Title: The Tails of Linda Place: Kurt and Nibby
Author: Josephine E. Hernandez
Publisher: XlibrisUS
ISBN: 978-1-7960-5279-4
Genre: Juvenile Fiction/ Animals
Pages: 24
Reviewed by: Beth Adams

Read Book Review

In an imaginary location called Linda Place, there were children, animals and many squirrels. Among the many furry creatures was the toughest, strongest and scariest squirrel named Kurt Mudgeon. Feared by all others, including the human’s cat named Plato, Kurt was collecting nuts from all the other squirrels, stealing them so to speak, building up his stockpile of nuts – enough which would be able to last him for three lifetimes – if nuts were money Kurt would be a millionaire! Kurt’s cousin Nibby did not fear Kurt, and was able to approach him. As time marched on, Kurt became old and frail, and Nibby took care of him. As winter approached one year, Nibby placed Kurt in a hollowed-out tree on a bed of leaves, feathers and twigs to ride out the winter; yet in the springtime it was found out Kurt had died, and was then properly buried.

Author Josephine E. Hernandez has created a story with a mildly sad ending, yet one displaying the cycle of life and a morale of caring for older family members, no matter how they behaved in their youth or as an adult. I found it interesting how Hernandez used the term for an aging disease she called “forget all” which, of course, is a form of dementia or Alzheimer’s. Kurt had “forget all” and actually forgot where he hid his stash of nuts! The personification of the squirrels makes for a wonderful way to explain to children the families’ responsibilities to care for their elders, and when the death of an older family member occurs, it is the natural sequence of life’s events. The detailed illustrations interlaced throughout this book of having Kurt seem strong, then becoming older by having to be helped to walk, to a peaceful old sleeping furry squirrel having seen better days, visually drills into children the changes of aging having upon every living creature. Yes, life is short and precious, and being a miser hording nuts from others does not make for a better or longer life, as one can only eat just so much food within their lifetime, and having more than one needs proves to be a lesson of selfishness, where sharing with all would make for a happier life.

The Tails of Linda Place: Kurt and Nibby leaves off with the possibility of more stories from Josephine E. Hernandez about the group of furry friends at Linda Place to be written for the further enjoyment and education of little boys and girls everywhere to read.