Welcome to Perfect Picture Book Friday! I’m so glad to be back after the summer hiatus. I hope this post will be a help to those who love picture books and want to share them with their own children or those they teach.
Orchard Books 1999
Fiction for ages 3 to 8
Themes: individuality, dancing, animals
Opening and brief synopsis:
Gerald was a tall giraffe
whose neck was long and slim.
But his knees were awfully crooked
and his legs were rather thin.
It’s time for the annual Jungle Dance in Africa. Poor Gerald is sad because he can’t dance like everyone else. All the other animals laugh him off the dance floor. As Gerald walks away a friendly cricket shows Gerald that all you need to dance is the right kind of music and the willingness to try something different.
Why I like this book:
The first reason I like it is that my thoughtful husband brought it home for me as a gift from the bookstore. He picked it out all by himself! Secondly, the rhymes in this book are outstanding! I also love the theme to be yourself and listen to your own inner music.
Resources:
Plenty! I found a number of videos on YouTube, just search “Giraffes Can’t Dance.” I also found two websites with lesson plans: Plan 1 and Plan 2 and a bingo style story game.
Perfect Picture Book Friday is a wonderful idea started by Susanna Leonard Hill. For other “Just Right” books, visit her blog.
I have this book in my classroom but I've never read it. So thanks for your summary - I think it will be a good one to read after reading The Dot, which I'll be doing next week.
ReplyDeleteThis book sounds adorable, and I love a book with creative rhymes. I'll look for it at the library!
ReplyDeleteCute! I will have to add this to my list. The first lines are so appealing!And that cover...adorable! Thanks for bringing it to my attention!
ReplyDeleteI love the cover! What a great story to teach about believing in yourself! :)
ReplyDelete"Be yourself and listen to your own inner music."
ReplyDeleteSuper theme!
Guy did a wonderful job with the cover! Anyone catch monkey watching Gerald dance carefree?
"Dance as if no one where watching!"
We have this one tucked away somewhere and I read it to my son Arthur so many times I had it memorized at one point! It's a fun story and I love how Gerald followed his heart in the end.
ReplyDeleteI just love giraffe stories and this one on individuality and dancing fits the tee. Thanks for sharing. :)
ReplyDeleteI, too, am a sucker for giraffes! And my eye is always drawn to this cover. Love it!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a fun book that kids will really connect with. The resources look great! Thanks for the review and adding it to the list.
ReplyDeleteI love giraffes too. I think it is lovely that hubby brought it back for you, too! That cover is cool.
ReplyDeleteGiraffes are such a delightfully ungainly-in-a-graceful-way sort of creature. Love that cover! Thanks for introducing us to this book.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful message to listen to your own inner music. I love that your husband bought it for you. It sounds like a winner. The cover is engaging.
ReplyDeleteThis book looks wonderful, Jennifer! I love the cover art and that appealing giraffe! And what a great message. Thanks so much for sharing this one! :)
ReplyDeleteI love this book, Jennifer. I read it to my k-kids every year - often around anti-bullying day. Last year we created dancing giraffes; they were as individual as the kids and stinking cute.
ReplyDeleteI have to agree with Patricia on this one, she took the words right out of my mouth. How sweet, and listening to ones inner self, love the cover!
ReplyDeleteThis one would be perfect after a trip to the zoo. I love giraffes, knobby knees and all.
ReplyDeleteThanks everyone for stopping by. Yes, the giraffe is a lovable character and great for this book!
ReplyDeleteOh, how my kids would just love this book! What a fun cover and the opening line is great. I don't blame you for loving it...a gift from your husband? Thats just the best!
ReplyDeleteI found this book through a dancing picture book blog over the summer. My son loves, loves this one.
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