Giraffes Can't Dance

Gerald's long neck, thin legs, and bandy knees are good for some things, like munching on trees. But they also make him a bit clumsy. When it is time for the annual jungle dance Gerald courageously steps out to dance. The other animals laugh and taunt him "Giraffes can't dance . . ." This leaves Gerald feeling sad, useless, and alone until he finds his own tune. When visiting my long-distance granddaughter, I found "Giraffes Can't Dance" on her bookshelf. I was originally attracted to this book because I am a nature lover. Glancing through its pages, the following passage from the book captured me: "Listen to the swaying grass and listen to the trees, to me the sweetest music is those branches in the breeze. So imagine that that lovely moon is playing just for you, everything makes music if you really want it to." But there is so much more to this book. The brightly colored, action-filled illustrations skillfully enhance this first-rate story. The story touches on being teased, feeling embarrassed, and the fall and rise of self-esteem. This book is about being different, overcoming challenge, and finding something that you love. As a life coach, I appreciate the message of finding your own tune and then dancing to it. As a writer, I like the way the story actively moves forward with rhythmic rhyme that is perfect for the dancing theme. The story evokes empathy when Gerald is feeling sad and defeated. Later, the story stirs up joy and excitement when, without even trying, Gerald begins to dance.

A great book about being yourself. Everyone can dance, just in there own way - even a giraffe! Cute story and artwork.

This has become a favorite of my four year old grandson. Every child has moments of being afraid to take a risk and is needing encouragement. The story demonstrates both disappointment when the other animals laugh because the giraffe cannot dance to courage when a suggestion and encouragement are made and it works! All of sudden the giraffe is the center of attention in a positive way. When I finished reading the story to my grandson, his response was Read is again, Gramma.

This is one of my favorite children's books. My daughter is 20 months old and she loves the colorful illustrations and pointing out all the animals. For me, I love that it has a great lesson about everyone being unique.

Our family loves this book. The rhyming keeps our children engaged and the message of the book is wonderful!

This is a little long for our 18 mo old but he loves the pictures. This is a great addition to his enlarging library.

This book has wonderful illustrations and a classroom of 5 year olds smiled at the giraffe's antics. It holds a good lesson that children can relate to.

I read this every night to my 11 month old and 2 year old. My two year old loves to find where the cricket is hiding on each page. Bright colors, great story. Perfect book.

I am a Pre-K teacher and every year my students love this story!! I must have read it dozens of times and I still get choked up. The lessons of friendship and self image are powerful for adults and children alike. When my nephew was born, it was the first book I purchased for his library and it has become a favorite at his house as well.

This is a great book. The story,illustration and everything. A great buy!

Read this to a few of the special needs children I work with, and they loved it! The artwork was terrific, the animals were ANIMATED and they took the message of the book well. A great read, with lots of repeats requested.

My daughter has literally loved this book to pieces. It has been taped up so many times that I think the book has more tape than paper right now. She brings it to bed with her every night and I hear her "reading" to herself after she is tucked in. This is the only book she has memorized and is constantly asking for it. I have read it so many times and still love it. This book is a must read.

We initially checked this book out of the library and my son loved it so much -- we had to buy it too. My son is very tall for his age so he is always falling down and is a little awkward-- so I think he really identified with Gerald. At any rate, it's a great book for any child-- whether they are insecure or not! It has a great message and flows beautifully when read. Hint:-- my son particularly likes it when we use a funny voice for the cricket----

I don't know who loves this book more....my son or me? The story is beautifully written and the illustrations are gorgeous. I have given it to all my friends with little ones. Can't recommend this book enough.

I always have a copy of this book on hand to give as a gift. It is my favorite children's book -- for its rhythm, message, and illustrations. The first time I read it, it brought tears to my eyes. Most people I give it to claim that it quickly becomes a family favorite and they start to buy it for other people!

My son got this for a gift when he was just a baby he is almost 3 now and it is his favorite and mine! We bought a copy for each of his playgroup friends for their birthdays!

I read this years ago when I nannied and just knew it was a book I had to have even though I didn't have kids at the time. I have been reading this to my almost 2 yr old daughter and she loves it as much as me. Teaches children, even adults, that it is ok to be different and to embrace the differences in others as well as ourselves. I have given many copies as gifts.

In the summer I work with children that have many different types of mental, emotional, physical, etc disorders and this book has been able to help them all. Certain children have even gone so far as to read the story everyday until they had it memorized! This book also was able to reach out and touch my preschoolers over the past year. It is a wonderful story with an even more amazing message. Perfect addition to any library.

Precious story that flows with rhyme. The giraffe can't dance only because he needs a different song. I love this book. Inspiring for any child that is just not like all the rest.

I am an aspiring illustrator, so going through the Children's section of Barnes and Noble, is a wonderful experience. I noticed this book and ended up purchasing it. It is a wonderful book for all ages of children, even those who are children at heart. It has a great lesson and excellent illustrations. I would buy this for any child that enjoys books.

This book is terrific. Our whole family loves it. The drawings are great and the story is well told. Gerald the giraffe is laughed at but listens when a cricket essentially tells him that he is special and that we all do things differently. My 4 year old daughter really likes it when all the animals watch in amazement as they see Gerald dance and he's the best.

This was given to us as a gift....and I must say it's a wonderful book. My 3 1/2 year old and I love to sit and read this book about Gerald. The story that is told is so important for children and adults alike. We all need to learn and appreciate other peoples differances. I'm buying this as a gift to give to my godson. I just can't say enough great things about it.

I recommend buying at least three copies of this book... one to read (it will end up lovingly tattered), one to keep pristine (it is so beautiful), and more to give as gifts. It is one of the best children's books I have seen in a long time. The story is timeless and presented in lyrical prose that goes a long way toward soothing both listener and reader alike. The art is magnificent... bold, bright, and whimsical. The recommended reader age of 5-6 is misleading... this is a book that will appeal to a much broader age group and I purchased it for my expected grandchild. It was test-driven recently on a two-year old and her comment after each of the MANY reads was 'wead again!'

The illustrations are colorful and fun, the story is fabulous. Jungle animals make fun of Gerald and he loses his confidence. A wise cricket advises Gerald that sometimes when you're different, you just need a different song. Suddenly, Gerald finds his own groove and the other animals cheer. I love the way this story teaches kids about appreciating differences among people and understanding that everyone is gifted and beautiful in their own way. My 3-year old just loves it (and so do I)!

i love the story as much as my 3yr old & 6yr old, the illustration is wonderful & the story is delightful!