This is a fun book that children will love to read. My library will definitely be buying this book. I can't wait to see children love it as much as I did!

I read this with my kids and they enjoyed this story! They loved the unique and creative artwork and the fun story line. It is becoming a favorite and has been requested many a night at our house.

This book was not at all what I expected based on the title, but it turned out to be a very sweet story about two different communities coming together after an event involving animals. Overall, I found the story to be truly beautiful, focusing on the importance of understanding one another and seeing beyond our differences.

The illustrations in this book are vibrant and interesting and I like the explanation of how the ostriches became stretched out. I liked the concept of this book, but I felt like the moral of the story is a bit lost. Themes of jealousy and maybe even a class system were present, but not well fleshed out.

I am always excited to read folklore and this book delivers a very quirky origin story for the ostriches' long neck. For fans of stories like "How Skunk got his Stripes", this is a wonderful addition to the bedtime story repertoire. The storytelling feels a bit choppy and there are multiple sentences per page, so this book is better for slightly older children with a better attention span/reading comprehension. 3.5 stars

‘A Tall Tale’ by Scott Sollers is intended to be a cultural read but comes across more like a Dr. Seuss-style book. It aims to entertain with whimsical language and illustrations but may not fully achieve its goal.

Plot: ★★☆☆☆

The plot is very lacking. Although it aims to present a cultural story, it feels underdeveloped and somewhat disjointed. It lacks depth and fails to provide a compelling narrative. The whimsical nature may appeal to some readers, but it doesn't compensate for the lack of a solid plot.

Character: ★★☆☆☆

The characters are very lacking in depth and development. They feel one-dimensional and do not leave a lasting impression. The story doesn't provide enough background or personality to make them relatable or memorable.

Illustrations: ★★☆☆☆

The illustrations are kind of cute but do not stand out. They have a simple charm, but they don't add much to the story or make it more engaging. They feel more like filler than a vital part of the narrative.

Engagement: ★★☆☆☆

Engagement is low. The story struggles to hold the reader's attention due to its weak plot and characters. The whimsical style may attract some readers initially, but it lacks the substance to keep them invested throughout the book.

Readability: ★★★☆☆

The readability is average. The language is simple and easy to understand, but it lacks the rhythm and flow that make similar books more enjoyable to read aloud. It doesn't have the same catchy and engaging quality as a Dr. Seuss book.

Enjoyment: ★★☆☆☆

Overall enjoyment is low. The story doesn't provide much in terms of entertainment or educational value. While it might have moments of charm, it ultimately falls flat and fails to deliver a satisfying reading experience.


‘A Tall Tale’ by Scott Sollers attempts to blend cultural storytelling with a whimsical style but falls short in execution. With a lacking plot, underdeveloped characters, and average illustrations, it struggles to engage readers and provide a memorable experience. The book may appeal to some for its light, easy-to-read nature, but it doesn't offer much beyond that.

This is a little old for my daughter now but I think she'll love this when she's older! I particularly love that the author wrote this for his daughter. My dad similarity made up stories for me, and how sweet and amazing to publish them! 5 stars!

This reminded me of the Kipling's tales I read as a child. Those were always amongst my favorites, and I really enjoyed this book as well!

This book is awesome! For the lessons it teaches, for the illustrations, and the characters. The book is very clever and so wonderful for all children to read. I love the colors selected in the artwork. Bright and beautiful. And again, I just love the message behind this book. 5 stars!

I-What? There was nothing *bad* about this book, it was just really weird to read without any context.
I must say: this author is very, very creative. This book just caught me very off-guard. It was not what I was expecting at all. I think part of that was because I didn't see the second half of the title before reading it: How the Ostriches Got Their Long Necks and Long Legs. I do genuinely think that kids will find this book interesting and maybe even funny.
Back to what I said earlier: this author is wildly creative. This book is so unique. I would have never thought of a story like this, and I think very few people out there could have come up with this either. People don't think about how things came to be very often, but this book decided to take a stab at crafting a cool tale about how ostriches' necks and legs got to be so long.
There is just one thing I would change. I don't understand why the humans in this story have to be so short. I understand that it creates juxtaposition once the ostriches are tall, but I don't think it adds to the story. Honestly it just confused me further.
Overall, though, interesting and unique book.

I received a copy of this eBook from netGalley for a honest review.

How did ostriches get their long legs and necks or maybe a better question how did the No-haves and the Have-alls become friends? A cute, inventive story for little kids to enjoy with fun pictures.

The idea for this story is cute, but I don’t think the execution worked very well. I also wasn’t a fan of the illustrations. The colors were not eye catching, and the the people and animals were kind of creepy. Just didn’t work for me, and I don’t think many kids would be big fans either unfortunately.

This tale of how ostriches got their long legs and long necks gives the reader a chance to consider why sharing is important.

While I think this book has good things, I did not like it. An African tale written by a white man with caricature-seeming illustrations made me uncomfortable. Too often, I have had students uncomfortable with books that may reinforce a stereotype, so I am not willing to take that risk.

The writing was clunky and lacking the subtly children can handle for a moral.

Thank you to Net Galley and Mascot Kids for the eARC! All opinions are my own.

We teach Tall Tales as part of the curriculum in Ontario. I liked the idea of this but the storytelling just didn’t grab me. The names of the towns could have been more unique and the illustration style was not appealing as other Tall Tales I already have in my collection.

This children book was a very informative story on how ostriches got their long necks and long legs. It’s written by Scott Sollers and illustrated by Alejandro Echevez, I absolutely adored the pictures in this.

The story is very imaginative and is perfect for a young reader’s library collection. It’s an easy read and is filled with such great illustrations. I loved learning more about the origins of the ostrich and am sure children will adore this story!

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Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with access to read this book!

This is a cute little story that would make a great read before bedtime! It’s entertaining, has a positive message, and the illustrations are very well done.

Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read an advance copy!

I received an ARC of “A Tall Tale: How the Ostriches Got Their Long Necks and Long Legs” from NetGalley, Mascot Kids, and IBPA in exchange for an honest review.

Written by Scott Sollers and illustrated by Alejandro Echevez, this picture book tells the story of two different tribes—the Have-Alls and the No-Haves in the land of I Want It—and how, through their fighting, the Squatz became Ostriches.

A a cute little story that is vividly illustrated, this book is perfect for reading to children before bedtime. In fact, this story is perfect for that occasion because it can quickly be read by tired parents who still have a lot to do before they themselves get to bed. The story is imaginative, but simple. With some picture books, parents do need to delve into explanations regarding some concepts that appear in PB’s. But this story does away with all of that. In many ways, this story reminds me of many indigenous stories about legends that have been retold for children (e.g., see Paul Goble’s “The Legend of the White Buffalo Calf Woman).

Overall, this is a great book to pick up for kids and great for parents, too. This book will satisfy children before bedtime who always yearn to be read to and told stories.

I do love a tall tale and this one was a fun story of how the Ostrich came to be. I enjoyed the storytelling in this novel.

The art style was a little off for me.

The teacher in me worries a little bit about the cultural depictions in this novel.

The moral at the end is tasteful and meaningful though.

Thank you to NetGalley for this e-copy of A Tall Tale by Scott Sollers.This is a great story that teaches a lesson about community, sharing and seeing beyond oneself to others and how we can help them.The No -Haves and the Have- Alls lived side by side in different parts of a valley . The Have- Alls had everything their heart desired including Squatz as pets. The No- Haves lived in a barren area with no water and harsh conditions. When the No- Haves invade the Have- Alls’ land and fight over the Squatz,it is the. That the Have-Alls learn the importance of sharing with others who are less fortunate.Great story for preschoolers.Love stories like this that teach a lesson and have a moral.

A Tall Tale is a great fable about the origin of ostriches, but it is much more than that too. This book discusses class privilege in an easy to understand way. The illustrations were vibrant and engaging and the story definitely had a message for children to learn. The writing style did not always work for me as it leaned very heavy into the lesson, but I appreciated the levity in the ending. Overall, I think kiddos will enjoy this one!

Thanks to NetGalley, Scott Sollers, and Mascot Kids for the chance to read and review!