Gerald would love to join in with the other animals at the Jungle Dance, but everyone knows that giraffes can't dance ...or can they? A funny, touching and triumphant story from an award-winning creative team. 2009 sees the 10th anniversary of this bestselling picture book loved by children everywhere.
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. Guy Parker-Rees' exuberant and energetic illustrations are instantly recognisable and much-loved. He was described in the Rough Guide to Children's Books as being 'One of the most exciting young artists in the children's book world.' Guy's illustrations include All Afloat on Noah's Boat and K is for Kissing a Cool Kangaroo. Guy lives in Brighton.
Reviews
PreS-K-A clumsy giraffe is instantly transformed into an exceptional dancer when he finds music that he loves. Gerald has tall, thin legs, which are good for standing still, but when he tries to run, his crooked knees buckle. At the annual Jungle Dance, he is laughed off the floor. A cricket tells him that "-sometimes when you're different you just need a different song." This advice enables the lonely creature to dance, much to the amazement of the other animals. The rhythmic text follows a pattern of four lines per stanza. Some rhyme and others do not. Some flow smoothly; others are forced. One line states that, "He threw his arms out sideways-." Huh! Giraffes don't have arms. Full-page color illustrations done in pen and ink and watercolor are bold and warm. Characters are whimsical and expressive, but they don't make up for the drastic and unbelievable turnaround that takes place upon hearing the cricket play his violin. For stories about individuality, stick with Helen Lester's Tacky the Penguin (1988) and Three Cheers for Tacky (1994, both Houghton) or Robert Kraus's Leo the Late Bloomer (HarperCollins, 1971) and Owliver (Prentice-Hall, 1974; o.p.).-Kathleen Simonetta, Indian Trails Public Library District, Wheeling, IL Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.
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. (Sept.) Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.
a joyful read about an outsider who finds acceptance on his own terms... there's also a simple moral about tolerance and daring to be different. -- Junior 20110701 This delightful picture book is written in lively rhyming text with vivacious illustrations. -- Junior 20090101 A rhyming story with superb illustrations... wonderfully funny. -- Independent 20040101 Witty match of rollicking rhyme and bold colour. -- Guardian 20040101 A fantastically funny and wonderfully colourful romp of a picture book. All toddlers should grow up reading this or hearing their parents read it aloud to them. -- Daily Telegraph 20090101
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Reviews
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A very bright and upbeat book, both in story and illustrations. There are lots of wonderful and beautifully illustrated African animals to look at, accompanied by an engaging story in rhyme. It encourages children to dance to the beat of their own drum!
This is one of my children's favorite books, they can empathise with the moral behind it. I have been reading it to them since they were 2. They are now 3 & 4 and still love hearing it regularly. a great investment!
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
Beautiful book. Lots of animals to look at and talk about and the story is simple but gently reinforces the value of being an individual and following your heart.
This book is a favourite of the children in my preschool cloass, and one of many they make me read over & over. Gerard thinks he can't dance & feels embarrassed in front of the rest of the animals in the jungle. Hes soon given some wonderful advice from a very wise cricket & learns he can in fact dance afterall. His friends are amazed & enjoy watching him.
This book helps teach children that being okay is different & that they can have cinfidence in themselves whether they are the same or different to their friends.
This is a great book about finding your song and dancing to it. Another book about everyone (animal) is different, but there is room for everyone. My daughter loves it. It is a fun book with bright colours and fantastic animals, everyone knows that a Chimp does the Cha Cha!
Nice kids book.
My 3 year old son enjoys it. I enjoy the message it gives that different is okay, and encourages determination and persistance in the face of negative opinions.
The illustrations are great.
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