Giraffe Problems

 

(Image from Amazon.com)

SUMMARY

Edward the giraffe does not like his neck.  He says it's too necky.  He thinks it's not practical... and it always gets in the way.  It isn't until Cyrus the turtle affirms him and tells him that he's been admiring his long giraffe neck.  Edward helps Cyrus reach a banana from high in a tree, and then they become friends, admiring each other for their differences. 

APA CITATION

John, Jory. Giraffe Problems. Random House Books for Young Readers, 2020.

 

MY OPINION & RECOMMENDATIONS

This book is so unique and funny! The author uses humor to make a point that differences are good! I would use this book at the beginning of a school year to talk about how our differences make us who we are.  It's good that we aren't all the same.

This book would be fine across any grade level; however, I would probably primarily choose this book for younger elementary grades.

PROFESSIONAL REVIEW

Necks come in many sizes, and sometimes those sizes seem inconvenient.

Edward the giraffe is unhappy about his neck. It’s so…“necky.” Despite fancy adornments and multiple attempts to hide, Edward is unable to accept his longest-lasting problem—his neck. That is, until he meets his complete opposite: a turtle named Cyrus whose problem is also his neck. It’s too short. He desperately wants a banana but can’t reach it. Together they solve each other’s problems and delight in each other’s strengths, thereby also learning to accept themselves as just right. Smith’s artwork is eye-catching and expressive, with a retro feel, using earth tones and geometric shapes to evoke texture and dimension. The story, though lively, does not soar as high as Edward’s neck, remaining earthbound due to well-worn tropes and a too-tidy ending. Additionally, the author has missed out on a STEM opportunity by failing to introduce animal nomenclature, simply labeling the animals Edward believes are staring at him (a warthog, a crocodile, and other animals) as simply “This guy,” “That guy,” and so forth. A clever bit of paper engineering does enable readers to take part in the story for a brief moment. Learning to appreciate one’s body in all its complicated and even ungainly forms is a laudable moral—one that should hide itself behind a more original story.

Skip this stretch of a story and seek out stronger friendship titles instead. (Picture book. 5-8)

John, Jory. “Giraffe Problems.” Kirkus Reviews, Random House, 25 Sept. 2018.