Review - The Short Giraffe

The Short Giraffe
by Neil Flory
illustrated by Mark Cleary
Date: 2013
Publisher: Albert Whitman & Company
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 24
Format: e-book
Source: library

Geri is the shortest giraffe in the herd, which causes all kinds of problems when Boba the baboon tries to take a photo. Can Geri stretch up tall enough to be in the picture? Or are the other giraffes looking at things from the wrong perspective? A very sweet story for preschoolers about difference and acceptance.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

This book for very young readers tells the story of a very short giraffe who can't quite get his head into the frame to take a herd picture. The other giraffes try all sorts of things to raise him up--from stilts to helium to springs--but he's just too short. It isn't until a smart caterpillar makes a suggestion that the giraffes finally manage to take a really great photo.

The pictures are simple, but cute and colourful. I like the facial expressions on the giraffes.

This is a basic story, but it shows good problem-solving skills. I'd probably recommend this to preschool kids, as it probably won't hold as much appeal for older readers.

Quotable moment:

Premise: 4/5
Meter: n/a
Writing: 4/5
Illustrations: 3/5
Originality: 4/5

Enjoyment: 3/5

Overall: 3.5 out of 5