or
Sign in to turn on 1-Click ordering
More Buying Choices
Have one to sell? Sell yours here
Tell the Publisher!
I'd like to read this book on Kindle

Don't have a Kindle? Get your Kindle here, or download a FREE Kindle Reading App.
Sorry, this item is not available in
Image not available for
Color:
Image not available

To view this video download Flash Player

 

Giraffes Can't Dance [Hardcover]

Giles Andreae , Guy Parker-Rees
4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (162 customer reviews)

List Price: $16.99
Price: $12.49 & FREE Shipping on orders over $25. Details
You Save: $4.50 (26%)
o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o
In Stock.
Ships from and sold by Amazon.com. Gift-wrap available.
Want it Friday, May 24? Choose One-Day Shipping at checkout. Details

Formats

Amazon Price New from Used from
Hardcover $12.49  
Paperback --  
Audio, CD $8.99  
Board book $6.29  
Audible Audio Edition, Unabridged $5.95 or Free with Audible 30-day free trial
2013 Children's Book Award Winners
Check out the 2013 award winners for children's literature and illustration.

Book Description

September 1, 2001 4 - 8 years450L (What's this?)
.


Frequently Bought Together

Giraffes Can't Dance + The Pout-Pout Fish + The Hiccupotamus
Price for all three: $32.40

Buy the selected items together


Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Gerald the giraffe doesn't really have delusions of grandeur. He just wants to dance. But his knees are crooked and his legs are thin, and all the other animals mock him when he approaches the dance floor at the annual Jungle Dance. "Hey, look at clumsy Gerald," they sneer. "Oh, Gerald, you're so weird." Poor Gerald slinks away as the chimps cha-cha, rhinos rock 'n' roll, and warthogs waltz. But an encouraging word from an unlikely source shows this glum giraffe that those who are different "just need a different song," and soon he is prancing and sashaying and boogying to moon music (with a cricket accompanist). In the vein of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Gerald's fickle "friends" quickly decide he's worthy of their attention again.

With this rhyming, poignant (in a cartoonish way) tale, Giles Andreae, author of Rumble in the Jungle, and numerous other picture books, shows insecure young readers that everyone can be wonderful, even those that march to the beat of a different cricket. The rhymes are somewhat awkward, but the bold, bright watercolors by Guy Parker-Rees will invite readers to kick up their heels and find their own internal harmony. (Ages 3 to 6) --Emilie Coulter

From Publishers Weekly

All the jungle's got the beat, but Gerald the giraffe has four left feet. Such is the dilemma in this British team's bouncy if didactic picture book about self-esteem. As a multitude of fleet-footed beasts eagerly "skip and prance" at the annual Jungle Dance in Africa, Gerald feels sad "because when it comes to dancing/ he was really very bad." Jeered by waltzing warthogs and cha-cha-ing chimps when he attempts to cut a rug, Gerald hangs his head and leaves the celebration behind. Luckily, a friendly cricket appears in the moonlight, chirping a morale-boosting song of self-confidence that soon sets Gerald in graceful motion. Andreae's rhyming text has a jaunty rhythm that's likely to spark interest in the read-aloud crowd, in spite of a heavy-handed message. Parker-Rees's kicky depictions of slightly anthropomorphic animals boogying on the dance floor are the highlight here. His watercolor and pen-and-ink artwork exudes a fun, party vibe. Ages 3-6.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.


Product Details

  • Age Range: 4 - 8 years
  • Hardcover: 32 pages
  • Publisher: Orchard Books; 1st edition (September 1, 2001)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0439287197
  • ISBN-13: 978-0439287197
  • Product Dimensions: 11.9 x 9.8 x 0.4 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (162 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,934 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Giles Andreae is the award-winning and bestselling author of Rumble in the Jungle, The Lion Who Wanted to Love and keep Love in Your Heart, Little One. Giles is also the creator and voice behind Purple Ronnie. He lives in London.

Customer Reviews

Nice rhyming story and beautiful illustrations. Ainsley's Mom  |  69 reviewers made a similar statement
My father-in-law bought this book for my 3 year old daughter and she just loves it! J. Longman  |  39 reviewers made a similar statement
After the first read we realized that the cricket was on every page of the book. "kellymel"  |  31 reviewers made a similar statement
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
60 of 62 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Boogie on, Gerald! December 29, 2003
Format:Hardcover
Gerald the Giraffe is one clumsy animal. He's good at standing still and munching shoots off trees but when he wants to join the other animals at the Jungle Dance, they only laugh at him. Not for long, though. His friend the cricket knows how to play the music that inspires Gerald to dance like John Travolta in his best days. Gerald is transformed because "we all can dance ... when we find music that we love."

"Giraffes Can't Dance" is my personal favorite among Max's books. The story is familiar to many kids who go to kindergarten and learn that their peers can be picky about who belongs to the pack and who does not. In the book, the exuberant illustrations of Guy Parker-Rees take the sting out of Gerald's initial rejection by the other animals. Watching the Rhinos rock'n'roll and the lions "dance a tango that was elegant and bold," balances Gerald's sadness. The emphasis of the story is on Gerald's joyful transformation, anyway. Just read Gerald's jubilant "I am dancing! Yes, I'm dancing! I AM DANCING!" with enough liveliness and watch the kids identify with a flying giraffe. After all, the lesson is that you can excel and enjoy who you are even if, at first, the world does not play your tune. With a little help from his friends, Gerald finds out that "sometimes when you're different you just need a different song."

Let me add one short paragraph on Gerald's helpful friends, the cricket and the three small bugs that are hiding on every page. These four little fellows are an ingenious device to soften the impact of the emotional story. Kids are in love with details; once they know what to look for, they will tirelessly search for the bugs and the cricket, and point them out to you. Hint: play dumb and they will have a party.

Comment | 
Was this review helpful to you?
25 of 25 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I bought this book for my 2 yr old and he loved the story from the beginning. After the first read we realized that the cricket was on every page of the book. Boy did we have fun looking for it on the second time around. After ten different readings we finally found all the crickets. the story is a good one when you watch your toddler show empathy for Gerald. I highly recommend this book!!
Was this review helpful to you?
21 of 21 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Teacher's Favorite August 26, 2001
By Karla
Format:Hardcover
Gerald the giraffe simply wants to fit in with the other animals, but he feels as if he is inadequate because he can't dance like his friends. A wise friend tells him that he must listen for the right music. Gerald realizes that he, too, has the ability to dance. As a kindergarten and Reading Recovery teacher, I look for books that will encourage validation of the child who feels different. I was excited to discover GIRAFFE'S CAN'T DANCE. It was perfect for my teacher staff development introduction.
Comment | 
Was this review helpful to you?
Most Recent Customer Reviews
3.0 out of 5 stars Good toddler book
I bought this book for my 18 month old son and he seems to think its okay. He doesn't get overly excited when I bring it out but it does hold his attention while I read it most... Read more
Published 10 days ago by Krystal
3.0 out of 5 stars Poor word choice by author made this book only a 3 star for me
This book would have been great, if the author didn't use the words weird and fool and left out the teasing. Read more
Published 19 days ago by Sissy
5.0 out of 5 stars Nice book.....
Its a nice book, nothing spectacular. Good to borrow from library. It may cater better for 2 yr olds and 3 yr olds. Read more
Published 26 days ago by Working mom of two
5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome book
This is a fun book, and I believe that every child should be exposed to it. I enjoyed it a lot!
Published 28 days ago by JACQUELYN
5.0 out of 5 stars Cute
This is such a funny, large (tall book) and has some awesome messages! The Illustrations are cool too. Buy it!
Published 29 days ago by Bradley H.
5.0 out of 5 stars Book Review
Great story even for young ones!! Colors are so bright and beautiful!! Can't wait to read it to my unborn grandaughter.
Published 1 month ago by kimbro
5.0 out of 5 stars very cute book
I love the rhymes in this book, and it has a great message behind it. I would recommend it for young kids.
Published 1 month ago by LoriPS
5.0 out of 5 stars My daughter's favorite book.
this book is really cute. I love the story and pictures.
It has lots of words for 2 years old but my daugher can't live without it. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Kim JiAe
5.0 out of 5 stars great book
colorful illustrations, good story. Great sing song tempo of the rhymes, my little one asks for this one often. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Shmmr
5.0 out of 5 stars Book review
Cute, cute, cute. My daughter is a kindergarten teacher and has read the book to her class and the response is magical. Read more
Published 1 month ago by William M Norbeck
Search Customer Reviews
Only search this product's reviews

What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?


Sell a Digital Version of This Book in the Kindle Store

If you are a publisher or author and hold the digital rights to a book, you can sell a digital version of it in our Kindle Store. Learn more

Forums

There are no discussions about this product yet.
Be the first to discuss this product with the community.
Start a new discussion
Topic:
First post:
Prompts for sign-in
 



So You'd Like to...


Create a guide


Look for Similar Items by Category