Don't Laugh at Giraffe (Giraffe and Bird #3)

Although Bird and Giraffe are constantly annoying each other, "you rarely see them apart." When the odd couple, first seen in Giraffe and Bird, heads to the pond for a drink, Bird joins in with a zebra, flamingo, and hippo to laugh at Giraffe as he awkwardly tries to bend down and reach the water--eventually falling in. But Bird turns contrite when a humiliated Giraffe leaves the pond and conspires to include Giraffe in some good-natured laughter. Bender paints the animals against a bright savanna backdrop, emphasizing their emotional ups and downs with exaggerated facial expressions. The conversational text gracefully delivers a message about kindness and having a sense of humor. Ages 4-up. (Aug.)

PreS-Gr 1—In this sequel to Giraffe and Bird (Dancing Cat Bks., 2010), the sparring duo continue their unlikely friendship. Rowdy Bird instigates trouble by waking Giraffe with his loudest, chirpiest song. This results in a race that causes them to stumble over one another, making them thirsty. Bird has no trouble joining the zebra, hippo, and flamingo in the pond to cool off, but the low water level makes it difficult for the giraffe to reach down for a drink. His attempts to squat by the edge of the pond without getting his hooves wet elicit guffaws and cackles from the others. When he falls in, their mocking laughter embarrasses the giraffe so much that he slinks away and drinks from a mud puddle. Feeling sorry, the bird comes up with an idea. When they return to the pond, Bird acts so silly that the other animals laugh along-even Giraffe, who is no longer upset. Although the friends reconcile, it is unclear how this helps Giraffe overcome his fear of getting wet. The bright illustrations of acrylic on texturized illustration board are inset with small, square pictures that aptly convey the animals' expressions. The text includes lots of action words and sound effects to move the story along, but the lack of apology from the animals who tease the giraffe and the inexplicable resolution to his fear leave the story lacking.—Martha Simpson, Stratford Library Association, CT

About Don't Laugh at Giraffe

2013 OLA Blue Spruce Award runner-up

2014 Rainforest of Reading Award shortlist

2012 Resource Links The Year's Best selection

STARRED REVIEW Don't Laugh at Giraffe is a warm, gentle tale with a good message and plenty of funny moments, making it a great choice for sharing. After all, the story reminds us, it's always better to laugh with a friend than at one.—Quill & Quire Starred Review

Young readers will be able to internalize the lesson of empathy well, as it is so subtle; Bender does not preach at all, but merely shows her readers - largely with her beautiful illustrations - one option in this social situation.—Resource Links

[Bender] knows when a picture, rather than words, should carry the story...A fun read, but one which still speaks to the meaning of friendship...Highly Recommended.—CM Magazine

Author and illustrator Rebecca Bender has fashioned a delightful children's picture book for kids ages 4 through 7. It is one thing for people to laugh with one another in unison and quite another thing to laugh at others. Seeing his friend humiliated and unhappy brings out Bird's caring and creativity. Don't Laugh at Giraffe covers both the good and the bad sides of laughter.—Spirituality & Practice

The relationships in Don't Laugh at Giraffe cleverly reflect the often-confusing relationships kids have with other kids. Figuring out how to be with others is tricky for children, and they will likely welcome the conversation the book can inspire. Bender's illustrations are gorgeous, colourful and lively.—Open Book Canada

In this book, Rebecca examines the delicate nature of embarrassment and friendship...[C]hildren will go through many situations with their friends that they will have to grapple with and find solutions for. Having books on hand that show this as a normal process in friendships will support them in these journeys, and open the conversations with thinking about how to solve their own problems in a creative and positive way.—Toronto Public Library

Bold acrylics fill the pages...[Bender] creates personalities with expressive visages (hard to do on a small bird) and morphologies, with lessons to teach and learn. Recognizing that we're all a little bit Giraffe and a little Bird makes them even more endearing.—CanLit for LittleCanadians

The artwork is so expressive and appealing to the book's young audience...the author makes some sparkling decisions about word choice, encouraging an expressive and engaging shared reading.—Sal's Fiction Addiction