What in the World Is Wrong with Gisbert?

by Jochen Weeber, Fariba Gholizadeh (Illustrator)

Overview

Meet Gisbert, a tall, young giraffe. Gisbert is tall enough to do everything a giraffe might want to do, and his life is good. But one day, something happens. Gisberts friends start making fun of him, and with each negative comment they say, he begins to shrink! What in the world is wrong with Gisbert?

This insightful book helps teach children about the consequences of bullying and the power of friendship. What in the World Is Wrong with Gisbert? features various animal characters and bright, playful illustrations.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781947888029
Publisher:	Westminster John Knox Press
Publication date:	08/07/2018
Pages:	32
Product dimensions:	8.60(w) x 9.50(h) x 0.40(d)
Age Range:	3 - 8 Years

About the Author

Jochen Weeber is an author, poet, and musician in Reutlinger, Germany.

Fariba Gholizadeh was born in Iran and studied graphic design in Tehran and in Mainz, Germany.

Editorial Reviews

A unique, entertaining, and highly recommended addition to family, daycare center, preschool, elementary school, and community library collections.” —Midwest Book Review

"Straight-up, reassuring advice on how to handle insensitive friends.” —Kirkus Reviews

From the Publisher

2018-04-16
Young Gisbert the giraffe is content with his life in this German import. His long neck allows him to do just about anything he wants: peer in a top-story window to watch TV, stretch out to make a bridge for his friends to walk across, and sleep with his head in the leafy tops of trees. When his kindergarten classmates (a diverse group of anthropomorphic animals) start teasing him about the things that make him special—his spots, his height—he's confused. He feels like he's shrinking! With plenty of white space around the bright figures, it's easy to focus on Gisbert's body language. Gisbert's sad eyes, turned-in toes, and drooping head articulate his hurt feelings. It's so bad he climbs under the sofa and stays home from school. His concerned parents hold him, their necks forming a protective heart-shaped arc over him. Luckily, his friends leave him a note saying they miss him, giving Gisbert the courage to tell his parents everything. They offer good counsel that families everywhere can use: "It's okay to tell [your friends] that their words made you sad." Confidence regained, Gisbert rejoins his friends and grows taller—bursting through the playhouse roof. This time when his friends laugh, it is with joy and not derision. There is nothing snarky or subtle here, just straight-up, reassuring advice on how to handle insensitive friends. (Picture book. 3-5)

Kirkus Reviews