In the last few weeks I feel like quite a few new picture books about giraffes have come across my desk and I thought 'must do a giraffe display' and then lo and behold I find out from the radio that it is World Giraffe Day so now I have no excuse. I collected my favourites first... Shel Silverstein's A Giraffe and a Half, first published 50 years ago, then Roald Dahl's The Giraffe, the Pelly and Me. Giraffes Can't Dance by Giles Andreae always makes me smile because I have fond memories of a preschool Christmas concert when the children performed this book.My Year 1 Book Club group and I look at true animal stories and the children are always fascinated by the giraffe who walks to Paris and we now have four different versions of this story, each with its own distinctive illustrations. Now for the best of the new ones. I love Giraffe on a Bicycle by Julia Woolf. This debut book really made the children laugh. Can't wait for her next book. Another new one, Blue and Bertie by Kristyna Litten has a wonderful message about coping with change, inclusion and acceptance of difference, perfect for the age group I teach.
See all the library's giraffe books here.
I only know of three versions of the giraffe who walked to paris - The Giraffe that Walked to Paris by Nancy Milton, A Giraffe Goes to Paris by Mary Tavener Holmes, and Zarafa: The Giraffe Who Walked to a King by Judith St. George. Which am I missing? Which is your favorite? Also, there is a new book out about Clara, a rhinoceros who was taken to Europe this year, as well as an older version of the same book. My Travels with Clara (old) by, again, Mary Holmes, and the just-published Clara: The (Mostly) True Story of the Rhinoceros Who Dazzled Kings, Inspired Artists, and Won the Hearts of Everyone by Emily Arnold McCully.
ReplyDeleteWe also have Zeraffa Giraffa by Dianne Hofmeyr and Jane Ray. The children I teach like this version best.I think mostly because of the illustrations, but I like the Milton version, writing-wise. I have looked up Clara and I will order one. It looks good.
DeleteI had no idea there were so many books about the sad story of the giraffe that was taken to France and caused a fashion trend only to be dumped when something else became the fashion. I sent you the pin of the one we have. I need to track down the others. This would make an interesting book study comparing the different ways of telling this true story.
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