed the ending illustrations showing the Shuns holding hands and dancing under the loving eyes of Sagebrush, her parents and the owner of the farm – a very happy ending.
This book sets the stage for more stories of the smart and caring K-9 Sagebrush. The inspiration for the character came from a real dog whose photograph is shown at the end of the book. Combining the storybook Sagebrush with the real dog will imprint a pathway in children’s minds taking them from the real world into the imagination of an enjoyable fairy tale – even if the protagonist doesn’t have a tail of her own to wag. A beautifully illustrated enjoyable book, I hope to see more adventures of Sagebrush to come in future Corky Tails.
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