Don’t Laugh at Giraffe
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Don’t Laugh at Giraffe
Illustrated by Rebecca Bender
Picture Book Ages 4–7
ISBN: 978-0-9869495-6-2 HC
List Price: $19.95 CAD / $16.95 USD
Hardcover with dust jacket
Trim Size: 23 x 28 cm / 9 x 11 inches
Pages: 32
Available in schools, libraries and fine book stores
Canadian Publication Date: May 15, 2012
U.S. Publication Date: August 15, 2012
Distributed in the U.S. by Ingram Publisher Services
Rights Available: World ex. North America, World Greek, and Simple Chinese language.
All Giraffe and Bird do is bicker and make fun of each other. But for dignified Giraffe, it’s a different thing altogether when the other animals laugh at him, too. Now it’s up to Bird to make things right for his friend.
Giraffe and Bird make the oddest pair. All they do is spat, squabble and get on each other’s nerves. In the morning, Bird uses his loudest outdoor voice, so giraffe makes a disgusting noise as he clears his phlegmy throat, so Bird tickles his neck, and…well, you get the picture. There’s nothing Bird likes more than to have a laugh at the expense of his lanky friend, and one dry day at the pond, he gets his chance. Giraffe’s awkward attempt to reach the water without getting his hooves wet raises a cackle from a flamingo, a chortle from the zebra, then a howl from the hippo. Soon everyone is having a good laugh…especially Bird. In fact, Bird is having a ball until he realizes that his mortified friend has left the pond without quenching his thirst. Now Bird is sorry. How will he get giraffe back?
Author/illustrator Rebecca Bender’s hilarious illustrations accompany a story about empathy and the trials of friendship that will persuade young readers that it’s okay to look goofy and laugh at yourself once in a while, especially when you have a good friend by your side.
Awards and Honours:
2014 Rainforest of Reading nominee
2013 OLA Blue Spruce Award honour book
2012 Resource Links “The Year’s Best” selection
Reviews:
★ “Don’t Laugh at Giraffe is a warm, gentle tale with a good message and plenty of funny moments, making it a great choice for sharing. After all, the story reminds us, it’s always better to laugh with a friend than at one.”—Quill & Quire ★ Starred Review
“…The conversational text gracefully delivers a message about kindness and having a sense of humor.”—Publishers Weekly
“This colourful picture book lives its message: one of the best antidotes for sadness is laughter.”—Resource Links
“[Bender] knows when a picture, rather than words, should carry the story…A fun read, but one which still speaks to the meaning of friendship…Highly Recommended.”—CM Magazine
