Giraffes Can't Dance
A story with a rhyming text in which Gerald dreads the annual Jungle Dance because he is such a bad dancer. Then Gerald discovers that we are all different, and that sometimes all we need is a different song to dance to. Illustrated in colour by Guy Parker-Rees.
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Full details for this title
| Interest Age |
3-6 years |
| Reading Age |
3-6 years |
| Library of Congress |
Dance, Pictorial works, Juvenile poetry, Animals, Children's poetry, English |
| NBS Text |
Picture Books |
| ONIX Text |
Children/juvenile |
|
| Number of Pages |
32 |
| Dimensions |
Width: 160mm
Height: 295mm
Spine: 4mm |
| Weight |
220g |
|
| Dewey Code |
823.914 |
| Catalogue Code |
10389 |
Description of this Book
Gerald would love to join in with the other animals at the Jungle Dance, but everyone knows that giraffes can't dance ...or can they? 2009 sees the 10th anniversary of this bestselling picture book, loved by children everywhere.
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Awards & Reviews
| Awards |
Shortlisted for Blue Peter Children's Book Awards: The Best Book to Read Out Aloud 2002.
|
| NZ Review |
a joyful read about an outsider who finds acceptance on his own terms... there's also a simple moral about tolerance and daring to be different. -- Junior 20110701 |
| US Review |
Andreae's ode to a different drummer stumbles when it preaches about uncovering your own beat, but is ferried along by enough sweet verse and Parker-Rees's dazzling colors that it almost pulls its own weight. Gerald the giraffe's legs are too spindly for dancing; they are always buckling at the knees when it comes to the old soft-shoe. And while all the other creatures show some mean moves at the Jungle Dance ( The chimps all did a cha-cha / with a very Latin feel, / and eight baboons then teamed up / for a special Scottish reel ), poor Gerald is hooted off the dance floor before he even has a chance to crumple. As he shuffles homeward, and as he stops to admire the moon, a cricket suggests that you just need a different song. So, to the sound of the wind in the trees, Gerald starts to move: a gentle swaying, some circling, and some swishing. Suddenly he commences to belt out Olympic-quality gymnastic moves- Then he did a backward somersault / and leapt up in the air -that blows the other animals away. But probably not readers, even the youngest of whom will want to know just why Gerald's legs didn't buckle this time, special music or not. Bad enough that in a story about rhythm, the verse doesn't always scan-but must Gerald strike the Travolta pose? Gerald doesn't find himself; he simply learns how to mimic. (Picture book. 3-5) (Kirkus Reviews) |
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Author's Bio
Giles Andreae is the award-winning and bestselling author of Rumble in the Jungle, The Lion Who Wanted to Love and keep Love in Your Heart, Little One. Giles is also the creator and voice behind Purple Ronnie. He lives in London. Guy Parker-Rees' exuberant and energetic illustrations are instantly recognisable and much-loved. He was described in the Rough Guide to Children's Books as being 'One of the most exciting young artists in the children's book world.' Guy's illustrations include All Afloat on Noah's Boat and K is for Kissing a Cool Kangaroo. Guy lives in Brighton.
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