Guy Parker-Rees

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 show more 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. show less

A giraffe goes to a party but is too awkward and shy to dance with all the other animals. Giraffe leaves the party but then hears a different kind of music and starts to dance in their own way.

Really enjoyed this one, I like that the giraffe doesn’t need to just get over their shyness, all they need is some privacy to be themself.

Giraffes Can’t Dance is a cute story that delivers the main message that everyone should be accepted and included no matter their size, shape, appearance, etc. Also, this story displays to readers that people should be rejoiced for trying and doing things that might not be traditionally acceptable or meant for them to pursue (like when the giraffe, who is tall and overall different, wants to dance even though his animal friends claim that giraffes can’t dance). In addition, this book show more even references mean or rude sayings that children tend to say to each other, like “you’re weird,” in order to highlight the point that even giraffes, or the people who they symbolize, should not be made fun of for doing things that they are passionate about, despite the fact that people may hold the opinion that those activities are not suited for them. Everyone should be celebrated, even if they are different. I enjoyed this story because of the personification that the authors utilized, which made it obvious to an older reader like myself that these animals were representative of people, and more specifically children, and the occurrences of peer pressure and bullying that are overwhelmingly present in society today. While this is not apparent to young readers who are otherwise captivated by the animals, adults and parents can appreciate the message and literary tactics that the authors use to embody an important moral. show less

Book Review Summary: "Giraffes Can't Dance" by Giles Andreae

"Giraffes Can't Dance" by Giles Andreae is a delightful and uplifting children's book that tells the story of Gerald, a giraffe who longs to dance but feels out of place because his long legs and awkward movements make him different from the other animals. The jungle animals mock him during their annual dance party, leaving Gerald feeling discouraged. However, with the encouragement of a wise cricket, Gerald discovers that dancing show more isn't about copying others—it’s about finding his own rhythm and being confident in himself. Through a journey of self-discovery, Gerald learns to embrace his uniqueness and enjoys the dance that’s true to him.

The book is beautifully illustrated by Guy Parker-Rees, whose vibrant, lively images help bring the characters and emotions to life. The playful rhyme scheme and easy-to-understand language make it an ideal read for young children, teaching them important lessons about self-acceptance, individuality, and the power of perseverance. This book is well-suited for children in Preschool to 2nd grade (ages 3-7). The language and themes are simple enough for younger readers while still offering depth for slightly older children to reflect on. I would use this book during storytime to spark discussions about individuality and self-expression. After reading, I would encourage children to talk about times when they felt different and how they embraced their uniqueness. show less