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Giraffes Can't Dance (Hardcover)
by Giles Andreae (Author) , Guy Parker-Rees (Illustrator)
| Category:
Story, Self-recognizing, Picture book, Ages 4-8, Children's book |
| Market price: ¥ 178.00
MSL price:
¥ 168.00
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| Stock:
In Stock |
MSL rating:
 Good for Gifts |
| MSL Pointer Review:
A wonderful story about a great moral message that how each of us has a place in this world and a unique way of living into that place, if we can only find the right "music" to live by. |
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Description |
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Author: Giles Andreae (Author) , Guy Parker-Rees (Illustrator)
Publisher: Orchard
Pub. in: September, 2001
ISBN: 0439287197
Pages: 32
Measurements: 12.0 x 9.7 x 0.4 inches
Origin of product: USA
Order code: BC00263
Other information:
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- MSL Picks -
Gerald the giraffe doesn't really have delusions of grandeur. He just wants to dance. But his knees are crooked and his legs are thin, and all the other animals mock him when he approaches the dance floor at the annual Jungle Dance. But an encouraging word from an unlikely source shows this glum giraffe that those who are different just need a different song, and soon he is prancing and sashaying and boogying to moon music. In the vein of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Gerald's fickle "friends" quickly decide he's worthy of their attention again.
This book teaches your child about differences in people in a fun loving way. This is the most precious story about how being different is okay and how you can still be good at something even though you have to go about it a little "differently." Gerald was initially ridiculed by the other animals for being a terrible dancer. In this case Gerald thinks he's a bad dancer. His negative perception is reinforced by the other jungle animals whom Gerald thinks dances perfectly. The other animals tease Gerald. He doesn't seem to "fit in" with the crowd. Gerald's problem is: he is trying to dance their way. He needs to find his own style. His dancing is admired by the other animals in the end. This book is wonderful. This book demonstrates, in its storyline and text, that there isn't always just one right way to do something. In other words, we may all have a unique approach. Good and bad examples abound in real life, and with parents' guidance they all provide rich learning experiences for children. Given that, with your guidance, this book imparts to children: a) There is often more than one way to do something, b) courage and perseverance pay off, and c) teasing hurts.
Target readers:
Kids aged 4-8
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Giles Andrae is the author of My Grandson is a genius. He is the creator of Purple Ronnie, Britain's favourite stickman. This phenomenally selling successful cartoon character has made Giles the country's top selling poet and an icon of contemporary popular culture.
Over 35 million cards and 1 million books have been sold, Giles has also had many children's books published. The first, Rumble in the Jungle, was an instant success and sold more than 500,000 copies. The Lion who wanted to Love was published to rave reviews and won the Federation of Children's Book Groups Best Picture Book Award in 1998. More recent publications include Giraffes Can't Dance and There's a House inside my Mummy. Giles's children's books have sold more than 1.5 million copies, making him one of the most successful chidlren's authors working today.
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Gerald is a giraffe who simply can't dance. Try as he may, his long, spindly legs buckle whenever he starts to boogie. Every year he dreads going to the Great jungle Dance, until one night he finds his own special music.
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| View all 8 comments |
C. Albright (MSL quote), USA
<2006-12-30 00:00>
This book is a wonderful story about how each of us has a place in this world and a unique way of living into that place, if we can only find the right music to live by (or dance by in Gerald's case)! Great for use with children AND with adults! Enjoy! |
Boris Bangemann (MSL quote), Singapore
<2006-12-30 00:00>
Gerald the Giraffe is one clumsy animal. He's good at standing still and munching shoots off trees but when he wants to join the other animals at the Jungle Dance, they only laugh at him. Not for long, though. His friend the cricket knows how to play the music that inspires Gerald to dance like John Travolta in his best days. Gerald is transformed because "we all can dance... when we find music that we love." Giraffes Can't Dance is my personal favorite among Max's books. The story is familiar to many kids who go to kindergarten and learn that their peers can be picky about who belongs to the pack and who does not. In the book, the exuberant illustrations of Guy Parker-Rees take the sting out of Gerald's initial rejection by the other animals. Watching the Rhinos rock'n'roll and the lions "dance a tango that was elegant and bold," balances Gerald's sadness. The emphasis of the story is on Gerald's joyful transformation, anyway. Just read Gerald's jubilant "I am dancing! Yes, I'm dancing! I AM DANCING!" with enough liveliness and watch the kids identify with a flying giraffe. After all, the lesson is that you can excel and enjoy who you are even if, at first, the world does not play your tune. With a little help from his friends, Gerald finds out that "sometimes when you're different you just need a different song." Let me add one short paragraph on Gerald's helpful friends, the cricket and the three small bugs that are hiding on every page. These four little fellows are an ingenious device to soften the impact of the emotional story. Kids are in love with details; once they know what to look for; they will tirelessly search for the bugs and the cricket, and point them out to you. Hint: play dumb and they will have a party. |
A reader (MSL quote), USA
<2006-12-30 00:00>
I bought this book for my 2 yr old and he loved the story from the beginning. After the first read we realized that the cricket was on every page of the book. Boy did we have fun looking for it on the second time around. After ten different readings we finally found all the crickets. the story is a good one when you watch your toddler show empathy for Gerald. I highly recommend this book! |
Sydelle Jones (MSL quote), USA
<2006-12-30 00:00>
A rare find, this book isn't just vibrantly illustrated, but the story is awesome as well! The reviewers that have rated this five stars have already summed the book up perfectly! The only thing I can add is my experience when quite discriminating friends, researchers and teachers, have been over and read the book to their children. It was immediately purchased for their own child and, I was informed, has become a staple in gifting occasions. We have had the book for 4 years and still haven't tired of it! We, includes our 7 yr, 5yr and 18 mo old children. It is a favorite and a must-have to those of you looking for the best to add to your collection. |
View all 8 comments |
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