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The Tails of Furry Logic
A Story About Business for Young Entrepreneurs
The Tails of Furry Logic reflects a broad range of popular stories most often including fables, animal tales, and other folktale genres in order to showcase the underlying principles of how kindness, truth, and courage are substantial ways to live a good life, and as a side note, become a successful entrepreneur. These tales carry on the age-old depictions of universally relatable situations and traditions. A shocking number of today’s children under the age of sixteen have successfully created startups. And even though we have stringent labor laws, children have found a way to do workarounds. They sell on the Internet and/or raise millions for good causes. Like most sole proprietors, they wing it with a brilliant idea and passion. Aspiring young entrepreneurs need a primer on best practices. They need a foundation that even a six-year-old can appreciate. They need a guide to business ethics. This book provides easy-to-understand lessons learned from classic business scenarios and case studies told as modern-day parables. The animals who run their businesses in this small village show how good triumphs over bad, how lying and cheating never work, how inclusiveness and kindness win the day every time. I grew up with parents who both worked. I heard how to run a business at the dinner table. As a single mother who raised three boys while starting a major business, I know what it takes to inspire the next generation. Each one of my sons literally worked in my business and got a hands-on all-encompassing experience. This book augments that conversation. It helps simplify the discussions. It’s a book designed for intelligent children with parents who have started their own businesses and are trying to explain the process to their children. Businesses have rough patches and celebratory times. Learning how to take calculated risks, how to pick yourself up after failure, how to have fun, and how to inspire others should be part of running a business. Nature and caring for the earth plays a major part in the stories. As an amateur naturalist and conservationist, I feel a great business has to be in tandem with doing the right thing; and as a marketing expert in today’s world, aligning oneself with ways to save the planet wins clients. Finally, it is my hope that adults enjoy the humor and discover a few new facts while reading to their children and that the ninety-eight illustrations will help inspire the use of different voices when reading out loud.
“Marilynn Deane Mendell, a gifted businesswoman, author and artist. Shown with three of her creations: The Tails of Furry Logic, her new book for ages 6-18 on entrepreneurship. Gorgeous prints of her stunning illustrations. Elbow Grease + Chicken Fat, her innovative book on business including delicious recipes from her years as a famed Western NY caterer."
—Char Jones, Book Critic, December 2025
“Running a business is full of both joy and sorrow, and The Tails of Furry Logic captures the travails in a charming way, with rich lessons and inspiration for young readers. It brings a fresh approach to the genre, featuring characters who come to life as leaders, CEOs, and entrepreneurs. There’s never been a better way to teach kids about business.”
—Douglas Fruehling, Editor-in-Chief, Washington Business Journal, Washington, DC
Marilynn Deane Mendell’s The Tails of Furry Logic is part woodland fable, part business handbook, and entirely a labor of love. Designed for “young entrepreneurs,” it bridges the gap between Aesop’s timeless morality tales and modern lessons in running an ethical, resilient business. Told through the eyes of a village of forest creatures—bears, birds, weasels, deer, and more—it offers a gentle yet unflinching look at what it really takes to build and sustain a business rooted in integrity. Read more >
—Virginia Writers Project
The book is an introduction to business ethics for smart children. Each chapter is a parable or a lesson about different things that you shouldn’t do if you want to be successful in business: don’t lie, cheat, or steal. It’s not a picture book-think more like The Wind in the Willows. And it’s also a book meant for children who have parents in business and who appreciate the woods and nature. Read more >
—DAR Daughters of the American Revolution Washington-Lewis Ledger
Story Time
I have three sons who have become successful in life and in business. They were constantly read to as children. I told them stories about Charlie and the Ten Magic Fingers as we went through the grocery store. I made it up as I went. Story-telling is a mainstay of marketing and public relations which I have employed for forty years. These stories are my vision of allegories children can relate to and enjoy.
"I look at these characters that are filled with so much personality everyday. They hang in my parakeet colored powder room where many guests remark how extraordinary the artwork is. It’s hard to choose a favorite, but I think it would be Ben. He’s just so playful and mischievous but I really do love them all!”
-Janet Bahmer
Willingness and Expertise to Help Sell my Books
With over thirty years in marketing and public relations, I'm more than qualified to help pitch. I have a social media/contacts platform of 12K and I can count on my clients as well as my connections in academia and publishing to help. I'm a national speaker who is ready and willing to travel to support book signings.
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As a serial entrepreneur, I began my first business with a high school education, grew it to one of the largest and best catering businesses in Western New York. I’ve been accused of being able to spin things into gold and sell the Brooklyn bridge. I founded the non-profit The World Water Center which Rotary International folded into their program. And I’m currently specializing in growth strategy, marketing, branding, and public relations with a wide variety of clients. WinSpin CIC, Inc. www.winspincic.com I serve as an adjunct professor at Georgetown University, George Mason University, and The University at Buffalo.
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I’m consistently active on social media platforms. I have 8,208 curated connections on LinkedIn, and my regular electronic newsletter goes out to 4000+ with a 50% open rate. These numbers expand as my clients push the books on their social media platforms. I’m a member of the DC National Press Club. As an indie author, I created the content, design and production for both of my books – first Elbow Grease + Chicken Fat (EGCF), Business Advice that Sticks to Your Ribs where all but forty sold of 5,000 hard copies. That book is about to go online as a second edition digital copy. They sold on Amazon, at various indie bookstores, speaking events, and through my website. The Tails of Furry Logic is being sold in indie bookshops and the digital version will also go on Amazon. Geoffrey Cantor is producing the voiceover for the audio version. Many organizations that I belong to will support my books. For instance, Phi Beta Kappa publicizes their member’s books, the University of Buffalo reviews alumni books (EGCF was reviewed and published), local newspapers, and Washington Women in PR would publicize the books.
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My career as a publicist for twenty-five years has helped forge many wonderful friendships with editors. I many have contacts in the marketing departments of Netflix and Marvel. I know many people in global marketing for such companies as Mattel and a woman who sits on the board for the National Toy Association.
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I’m ready, willing, and able to go on book tours. My numerous national speaking engagements can be found on my website. I was featured on ABC Good Morning America along with other TV shows. I’ve been honored with many awards like the 2023 Gold Medal for Conservation from the National Society of the Daughter’s of the American Revolution, the New York State Department of Labor Woman of the Year 1988; Everywoman Opportunity Center Woman of the Year 1988. Nominated 2006 Washington Women in Public Relations as Woman of the Year. Washington Women in Public Relations elevated Mendell to their 2008 Woman of the Year. Phi Beta Kappa, BA in Philosophy, University of Buffalo.