BOOK NAME: GIRAFFE PROBLEMS
AUTHOR: JORY JOHN
ILLUSTRATOR: LANE SMITH
PAGES: 42
PUBLISHER: RANDOM HOUSE BOOKS FOR YOUNG READERS
AGE RECOMMENDED: 4+
Meet Edward, the long-neck giraffe who was very self-conscious about his neck. He felt his neck was too long, too narrow, too high, too necky, too bendy. He tried to camouflage his long neck using scarves or hiding behind tall trees, but continuously he failed at that. Then Edward meets Cyrus, a talkative turtle who feels bad about his neck for a completely different reason. Cyrus thinks his neck is too short. The turtle explains that he is longing for a banana way up, high in a tree for days, but his short little neck could never reach it. Edward realizes that he can help his new friend and uses his long, bendy-necky neck to grab a bunch of bananas from the tree. In the end, the two friends feel much better about their necks and become friends.
I am a sucker for picture books and no matter how many books talk about budding friendship, I will pick it. This is one such book I picked for its gorgeous illustrations and more than friendship, this book emphasis being happy in your own body.
This is a very common problem around the globe and no matter how we try, we end up cribbing up about our fingernails or our eyes or the size of our mouth or the structure of our body. No matter how we try, body positivity is something we need to spread more. Many campaigns support body positivity, but are we really happy with our bodies? Just like Edward’s long neck helped Cyrus to have his banana, our body is definitely tailor-made to help others.
A simple picture book acts as a reminder for adults and if you need this reminder every day, pick this gorgeous book for your home library. Also, Lane Smith is our favourite illustrator and look out for his picture books. You won’t be disappointed.
To read more age-appropriate books, CLICK HERE
One thought on “REVIEW: Giraffe Problems By Jory John”