Giraffes Can't Dance Board book – Picture Book, March 1, 2012

My 3 year old loves giraffes and when I saw this book, I knew she'd be excited to read it. The story is about Gerald, a giraffe who isn't the best dancer, and how he has low self esteem about his dance skills because the other animals made fun of him and his clumsy dancing. Gerald feels sad and a cricket, who had been watching him, encourages him to find the music he loves inside himself and dance to it his way. Once he followed this advice and let go of what other animals thought and danced to the beat of his own drum so to speak, he found he really could dance and at the party he impressed the other animals by being himself.I absolutely love the morals of this story because they apply to all people, old and young: when you let the opinions of others get to you, you begin to doubt yourself and become so self conscious that you forget to be yourself; and you may not be the best at any given activity, but if you do your personal best and believe in yourself, you will shine anyway. Gerald was able to let go of the opinions of others when he was alone in the field with the cricket and he found his own rhythm and realized he really could do what others said he couldn't do. He started to believe in himself and it showed as he did his best dancing. The morals make great conversation starters with your children about what things they have doubted themselves about and why it's important to believe in yourself. This book touches on bullying and the negative feelings it brings in an easy to understand way for young children as well and opens dialogue about what the animals could have done differently instead of laughing at Gerald.I love the rhyming text and the bright and engaging illustrations. I like that the pages are made of thick cardboard since it's a board book and I don't have to worry about her bending or tearing the pages. Overall, this is an awesome book with a great message!

This is a really cute book with engaging illustrations and an actual complete story in a board book. Many board books, due to the age of the audience don't have a clear ending or conclusion. This one does and keeps my granddaughter engaged through the last page! I recommend adding this book to your baby's library!

"Giraffes Can't Dance" by Giles Andreae is a heartwarming tale that has become a cherished favorite in our household. The story follows Gerald, a giraffe with a unique challenge, as he discovers his own rhythm and learns to dance to his own tune.The narrative, paired with Guy Parker-Rees's vibrant illustrations, carries a powerful message about embracing individuality and celebrating differences. The rhythmic flow of the text adds an engaging element, making it a joy to read aloud.This book is not only entertaining but also imparts valuable lessons about self-acceptance and the beauty of diversity. The endearing characters and uplifting storyline have sparked meaningful conversations with my little one about kindness and the importance of being true to oneself.If you're searching for a delightful and meaningful story that encourages self-expression and acceptance, "Giraffes Can't Dance" is a perfect choice. It's a timeless reminder that everyone has their own unique dance to share with the world. 📚🦒💃🌟

This book was a fantastic pick for my little one. The illustrations are awesome, the story is great, and we love books that rhyme. Highly recommended.

My Grandson loved this book. We look at the pictures together and the story is adorable. The pictures are beautiful as well. Recommended book !

Let me start by saying that I absolutely love this book, and so does my daughter. The rhymes are lovely (except for a slight break in rhythm on the very last one), the pictures are fun and full of great detail, and the story about finding oneself and not succumbing to peer pressure and stereotypes is great and important!However... I really think the cricket does not get enough credit! In fact, Gerald almost becomes a bit cocky in the end, as if he had achieved this feat of realizing his potential all by himself, when, in fact, without the cricket he still wouldn't believe in himself. And here I think the book misses a great opportunity to emphasize the value of friendship, empathy, and helping others.Luckily, this can be fixed very easily. I therefore added a final rhyme to the book that I think adds to the value. I hope others may find it useful as well. It goes as follows:Just sometimes we need a friend to help,to find out song and tune.And to the cricket Gerald said:I found mine, thanks to you!:)

Every toddler needs a great board book

Bought this for a baby shower. This was super cute and well made.