Giraffe and Bird Together Again (Giraffe and Bird #4)

Bender's sharp wit, onomatopoeic language, and cartoon-style illustrations capture Giraffe's exasperation, determination, and terror...Bender includes a map of the locations Giraffe visits in his odyssey; inset pictures of the new animals in this book, a bush baby and an ibex, along with their Latin, scientific names offer bonus STEM material....A sequel that delivers. 

PreS-Gr 1--Giraffe does not like to try new things like his friend Bird does. But Giraffe moves out of his comfort zone when he notices that Bird is missing and decides to follow the feathers. In the end though, it is Bird and some other friends who rescue Giraffe who has landed in quicksand. A strength of this title is the action verbs and rich vocabulary that is introduced. For example, craggy is used to describe the mountain Giraffe climbs, his journey is perilous. The text and illustrations also work well together. For example it says, "Giraffe is determined. He leans forward, digs in his hooves, and stomps all the way to the top." In the illustration Giraffe has a serious look on his face. His belly and neck have vines wrapped around them as he marches up the steep mountain. This title lends itself to discussion about friendship and being open to try new things. VERDICT A strong choice for a preschool storytime or a one-on-one sharing.--Robin Sofge, Prince William Public Library System, VA

Savor for the warmth of the illustrations, the fun, and the read-aloud possibilities.

Praise for Giraffe and Bird Together Again

2020 Forest of Reading Blue Spruce Award nominee

2019 IODE Jean Throop Book Award shortlist

2019 SYRCA Shining Willow Award finalist

2019 CCBC Best Books for Kids & Teens selection

"Rating: E...[A]n exciting and warm tale. Friendship is at the heart of the story and the sentiment is worthwhile and very wise in its depiction. The charming lush illustrations are created with acrylic and coloured pencils and endued with great humour."—Resource Links

"The illustrations and story are wonderful....This book is around a first-grade reading level, but the pictures are sure to delight any page-turner. It is a wonderful book for adventurers and those who are more cautious: it will encourage and motivate both types."—Tulsa Book Review

"Bender's acrylic and coloured pencil artwork is an essential part of the book's success, and, as in the previous Giraffe and Bird books, the illustrations' contents not only reflect the characters' emotions but add to the book's written text....Bender provides foreshadowing to the contents of Giraffe and Bird Together Again via a map that occupies part of the copyright page and its facing page. There, young readers can see the route that Giraffe will follow in his quest to find Bird as well as learn the names of the two other African animals that will make cameo experiences in Bender's illustrations....Highly Recommended."—CM Magazine

"Rating: 5...Beautiful illustrations with acrylic and colored pencil. A fun lively sequel to Giraffe and Bird....A wonderful map at the beginning of the book depicts the route Giraffe takes to find Bird and the animals he encounters along the way."—Youth Services Book Review

"A delightfully entertaining story from first page to last, Giraffe and Bird Together Again is unreservedly recommended for family, daycare center, preschool, elementary school, and community library picture book collections."—Midwest Book Review

"Young readers will cheer on Giraffe as he conquers clinging vines, rocky slopes and even deadly quicksand to rescue Bird. A lesson in friendship and bravery, Bender's evocative illustrations give a feeling of endless yellow plains and hot red days."—Winnipeg Free Press

"One of the best elements of Giraffe and Bird Together Again is the artwork. Rebecca Bender's use of colour to place the reader in the forest, on the mountain and looking out over the plain is extraordinary....But, of course, it's her characters that draw the reader back every time."—CanLit for Little Canadians

"An engaging story full of adventure, bursts of surprise, humour, and highlighting a sweet endearment between friends, fans of Rebecca Bender's previous Giraffe and Bird stories will likely adore this, as may readers looking for a new and vibrant story focusing on friendship and courageousness."—Fab Book Reviews

"This delightful picture book is part of a series featuring Giraffe and Bird as companions in various escapades and situations....The map at the front of the book names these animals for the reader, and shows the distance that Giraffe had to follow to find Bird. The illustrations are great, and I loved how Giraffe and Bird supported each other."—Canadian Bookworm