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Giraffes Can't Dance
Gerald the giraffe longs to dance, but his legs are too skinny and his neck is too long. At the Jungle Dance, the warthogs waltz, the chimps cha-cha, and the lions tango. "Giraffes can't dance," they all jeer when it's Gerald's turn to prance. But with some sound advice from a wise cricket, Gerald starts swaying to his own sweet tune.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published March 1, 2012
About the author
Giles Andreae
212 books143 followersGiles Andreae is the author of several children's books, including the best-selling Giraffes Can't Dance, illustrated by Guy Parker-Rees. He is the creator of Purple Ronnie, one of the most successfully licensed cartoon characters in his native England.
Giles lives with his wife and three children in Notting Hill, England.
Giles lives with his wife and three children in Notting Hill, England.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,889 reviews
April 25, 2018
" We all can dance when we find music that we love." This is practically a life motto of mine. I feel dancing can fix the world. We should force our government to dance all the time and they would be better policy makers. Anyway.
I love Giraffes and I love dancing. So this was a match made in heaven. I adore this book. The giraffe can really dance and boggie. It got the kids laughing as well. They enjoyed the book too. We all had fun with this. I got a little on a soap box and spoke of never making fun of someone's dancing as it is a personal expression all their own. I guess a soap box happens now and then. This is a feel good book.
Does anyone have books about giraffes to share? I would like to read more stories about them. They are awesome.
I love Giraffes and I love dancing. So this was a match made in heaven. I adore this book. The giraffe can really dance and boggie. It got the kids laughing as well. They enjoyed the book too. We all had fun with this. I got a little on a soap box and spoke of never making fun of someone's dancing as it is a personal expression all their own. I guess a soap box happens now and then. This is a feel good book.
Does anyone have books about giraffes to share? I would like to read more stories about them. They are awesome.
September 5, 2017
"Hey,look at clumsy Gerald, "
The animals all laughed,
"Giraffes can't dance, you silly fool,
Oh Gerald, don't be daft!"
Gerald the giraffe longs to dance, but his legs are too skinny and his neck is too long. At the Jungle Dance, the warthogs waltz, the chimps cha-cha, and the lions tango. "Giraffes can't dance," they all jeer when it's Gerald's turn to prance. But with some sound advice from a wise cricket, Gerald starts swaying to his own sweet tune.
The littlies will love this story purely for the cadence, rhythm and the beautiful illustrations.
Older ones learning to read on their own can take comfort from the fact that we don't all dance to the same tune and that we don't have to believe others when they tell us we are incapable of something.
Sure to bring a smile to the faces of all ages.
The animals all laughed,
"Giraffes can't dance, you silly fool,
Oh Gerald, don't be daft!"
Gerald the giraffe longs to dance, but his legs are too skinny and his neck is too long. At the Jungle Dance, the warthogs waltz, the chimps cha-cha, and the lions tango. "Giraffes can't dance," they all jeer when it's Gerald's turn to prance. But with some sound advice from a wise cricket, Gerald starts swaying to his own sweet tune.
The littlies will love this story purely for the cadence, rhythm and the beautiful illustrations.
Older ones learning to read on their own can take comfort from the fact that we don't all dance to the same tune and that we don't have to believe others when they tell us we are incapable of something.
Sure to bring a smile to the faces of all ages.
July 29, 2017
Fascinating illustrations and gripping narration!
There is nothing better to see than watching somebody do something that the entire world thought they can't do it just because they didn't fit in the system.
It is amazing to see how this book teaches not to believe on the discouraging words people tell about you. Rather get inspired and tell the world that you can do it.
There is nothing better to see than watching somebody do something that the entire world thought they can't do it just because they didn't fit in the system.
It is amazing to see how this book teaches not to believe on the discouraging words people tell about you. Rather get inspired and tell the world that you can do it.
September 16, 2024
همه ما یه استعدادی داریم، فقط باید زمینه ش رو پیدا کنیم تا بدرخشیم
November 14, 2016
One of the better touch and feel books aimed at young children; I liked the fact this book was big enough for my son to hold comfortably - and of course the textured areas on the pages meant there was greater space to feel!
My son particularly enjoyed the furry lion and the soft paws!
My son particularly enjoyed the furry lion and the soft paws!
March 1, 2016
We all can dance, when we find music that we love
February 9, 2017
Read this back in college and remember that my students loved it.
July 22, 2011
I love the cover. It’s so colorful and charming. The story inside? Well, maybe I needed to bring my much younger self to the forefront. I like the message re dancing to one’s own drummer, being different being more than just okay but something to celebrate, to aim to do something that doesn’t seem to come naturally. All positive messages.
It’s colorful and fun and has some positive things to say. But, somehow, for some reason, I couldn’t get past the anthropomorphizing of these particular animals, and especially the way the species relate to one another in ways they never would in nature. I should ban my adult self when I read books such as this because it sure intruded with this one. Also, while I liked the pictures, my favorite remains the cover illustration.
I can’t not like this book, but I was not as wild about it as I’d anticipated. And, as I see from the Goodreads members’ ratings breakdown, I’m in the minority. Maybe I was just in the wrong mood for it.
It’s colorful and fun and has some positive things to say. But, somehow, for some reason, I couldn’t get past the anthropomorphizing of these particular animals, and especially the way the species relate to one another in ways they never would in nature. I should ban my adult self when I read books such as this because it sure intruded with this one. Also, while I liked the pictures, my favorite remains the cover illustration.
I can’t not like this book, but I was not as wild about it as I’d anticipated. And, as I see from the Goodreads members’ ratings breakdown, I’m in the minority. Maybe I was just in the wrong mood for it.
August 7, 2024
منطق پشت داستان ایراد داره.
May 24, 2015
A wonderfully illustrated, fun tale depicting an important message through Gerald, the giraffe. All the jungle animals have their own specialty dance except poor Gerald. Their teasing and bullying has Gerald feeling sad and bad about himself. However, with a little advice and encouragement, he soon learns it's OK to be different and those who are just "Need a different song." Sashaying and boogying, Gerald finds his rhythm and shines.
My little grands love this story. The plot presents a great opportunity to discuss the harmful effects of teasing and laughing at others who are different, while at the same time encouraging those who don't fit into the average peg to delight and accept their uniqueness.
My little grands love this story. The plot presents a great opportunity to discuss the harmful effects of teasing and laughing at others who are different, while at the same time encouraging those who don't fit into the average peg to delight and accept their uniqueness.
May 21, 2010
I love giraffes and I love dancing--and I could tell by the cover art that giraffes CAN dance, despite the title ;-> This is a rather typical story of the main character feeling inadequate and made fun of by others who are "better" at a certain activity than he is--in this case, dancing--before discovering his own hidden talents at which point all the others are mighty impressed. But, the somewhat over-tired theme is made up for in the fun cast of characters (lions doing a tango, baboons dancing a Scottish reel), the endearing giraffe, and the sweet message at the end--everyone can dance when you find the music that is right for you.
Incidentally, the author created the Purple Ronnie character, one of the biggest cartoon characters in all of the UK. He sold the rights for 5 million pounds!!! I am really curious if anyone has insight into this phenomenon because I really cannot see how he made 5 mil. off this character:
http://www.purpleronnie.com/ But, then, maybe I am just super jealous!
Incidentally, the author created the Purple Ronnie character, one of the biggest cartoon characters in all of the UK. He sold the rights for 5 million pounds!!! I am really curious if anyone has insight into this phenomenon because I really cannot see how he made 5 mil. off this character:
http://www.purpleronnie.com/ But, then, maybe I am just super jealous!
December 31, 2011
Giraffes are one of my favorite animals so when I saw the cover of this one, I knew I wanted to read it. The message in Giraffes Can't Dance is that you shouldn't listen to others when they tell you that you can't do something. You should find your own way of accomplishing it. Gerald the giraffe learns that "we can all dance when we find music that we love."
The best part of this one for me, though, is the illustrations. If you've ever wanted to see warthogs waltzing, rhinos rock 'n' rolling, lions dancing the tango, and chimps doing a cha-cha, then this is the book for you. But my top favorite are the illustrations of Gerald dancing - doing a backward somersault while leaping in the air and at one point even striking a pose that looks suspiciously similar to a John Travolta move. :) You don't want to miss seeing a giraffe do that!
The best part of this one for me, though, is the illustrations. If you've ever wanted to see warthogs waltzing, rhinos rock 'n' rolling, lions dancing the tango, and chimps doing a cha-cha, then this is the book for you. But my top favorite are the illustrations of Gerald dancing - doing a backward somersault while leaping in the air and at one point even striking a pose that looks suspiciously similar to a John Travolta move. :) You don't want to miss seeing a giraffe do that!
October 2, 2022
The below review was written by my 11-month old. This is his favorite book, guaranteed to crack the grumpiest baby tantrum.
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High praise indeed! He's clearly already benefiting from increased confidence.
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High praise indeed! He's clearly already benefiting from increased confidence.
September 17, 2019
I see this book a lot - in the bookstore, in the library, even at Target. I always admire the cover - it’s so bright, with the bold colors and cute. This is why (judging a book by its cover) I was so excited when my littlest reader wanted to read this.
What a great message within the story! Loved it! More kids should hear, and hopefully understand the message. It’s okay to dance to your own song. It’s okay to be different. Love, love, love it, and so did both of my little readers.
What a great message within the story! Loved it! More kids should hear, and hopefully understand the message. It’s okay to dance to your own song. It’s okay to be different. Love, love, love it, and so did both of my little readers.
November 24, 2016
This children book recites the story of young giraffe Gerald through a series of marvelous illutrations .
When all the jungle animals gothered to show their dancing talents ,poor Gerald was bullied about his lack of talent .
This book depicted a great message about respecting other parties differences and finding ones own rythm.
When all the jungle animals gothered to show their dancing talents ,poor Gerald was bullied about his lack of talent .
This book depicted a great message about respecting other parties differences and finding ones own rythm.
December 30, 2019
Loved this. Beautiful illustrations and great story.
October 31, 2012
I was of course drawn to this book because it's about a giraffe, but fortunately it doesn't end there.
This is the story of Gerald the giraffe who is very good at standing still and munching leaves off trees, but "when he tried to run around / He buckled at the knees." Every year the animals held a jungle dance, the biggest do of the year, and the animals pull out all the stops:
When Gerald comes near the dance floor, though, the animals all start laughing at him because they know he's so clumsy. "They're right," he thought, "I'm useless, / Oh, I feel like such a clot." It takes the wise advice of a cricket with a violin to teach Gerald that all it takes is to find a "different song."
This book is still a bit advanced for my 1 1/2 year olds, though they like the bold and colourful illustrations - the text is a bit long for them and I'm not that good at using fun voices when I read. But it's an endearing story with fun rhyming lines and a simple message about being different, fitting in, not letting others get you down or make you feel ashamed, and that it's okay to do things differently. A great lesson for young kids who, they say, begin quite early to draw lines between Us and Them, between Like and Different.
This is the story of Gerald the giraffe who is very good at standing still and munching leaves off trees, but "when he tried to run around / He buckled at the knees." Every year the animals held a jungle dance, the biggest do of the year, and the animals pull out all the stops:
The warthogs started waltzing
And the rhinos rock'n'rolled
The lions danced a tango
Which was elegant and bold.
The chimps all did a cha-cha
With a very Latin feel,
And eight baboons then teamed up
For a splendid Scottish reel.
When Gerald comes near the dance floor, though, the animals all start laughing at him because they know he's so clumsy. "They're right," he thought, "I'm useless, / Oh, I feel like such a clot." It takes the wise advice of a cricket with a violin to teach Gerald that all it takes is to find a "different song."
This book is still a bit advanced for my 1 1/2 year olds, though they like the bold and colourful illustrations - the text is a bit long for them and I'm not that good at using fun voices when I read. But it's an endearing story with fun rhyming lines and a simple message about being different, fitting in, not letting others get you down or make you feel ashamed, and that it's okay to do things differently. A great lesson for young kids who, they say, begin quite early to draw lines between Us and Them, between Like and Different.
January 27, 2019
Gerald the giraffe overcomes the misconception - held by both his animal peers and by himself - that he it too awkward to dance in this sweet picture-book from British author/illustrator team Giles Andreae and Guy Parker-Rees. With an entertaining narrative whose rollicking rhymes - "Gerald was a tall giraffe / whose neck was long and slim. / But his knees were awfully crooked / and his legs were rather thin" - are sure to entertain, Andreae follows Gerald as he learns, with the help of a little cricket, that he just needs the right music in order to let loose and dance.
I liked the message here, that everyone needs to dance to their own drummer, that musical inspiration can be found all around us - in Gerald's case, in the form of the beautiful moon - and that we should have the confidence to just be ourselves. I also liked the text itself, which, with its fun rhyming scheme, makes for an engaging read-aloud selection. The pen, ink and watercolor illustrations are just adorable, with vivid colors and expressive animals figures and faces. All in all, a charming little book, one I would recommend to any young child who has felt self conscious, or worried that they don't have the "right" body type to dance.
I liked the message here, that everyone needs to dance to their own drummer, that musical inspiration can be found all around us - in Gerald's case, in the form of the beautiful moon - and that we should have the confidence to just be ourselves. I also liked the text itself, which, with its fun rhyming scheme, makes for an engaging read-aloud selection. The pen, ink and watercolor illustrations are just adorable, with vivid colors and expressive animals figures and faces. All in all, a charming little book, one I would recommend to any young child who has felt self conscious, or worried that they don't have the "right" body type to dance.
July 7, 2013
Gerald the Giraffe was very good at ‘standing still and munching shoots off trees'. However, what Gerald wanted to be good at, but was most definitely not, was dancing. At the annual Jungle Dance the warthogs did the waltz, the rhino’s did the rock and roll and the chimps did the cha cha cha. But Gerald simply froze on the dance floor, to the amusement of his friends that were shouting 'Giraffe's can't dance!'.
A somewhat sad and lonely Gerald found himself gazing up at the bright shining moon, listening to a wise and friendly cricket. The cricket says that dancing is all about the music and that maybe Gerald hadn't found the right song yet.... The night evolves into a triumphant encore performance by Gerald, shocking his jungle friends with his new found dance vocabulary.
A bright and colourful, fun book for children age five to seven. I thoroughly enjoyed this book because of its eloquent rhyming text that roles off the tongue and entertains the ears of primary aged children. The beautiful illustrations help to carry the story when reading it aloud to a class or if it is being read in guided reading time. The story promotes exploration into self-confidence, self-esteem and individuality. It could provide lesson material across the primary curriculum such as in Literacy; using it to develop skills in hearing and identifying rhyming words. In PE the book could be used to model and explore different dance styles; the waltz, the Scottish reel and the tango and just a few styles mentioned in the story. And in Art if feeling creative, children could design and make animal masks such as lion masks, baboon masks, giraffes, warthogs and rhinos too.
Enjoy this book as much as I did and get your dancing shoes on!
A somewhat sad and lonely Gerald found himself gazing up at the bright shining moon, listening to a wise and friendly cricket. The cricket says that dancing is all about the music and that maybe Gerald hadn't found the right song yet.... The night evolves into a triumphant encore performance by Gerald, shocking his jungle friends with his new found dance vocabulary.
A bright and colourful, fun book for children age five to seven. I thoroughly enjoyed this book because of its eloquent rhyming text that roles off the tongue and entertains the ears of primary aged children. The beautiful illustrations help to carry the story when reading it aloud to a class or if it is being read in guided reading time. The story promotes exploration into self-confidence, self-esteem and individuality. It could provide lesson material across the primary curriculum such as in Literacy; using it to develop skills in hearing and identifying rhyming words. In PE the book could be used to model and explore different dance styles; the waltz, the Scottish reel and the tango and just a few styles mentioned in the story. And in Art if feeling creative, children could design and make animal masks such as lion masks, baboon masks, giraffes, warthogs and rhinos too.
Enjoy this book as much as I did and get your dancing shoes on!
October 23, 2015
"We all can dance", he said, "when we find music that we love"
This book is not really new, but it's a good one. I thought a reminder would be a good idea.
Poor Gerald! His legs get tangled when he tries to dance! He is so ashamed and sad at the animals dance... But the magic of a cricket's violin will make Gerald dance as in a dream!
Giraffes can't dance is written in verse and illustrated in colorful pictures. I'm again posting a book with the message of knowing your own skills to excel in what you are good at, and respect the other because they are not like you, not better or worse, but different. I choose books like this for my kids pretty often since I think being self-confident and not judgmental of other is something they really should learn.
Age range: 4 to 7 years old.
Check out more children's book reviews in my Reviews in Chalk Blog!
This book is not really new, but it's a good one. I thought a reminder would be a good idea.
Poor Gerald! His legs get tangled when he tries to dance! He is so ashamed and sad at the animals dance... But the magic of a cricket's violin will make Gerald dance as in a dream!
Giraffes can't dance is written in verse and illustrated in colorful pictures. I'm again posting a book with the message of knowing your own skills to excel in what you are good at, and respect the other because they are not like you, not better or worse, but different. I choose books like this for my kids pretty often since I think being self-confident and not judgmental of other is something they really should learn.
Age range: 4 to 7 years old.
Check out more children's book reviews in my Reviews in Chalk Blog!
March 15, 2015
I loved the rhyming pattern and the message. Cute book!
March 28, 2024
I did not enjoy this. I found the flow of the story was off. It didn't make me feel anything. The illustrations were colorful, but even they never really pulled me in. This was an average read to me.
July 23, 2012
This is a brilliant story and makes me remember the sheer excitement of exploring the world of exotic animals and the exciting places they lived. The story uses colourful illustrations and a rhythmical storyline which provides a musical and fast paced feel.
The story is about a giraffe called Gerald who lives in the African plains of Kenya. The plains are filled with lively animals who just love to dance. Funny illustrations of waltzing warthogs, rock ‘n’ rolling rhinos and tangoing lions gives the story great humour and action. All the animals appear to be exceptional and talented dancers except for poor Gerald who just can’t seem to fit in and dance. As a result Gerald often gets teased by the other animals and after a rather embarrassing and critical moment at the Jungle Dance, Gerald is laughed out of town. With a little reflection and council from a wise old cricket, Gerald is freed from his self doubt with a lively and colourful twist. This message is written in an exciting and rhythmical way enhanced by the beautiful and colourful illustrations.
I like this book as it has a positive message to deliver to children about finding your own style but also not to expect others to have the same abilities. It encourages them to be more open minded when they meet new people and enjoy the diversity of the world. Children will be able to identify the various creatures detailed in the book. The characters are loveable and humorous and the book has wonderful creative illustrations that set out the scenes.
These books can support literacy by encouraging imagination and development of word language and can also inspire creative games, oral stories and writing in Y1 and lower Y2. The detailed illustrations ensure the story is used as visual aid on an interactive whiteboard. This book would also be appropriate for independent reading for developing readers as it has a variety of words that will extend the children’s vocabulary and interests.
The story is about a giraffe called Gerald who lives in the African plains of Kenya. The plains are filled with lively animals who just love to dance. Funny illustrations of waltzing warthogs, rock ‘n’ rolling rhinos and tangoing lions gives the story great humour and action. All the animals appear to be exceptional and talented dancers except for poor Gerald who just can’t seem to fit in and dance. As a result Gerald often gets teased by the other animals and after a rather embarrassing and critical moment at the Jungle Dance, Gerald is laughed out of town. With a little reflection and council from a wise old cricket, Gerald is freed from his self doubt with a lively and colourful twist. This message is written in an exciting and rhythmical way enhanced by the beautiful and colourful illustrations.
I like this book as it has a positive message to deliver to children about finding your own style but also not to expect others to have the same abilities. It encourages them to be more open minded when they meet new people and enjoy the diversity of the world. Children will be able to identify the various creatures detailed in the book. The characters are loveable and humorous and the book has wonderful creative illustrations that set out the scenes.
These books can support literacy by encouraging imagination and development of word language and can also inspire creative games, oral stories and writing in Y1 and lower Y2. The detailed illustrations ensure the story is used as visual aid on an interactive whiteboard. This book would also be appropriate for independent reading for developing readers as it has a variety of words that will extend the children’s vocabulary and interests.
July 4, 2012
Whether on display in a book store, library, or classroom, Giles Andreae’s Giraffes Can’t Dance is sure to catch the eyes of readers young and old. The bright and bold cover art by Guy Parker-Rees grabs your attention and consequentially has you grabbing the book. It is that same art that will captivate your young readers. Parker-Rees’ humorous watercolor and pen-and-ink illustrations compliment the magical story about a knobby-kneed, clumsy-legged giraffe that has trouble getting his moves right on the dance floor. Andreae’s rhyming text makes Giraffes Can’t Dance an easy and fun read. It lures readers in and transports them right onto the jungle dance floor alongside cha-cha-cha-ing chimps, rocking rhinos, and lions doing the tango. Andreae does not skimp on incorporating meaning to the story, either, with character education threads on bullying, courage, respect and self-concept. When Gerald the giraffe is overcome by his own insecurities about dancing, an encouraging cricket advises him that every good dancer finds and makes his own music. It is just enough to get Gerald back to the dance floor, boogying with the rest. As a former teacher, I found Giraffes Can’t Dance to be limitless in its student applications. It is a fantastic read-aloud and a great mentor text for the teaching and modeling of good comprehension strategies. It also makes a perfect tool for promoting classroom discussions or writings about character education. Lastly, with its many mentions of traditional dances, beat, music and rhythm, Giraffes Can’t Dance is ripe for any number of cross-curricular extensions in physical education and music.
October 13, 2015
Giraffes Can’t Dance is an eloquently written and wonderfully illustrated fantasy book about a Giraffe named Gerald who doesn’t think he can dance. Each year, the Jungle Dance is held. Gerald is nervous because he isn’t confident and when he tries to dance, all the other animals make fun of him. Feeling beaten down, Gerald leaves. However, Gerald bumps into a cricket who encourages Gerald to try again. Gerald learns that people march to the beat of their own drum, and sometimes someone just needs to do things a little differently to make something work. Ultimately, Gerald finds his rhythm and groom to the sound of a violin. All the animals come to see and claim that Gerald is one of the best dancers they have ever seen.
I would recommend this book to any grade K-5, but I do deem it more appropriate for grades K-3. If I were to use this book in the classroom, I would use it as a way to introduce the effects of teasing and laughing. How such antics can make a person feel secluded and unworthy. Besides social lessons, I could use this book to teach literacy techniques such as rhyming, describing, alliteration, and narration. To make this book interdisciplinary, I could have students carry out surveys in the class to see which of their peers think which animals are the best dancers (math), write a report on giraffes (science), or even learn to do a dance or makeup a dance that Gerald might be able to do (physical education). There are many other subjects that can be used with this book such as art and music. The options are limitless and I think this book is a wonderful classroom resource and tool that can allow for interdisciplinary instruction!
I would recommend this book to any grade K-5, but I do deem it more appropriate for grades K-3. If I were to use this book in the classroom, I would use it as a way to introduce the effects of teasing and laughing. How such antics can make a person feel secluded and unworthy. Besides social lessons, I could use this book to teach literacy techniques such as rhyming, describing, alliteration, and narration. To make this book interdisciplinary, I could have students carry out surveys in the class to see which of their peers think which animals are the best dancers (math), write a report on giraffes (science), or even learn to do a dance or makeup a dance that Gerald might be able to do (physical education). There are many other subjects that can be used with this book such as art and music. The options are limitless and I think this book is a wonderful classroom resource and tool that can allow for interdisciplinary instruction!
September 27, 2016
1. Book summary, in your own words (3 pts)
Every year in Africa the animals hold the Jungle Dance. Every animal had a dance and they were all quite good. Gerald the Giraffe on the other hand was very clumsy and was sad because he thought he was really bad at dancing. All the animals make fun and laugh at him so he doesn’t try to dance. Gerald meets a cricket who proves himself and all of the other animals wrong.
2. Grade level, interest level, lexile (1 pt)
This book good probably be read by students from 2nd-5th grade. It is very interesting and the lexile is very moderate.
3. Appropriate classroom use (subject area) (1 pt)
Giraffes Can’t Dance would be a great book to show students they can do anything if they put their minds to it.
4. Individual students who might benefit from reading (1 pt)
I think all students would benefit from reading this book. It has a great lesson behind it.
5. Small group use (literature circles) (1 pt)
This book would be good for helping students practice reading out loud. The students could also discuss this book in groups and tell out loud what they learned.
6. Whole class use (read aloud) (1 pt)
I would probably read this book aloud to my class for story time. I would also ask questions and discuss it with them.
7. Related books in genre/subject or content area (1 pt)
I Like Myself! By Karen Beaumont
If The Shoe Fits by Alison Jackson
Dancing Feet! By Lindsey Craig
8. Multimedia connections (audio books, movie) available (1 pt)
There are audiobooks for this book. I also found a Scholastic Interactive version of this book on Vimeo that I thought was awesome. https://vimeo.com/katllyn/giraffes
Every year in Africa the animals hold the Jungle Dance. Every animal had a dance and they were all quite good. Gerald the Giraffe on the other hand was very clumsy and was sad because he thought he was really bad at dancing. All the animals make fun and laugh at him so he doesn’t try to dance. Gerald meets a cricket who proves himself and all of the other animals wrong.
2. Grade level, interest level, lexile (1 pt)
This book good probably be read by students from 2nd-5th grade. It is very interesting and the lexile is very moderate.
3. Appropriate classroom use (subject area) (1 pt)
Giraffes Can’t Dance would be a great book to show students they can do anything if they put their minds to it.
4. Individual students who might benefit from reading (1 pt)
I think all students would benefit from reading this book. It has a great lesson behind it.
5. Small group use (literature circles) (1 pt)
This book would be good for helping students practice reading out loud. The students could also discuss this book in groups and tell out loud what they learned.
6. Whole class use (read aloud) (1 pt)
I would probably read this book aloud to my class for story time. I would also ask questions and discuss it with them.
7. Related books in genre/subject or content area (1 pt)
I Like Myself! By Karen Beaumont
If The Shoe Fits by Alison Jackson
Dancing Feet! By Lindsey Craig
8. Multimedia connections (audio books, movie) available (1 pt)
There are audiobooks for this book. I also found a Scholastic Interactive version of this book on Vimeo that I thought was awesome. https://vimeo.com/katllyn/giraffes
November 30, 2016
Personal Response
I thought the book, Giraffes Can’t Dance, was a good book for little ones ages three to six to hear. I thought it was a cute book as I read it to my sister. My sister, Nora, who is five, thought this book was really good. One thing Nora enjoyed the most was the pictures of all the animals. She wanted me to read it to her again and again.
Plot
There was a dance party in the African jungle. When Gerald got there, he was told by the other animals he could not dance. He was sad and left the party. Gerald met a cricket, and the cricket had told him to be himself. He took the cricket’s advice and went back to the party. All of the other animals all wanted to know how he learned to dance like he did.
Characterization
Gerald
Gerald was a giraffe that lived in Africa. He had his feelings hurt when he arrived to the party. Gerald was not wanted by the other animals because he could not dance. When he got advice from a cricket, he had learned that it's okay to be different.
Setting
This book takes place in the African jungle at night during a dance party. The dance party is important ,because Gerald learns it doesn't matter how he danced. No matter something is done, it is great because it is special.
Recommendation
I would recommend this book for all toddlers. They would enjoy this story, because there are amazing pictures to look at and a good story to hear. The parents who read the book for their little boys and girls would also be able to share a good message with their little ones. The message being that they can do anything if they try in their own special way.
April 27, 2012
Giraffes Can’t Dance
This is a beautifully illustrated book about a Giraffe called Gerald who lives in the Jungle. Gerald is long, skinny and bandy knees and as a result of this poor Gerald can’t dance and the other animals in the jungle make fun of Gerald for been different and not being like him. Geralds struggles to fit in. This is a great book to convey the message of inclusion and friendship to younger children. From this heart-warming book they discover that even though tour different or cant do something that everyone else can doesn’t mean you can’t do something else or fit in with everyone. Children enjoy this story of a result of the likable character Gerald who in the ends finds different music and can dance just as well as any of the other animals in the jungle. I think this book can be related to many issues in the Primary school classroom which I have come across. Many children have individual strength and feel weak if they can’t do something in particular. Gerald brings this issue to life and shows the children that you might not be good at one thing but there are many other talents which you may have instead. I highly recommend this book to all ks1 teachers to read to their class and also to ks2 to relate it to numerous situations if children jeer others for their weaknesses.
This is a beautifully illustrated book about a Giraffe called Gerald who lives in the Jungle. Gerald is long, skinny and bandy knees and as a result of this poor Gerald can’t dance and the other animals in the jungle make fun of Gerald for been different and not being like him. Geralds struggles to fit in. This is a great book to convey the message of inclusion and friendship to younger children. From this heart-warming book they discover that even though tour different or cant do something that everyone else can doesn’t mean you can’t do something else or fit in with everyone. Children enjoy this story of a result of the likable character Gerald who in the ends finds different music and can dance just as well as any of the other animals in the jungle. I think this book can be related to many issues in the Primary school classroom which I have come across. Many children have individual strength and feel weak if they can’t do something in particular. Gerald brings this issue to life and shows the children that you might not be good at one thing but there are many other talents which you may have instead. I highly recommend this book to all ks1 teachers to read to their class and also to ks2 to relate it to numerous situations if children jeer others for their weaknesses.
November 13, 2011
This is a book about Gerald the giraffe who "can't dance" and all the other African animals at the Jungle Dance (where warthogs waltz and lions tango) make fun of him. Gerald begins to believe that maybe they are right, that maybe he is just useless. Until he happens upon a cricket who shows him another point of view:
"Excuse me!" coughed a cricket
who'd seen Gerald earlier on.
"But sometimes when you're different
you just need a different song."
I'm quite impressed with most of the rhymes in this book. I get so annoyed with rhyming books that you have to keep adjusting "the tempo" from page to page. But, for the most part, I didn't stumble over the phrasing at all during this delightful little book.
The illustrations weren't anything I was overly wild about, but I do like that they contain various well known, and lesser known, African animals. And they are fun and whimsical and fit the style of the book.
The story isn't anything super amazing or incredibly inventive, but it made me smile and think I would look for other Andreae books in the future.
"Excuse me!" coughed a cricket
who'd seen Gerald earlier on.
"But sometimes when you're different
you just need a different song."
I'm quite impressed with most of the rhymes in this book. I get so annoyed with rhyming books that you have to keep adjusting "the tempo" from page to page. But, for the most part, I didn't stumble over the phrasing at all during this delightful little book.
The illustrations weren't anything I was overly wild about, but I do like that they contain various well known, and lesser known, African animals. And they are fun and whimsical and fit the style of the book.
The story isn't anything super amazing or incredibly inventive, but it made me smile and think I would look for other Andreae books in the future.
February 22, 2014
I liked this book having read it many times. Giraffes can’t dance is about a giraffe called Gerald. Gerald lives in the jungle with all the other jungle animals and every year there was a jungle dance but all the other jungle animals would make fun of him as Gerald was long skinny and can’t dance. Gerald meets a cricket in the jungles who introduces him to different kind of music and Gerald finds music that he can dance to. All of a sudden he found that he was able to dance. All the animals were amazed at how beautifully Gerald could dance.
This is a really nice story with a good hidden message. It would be a good story to read in the early years and KS1 emphasising to the children that all children are different and that we shouldn't make fun of people who may be different to us. The pictures in the book are bright and colourful and I think this would be a good book to read to the whole class or in circle time. Allowing the children to discuss who the giraffe might be feeling and what we could do to make him feel better.
This is a really nice story with a good hidden message. It would be a good story to read in the early years and KS1 emphasising to the children that all children are different and that we shouldn't make fun of people who may be different to us. The pictures in the book are bright and colourful and I think this would be a good book to read to the whole class or in circle time. Allowing the children to discuss who the giraffe might be feeling and what we could do to make him feel better.
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