Today's read is the 2nd in a series, and nope, I haven't read the first. But I'm pretty sure that won't be an issue, in this case. When I saw the tree house and a giraffe, I picked this one right up. There is something wonderful about giraffes, and they aren't starring in kidlit that often. Plus, I wonder what it would be like to sit in the tree house and, suddenly, have a giraffe's head pop up next to you. My husband just finished up a huge tree-platform/deck-thingy (12x13ft). So, tree houses are on my mind.
Anyway, let's see what this giraffe is up to.
THE TROUBLE WITH GIRAFFES
Pet Club #2
by Lisa Mantchev
Illustrated by Taeeun Yoo
Paula Wiseman Books
Picture Book
32 pages
ages 4 to 8
COMING SEPTEMBER 16th!!!
A girl and her pet giraffe are friends despite their difference in size in this tender picture book companion to the bestselling and acclaimed Strictly No Elephants.
A girl knows having a pet giraffe poses some difficulties, like finding a way to take walks together with legs very different in length. And her giraffe doesn’t fit into the clubhouse door for Pet Club. But the Pet Club members come together to find a way for him—and everyone—to be included. Because that’s what friends do.
Strictly No Elephants has been sold around the world and is heralded as a pitch-perfect book about inclusion. Now, readers can celebrate the importance of both inclusivity and accessibility in this new companion that is full of new friends to love.
A girl knows having a pet giraffe poses some difficulties, like finding a way to take walks together with legs very different in length. And her giraffe doesn’t fit into the clubhouse door for Pet Club. But the Pet Club members come together to find a way for him—and everyone—to be included. Because that’s what friends do.
Strictly No Elephants has been sold around the world and is heralded as a pitch-perfect book about inclusion. Now, readers can celebrate the importance of both inclusivity and accessibility in this new companion that is full of new friends to love.
MY TIDBITS
A tiny bit of fantasy works wonders in this adorable read about friendship and spending time together.
A little girl loves spending time with her pet giraffe, but sometimes, it feels like she has so little in common with her animal friend. From food choices to playing in the mud, they often don't enjoy things completely together. But the know how to meet in the middle and that's fine. Until it's not enough.
This giraffe and girl will make animals fans smile and dream of the possibility of having their own, unique pet. The book takes the girl and the giraffe as naturally as if it were a girl and her cat. The two get along marvelously, and while the giraffe is remains the pet, its understanding of the circumstances takes on human intelligence. In other words, it's hard not to wish that this giraffe could be your pet, too. Everything is wholesome and fun until the girl wants to shield her giraffe from the rain and has a small accident, which leaves her in a leg cast. All of this is presented in a completely age appropriate manner, since the accident itself is never depicted. Just strongly lead up to it. After that, the giraffe has to slow down and take care that the girl can keep up with it. Then, the book flips this around, again, to show how give and take in friendship can work. It's inspiring and warming.
The illustrations are done with love and have a slightly lighter color direction (not overly bright and bold), which fits well to the tone of the tale. It's fun to flip through these and visit the tale without the text. The text flows very well, though, and keeps the story interesting the entire way through. This makes it an ideal read-aloud or even for more sure readers to tackle on their own.
Especially the ending draws smiles and even offers ideas, which might lead to some activities for readers to do as well...I'm thinking picnics with friends and more. It's a lovely story, which is interesting and holds quite a bit of goodness while embracing animals along the way.
And here they are...
Lisa Mantchev is the author of many picture books, including the internationally acclaimed Strictly No Elephants and The Trouble with Giraffes, both illustrated by Taeeun Yoo; Remarkables, illustrated by David Litchfield; and Someday, Narwhal, illustrated by Hyewon Yum. Lisa lives on the Olympic Peninsula of Washington State. Learn more at LisaMantchev.com.
Taeeun Yoo has twice received the prestigious New York Times Best Illustrated Children’s Book Award. She has illustrated many books, including Strictly No Elephants by Lisa Mantchev, which has been published in fourteen countries. The New York Times called it a “sunny, smart, tongue-in-cheek tale.” She is also the illustrator of Kitten and the Night Watchman by John Sullivan, which received five starred reviews and was named a best book of the year by many publications. Her other books include So Many Days and Only a Witch Can Fly, both by Alison McGhee, and Round by Joyce Sidman. Taeeun was also the recipient of the Ezra Jack Keats Award and the Society of Illustrators’ Founders Award. She lives in South Korea with her family.
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