Giraffe Problems by Jory John, Lane Smith
Published by Random House Books for Young Readers on September 25th 2018
ISBN: 1524772038
Pages: 42
Goodreads

Giraffe Problems by Jory John and illustrated by Lane Smith is a tale of a giraffe who learns to accept his long neck with the help of an understanding turtle. Like the author’s and illustrator’s earlier Penguin Problems, this work is quirky. The illustrations are done in quiet tones of browns and neutrals much like a giraffe’s natural colors with olive greens for the turtle. There is one fold-up page that emphasizes the giraffe’s height. Giraffe longs to have a neck that is like everyone else; the turtle feels limited by his physical shortcomings too. Together they learn to like themselves and enjoy their new friendship. This is a quietly humorous and unexpectedly sweet tale of two friends who gain a new perspective on life and on themselves. Recommended for children ages 4 – 8. Margy Soule, Coffin Elementary School, Brunswick, Maine.