Giraffes Can't Dance by

Author: Giles Andreae & Guy Parker-Rees

Overview

Gerald the giraffe longs to dance, but his legs are too skinny and his neck is too long. His knees buckle whenever he tries to twirl. 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 there is one little creature who believes in Gerald. "Everything makes music," the cricket explains, "if you really want it to." So Gerald starts swaying to his own sweet tune.

With light-footed rhymes and high-stepping illustrations, this tale is gentle inspiration for every child with dreams of greatness.

Editorial Review

Every animal at the African Jungle Dance sneers at poor Gerald the giraffe when it is his turn to perform. The chimps did a brilliant cha-cha, the warthogs waltzed beautifully, and the rhinos rocked and rolled, but clumsy Gerald's knees buckle and his legs twist so he flees the party in shame. While admiring the beautiful moon, a friendly cricket offers hope to the despondent giraffe. "Listen to the swaying grass/ and listen to the trees./ To me the sweetest music/ is those branches in the breeze." While the cricket fiddles, Gerald learns to listen to the music that surrounds him. With bouncy breezy rhymes and vivid watercolor, pen and ink illustrations, young children are sure to be inspired by this heart-warming tale. A class of first graders loved hearing the story and viewing the colorful pictures. A lively discussion focused on values, dreaming and attaining success.