Otis Steele and the Taileebone!: A Southern Tall Tale
"Don't take what ain't yours. You should have known. Just because it was lyin' there and looking so, That's no reason for you to take my taileebone!" It's dark and scary in the deep woods, and a hungry trapper isn't as alone as he thinks. With two hound dogs and no food, Otis Steele is desperate for a good meal-so desperate that when a great, big critter with glowing eyes and long, sharp claws creeps into his cabin, Otis hacks off its tail with one blow and fries it up for dinner! But after Otis devours the creature's taileebone, the wind begins to moan: "Taileebone! What've you done with my taileebone?" His brave hounds scamper into the woods, and Otis is left alone to face the horrible creature searching for his taileebone. This traditional Southern legend is chillingly retold with wild, whimsical illustrations by renowned artist Jeff Crosby. The larger-than-life characters and eerie refrain will haunt readers long after this tale is done. A multi-talented musician and singer, Tom McDermott travels around the U.S. and Ireland, performing and making author visits with a unique combination of story, humor, and music for all ages. His work has been published in Storytelling Magazine, and he has received numerous awards, including first place in storytelling at the National Irish Storytelling Contest. McDermott is the author of The Ghouls Come Haunting One by One, also published by Pelican. He lives in Fort Worth, Texas. Jeff Crosby earned his BFA from University of North Texas and his MFA in illustration from the School of Visual Arts in New York. He has been a freelance illustrator for clients such as the New York Times, Village Voice, Entertainment Weekly, GQ, Salon.com, and Highlights. Crosby has illustrated several children's picture books. He lives with his daughter and wife, also an illustrator, in Austin, Texas.