Friends of Montclair Library

Today is World Giraffe Day, celebrating these fascinating creatures who manage to be somehow simultaneously elegant and awkward. Why not pick up one of these picture books to help celebrate?

Giraffes Can’t Dance by Giles Andreae (J PICBK ANDREAS) – Gerald the giraffe is too clumsy to dance with all the other animals at the Jungle Dance, until he finds the right music.

A Giraffe and a Half by Shel Silverstein (J PICBK SILVERSTE) – If you know a kid who likes repetition and silly rhymes, this book is for you!

One Word from Sophia by Jim Averbeck (J PICBK AVERBECK) – All Sophia wants for her birthday is a pet giraffe, but as she tries to convince different members of her rather complicated family to support her cause, each tells her she is using too many words until she finally hits on the perfect one.

The Short Giraffe by Neil Flory (J PICBK FLORY) – When baboon comes to take a photo of the tallest animals in the world, there is just one small problem: Geri is the shortest giraffe in the world!

Zarafa: The Giraffe Who Walked to the King by Judith St. George (J 599.638 ST GEORGE) – When the ruler of Egypt gives a giraffe as a gift to the king of France, she sails up the Nile by felucca, crosses the sea by brigantine and walks the last five hundred miles to her new home in Paris, with people greeting her along the way. Based on a true event. If this story captures your imagination, you can read other versions of it: Zeraffa Giraffa by Dianne Hofmeyr and A Giraffe Goes to Paris by Mary Tavener.

Giraffe Meets Bird by Rebecca Bender (J PICBK BENDER) (not at Montclair) – At first Giraffe is excited when the egg in his tree hatches, but the baby bird soon grows annoying — until danger forces the feuding pair to work together.

Oh Dear, Geoffrey! by Gemma O’Neill (J PICBK O’NEILL) (not at Montclair) – Geoffrey is a very clumsy giraffe who has trouble making friends, until he discovers he can find friends just by being himself.

When Elephant Met Giraffe by Paul Gude (J PICBK GUDE) (not at Montclair) – Loud, boisterous Elephant learns how to be friends with calm, quiet Giraffe.

Abigail by Catherine Rayner (J PICBK RAYNER) (not at Montclair) – Abigail the giraffe wants to count the spots on her animal friends, Ladybug, Zebra, and Cheetah, but when they move too fast for counting, Abigail comes up with a new plan.