The Giraffe and the Pelly and Me [Paperback]

Roald Dahl (Author), Quentin Blake (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 22, 2009 | Age Level: 8 and up | Grade Level: 3 and up

Who needs a ladder when you've got a giraffe with an extending neck? The Ladderless Window-Cleaning Company certainly doesn't. They don't need a pail, either, because they have a pelican with a bucket-sized beak. With a monkey to do the washing and Billy as their manager, this business is destined for success.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Roald Dahl (1916-1990) is one of the most beloved storytellers of all time. He wrote many award-winning books for children, including Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, James and the Giant Peach, and Matilda.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Paperback: 80 pages
• Publisher: Puffin (January 22, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0142413844
• ISBN-13: 978-0142413845
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.4 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.1 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #103,507 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #14 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > Authors & Illustrators, A-Z > ( B ) > Blake, Quentin
  • #19 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > Authors & Illustrators, A-Z > ( D ) > Dahl, Roald
  • #26 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Entertainment > Humor > Cats, Dogs & Animals

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic Read Aloud, March 13, 2011

By 

S. Power (Detroit, Michigan, United States) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Giraffe and the Pelly and Me (Paperback)

The Giraffe and the Pelly and Me by Roald Dahl is about a window washing company. The employees of the window washing company are a Giraffe who serves the role of the ladder, a Monkey who washes the windows and a Pelican who is the bucket.

Description from Scholastic:

Roald Dahl uses rich language and fantastic images to tell the tale of a young boy who is able to make his dream of running a candy shop come true. The adventure begins when the little boy teams up with the Giraffe and the Pelican to clean windows at the Ladderless Window Cleaning Company.

This simple plot explodes into an excitingly zany tale that makes readers laugh out loud while conveying a positive message. Dahl expresses this tale by interweaving poetry, charming illustrations and an engaging narrative voice to make this story enticing. Many young readers will recognize that each character serves a special purpose in the story. For example, the Giraffe becomes a main character because of his long neck and ability to reach and clean high windows.

A great read-aloud, this book is also a spectacular model to use with young, developing writers. Among other things, it is a terrific example of what poetry is and how poetry can be used to tell stories. The book closes with the words "No book ever ends when it's full of your friends, the Giraffe and the Pelly and Me." The last line invites young readers to imagine the wonders that lie within all books. This fun, fast-paced story is a fabulous choice, containing many valuable lessons.

My daughter Katelyn read this book. She thought the idea for the book was original and fun. She liked each of the characters. There were some pictures throughout the book to illustrate what the characters were doing. Katelyn took this book to school with her to read during silent reading and would excitedly come home to tell me what had happened each day.

Appropriateness: There is a bit of scariness in the book but the scary part resolves very quickly with a happy ending. The book is short with quite a few pictures but a difficult reading level making this a great read aloud or story for advanced younger readers. The story is one that would appeal equally to boys and girls. The lexile is 890 (WOW!!) putting it at a sixth grade reading level.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Giraffe the Pelly and Me, June 16, 2011

A Kid's Review

This review is from: The Giraffe and the Pelly and Me (Paperback)

I LOVED this book. I read it in 45 minutes it was so good. I'm a HUGE fan of reading, so I've read a lot of books I like fiction, fantasy, non-fiction, mystery, and realistic-fiction. Since I've read and like so many different books I know a good one when I read one. This was one of the BEST books ever. This book will appeal to both boys and girls. The reading level is for 6-11 year olds. The story will appeal to ANY age. You should buy this book or at least read it.