Giraffes Can't Dance

Gerald the giraffe longs to dance, but his legs are too skinny and his neck is too long. His knees buckle whenever he tries to twirl. At the Jungle Dance, the warthogs waltz, the chimps cha-cha, and the lions tango. "Giraffes can't dance", they all jeer when it's Gerald's turn to prance. But there is one little creature who believes in Gerald. "Everything makes music", the cricket explains, "if you really want it to". So Gerald starts swaying to his own sweet tune. With light-footed rhymes and high-stepping illustrations, this tale is gentle inspiration for every child with dreams of greatness.

An inspiration.
A wonderful, light-hearted story.
A hit with young children since it was first published 10 years ago
A can-do story with lively pictures and an immensely pleasing text.
Brilliant use of colour, a continual sense of movement and high good humour all help to make this picture book richly enjoyable.
A gloriously colourful and lively book with a strong message.
Superb...a wonderfully funny book.
Extraordinary and exuberant...a terrific tale and a positive message about celebrating difference.
This rhyming poem is excellent.
Managed to capture the hearts of countless children. A modern classic.
A fantastically funny and wonderfully colourful romp
A lovely rhyming picture book about understanding differences
Lovely
This is a lovely story that incorporates several dance forms including waltz, tango, Scottish reel amd rock n roll. I have also used the story to introduce infant classes to Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata and had them playing along with it
Giraffes Can't Dance ... has been a bestseller for more than 15 years - and for good reason ... There's a very powerful message in there about daring to be different, and accepting others too
This rhyming story will delight young children and get them popping along with the rhythm
A rhyming story with superb illustrations... wonderfully funny.
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.
This delightful picture book is written in lively rhyming text with vivacious illustrations.
Witty match of rollicking rhyme and bold colour.
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.
Gerald was a tall giraffe
Whose neck was long and slim,
But his knees were awfully bandy
And his legs were rather thin.

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?

This funny, touching and triumphant story has been a much-loved family favourite for over 15 years!

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

Guy Parker-Rees'exuberant and energetic illustrations have made him a household name and one of today's bestselling children's illustrators. Notable success include Giraffes Can't Dance, a worldwide success and recently a Richard & Judy children's book choice, Spookyrumpus, winner of the Sheffield, Dundee and Portsmouth book awards, and the highly acclaimed All Afloat on Noah's Boat. Guy lives in Brighton with his wife and three young sons. Giles Andreae is the author of many top selling award-winning picture books. For Orchard, these include Rumble in the Jungle, Commotion in the Ocean, and I Love My Mummy. However, it is for the international bestseller Giraffes Can't Dance that he is best known. Giles is also the creator of Purple Ronnie, Britain's favourite stickman, and of the artist / philosopher, Edward Monkton. These two ranges of greetings cards, books and merchandise have made Giles the country's top selling living poet and an icon of contemporary popular culture. Giles lives with his wife, Victoria, a children's clothes designer, and their four young children by the river in Oxfordshire.