Giles Andreae

Guy Parker-Rees

Gerald the giraffe is too clumsy to dance with all the other animals at the Jungle Dance, until he finds the right music. On board pages.

Giraffes Can't Dance

Nancy Milton

Roger Roth

Retells the true story of how the first giraffe ever to come to Europe was sent by the Pasha of Egypt to the King of France in 1826, and the giraffe walked from the disembarkation point of Marseilles to Paris to see the King.

The Giraffe That Walked to Paris

Jim Averbeck

Yasmeen Ismail

The precocious Sophia and her pet giraffe Noodle learn how to look at life, love, and art in this latest installment of the series that Kirkus Reviews calls “fun, clever, and empowering.”

Sophia loves her family and her wonderful pet giraffe Noodle, so when she gets an assignment to draw something she loves, she wants to make it extra special. Taking her teacher’s advice, Sophia uses a little perspective and creates a work she calls Love.

Before she can place her masterpiece on the refrigerator, her whole family has to approve of the painting. But this is the Whitney, the Guggenheim, the Louvre of refrigerators. Can Sophia persuade them to take a chance on a new perspective, so they can see love from her point of view?

Love by Sophia

Nina Laden

Melissa Castrillón

A child and his beloved best friend go on a grand sea adventure in this magical picture book by the author and artist who created If I Had a Little Dream.

You just never know what a new day will hold if you are brave enough to find out. On one quiet afternoon, a boy and his special friend’s unexpected adventure bring joy and excitement and sights never imagined. And the best part of any adventure is returning home with stories to tell and you best friend at your side.

Yellow Kayak

Mark Iacolina

Giraffes make the best pets! Follow a little girl and boy and their pet giraffe as they spy, dress up for Halloween, and play hide-and-seek!

My Pet Giraffe

Xavier Deneux

Featuring spreads with raised shaped objects that fit into scooped cut-outs on their opposite page, this new TouchThinkLearn book offers the youngest learners an opportunity to explore in a hands-on, multisensory way. Seeing the image, tracing its shape, saying its name—these modes of perception combine to stimulate understanding of essential concepts. Discover a monkey and its jungle home by tracing the raised outline on one side, and the concave shape on the other! Related words on each spread offer parents and child a springboard for further conversation to encourage the language skills crucial to later successful learning. In a format unlike any other, these groundbreaking books translate abstract thought into tangible knowledge.

TouchThinkLearn: Wild Animals

Kirsty Paxton

Megan Lotter

A little girl’s imagination springs to life when the chalk giraffe she drew on the pavement begins talking to her. But then the fickle giraffe begins making demands, and the girl must draw surroundings to fulfill his requests…a tree, soft grass, and animal friends. But nothing seems to please him! This delightful rhyming story escalates until the girl draws a laughing giraffe companion that cheers up the grumpy giraffe at last.

The Chalk Giraffe

Shel Silverstein

From Shel Silverstein, the New York Times bestselling creator of Where the Sidewalk Ends and The Giving Tree, comes a riotous rhyming picture book about a boy and his giraffe!

Featuring rhythmic verse and iconic illustrations, A Giraffe and a Half will leave every reader, young and old, laughing until the very end. Beloved for over fifty years, this classic captures Silverstein’s signature humor and style.

If you had a giraffe and he stretched another half, you would have a giraffe and a half. But what happens if you glue a rose to the tip of his nose? Or if you used a chair to comb his hair? Join this giraffe on a rollicking and ridiculous journey that will charm readers from beginning to end.

And don’t miss Runny Babbit Returns, the new book from Shel Silverstein!

A Giraffe and a Half

Jory John

Lane Smith

Can you guess what’s making this giraffe self-conscious? Could it be . . . HIS ENORMOUS NECK?? Yes, it’s exactly that–how on earth did you figure it out? Cyrus the giraffe can’t understand why his neck is as long and bendy and, well, ridiculous as it is. No other animal has a neck this absurd. He’s tried disguising it, dressing it up, strategically hiding it behind bushes–honestly, anything you can think of, he’s tried. Just when he has exhausted his neck-hiding options and is about to throw in the towel, a turtle swoops in (well, ambles in, very slowly) and helps him understand that his neck has a purpose, and looks excellent in a bow tie.

Giraffe Problems

Sophia and Noodle, her One True Desire, are together at last. But Noodle comes with two gigantic problems, and those problems are tearing Sophia’s family apart! Can a little creative experimenting save Noodle? Or will Sophia have to bid him adieu?

Two Problems for Sophia

Sandra Magsamen

You see, being different is special and can give your spirit a lift! Being different is beautiful and magnificent. It’s what makes life a gift! We are all one of a kind. Just show the world who you are -let your you-ness shine! With a warm, inspiring message, this book will give children courage to embrace their individuality and accept others for who they are.

What If?

Gianna Marino

An entertaining and moving tribute to big brothers by the author/illustrator of Meet Me at the Moon and Following Papa’s Song. Continuing her picture book stories about family relationships, Gianna Marino introduces Little Giraffe, who adores her big brother. Set in a stunning African landscape, the story begins with a game of hide-and-seek as Little Giraffe looks for her big brother, who’s just out of her sight, but always safely nearby. As she asks the many animals she encounters on her search if they’ve seen him, it’s evident how much she admires him. He’s taller and faster and braver than her, she tells them. But as the search continues, the other animals insist that Little Giraffe is tall, and fast, and brave, too . . . and best of all, she has a wonderful older brother who looks out for her!

Just Like My Brother

Angela  Dominguez

When two giraffe friends find a baby ostrich, they have some questions. Is baby ostrich hungry? Shy? Tired? Ostrich saysno! So how does she feel? Friendship awaits in this book about feelings, expressed both in English and in Spanish.

How Are You?/ Cómo Estás

Laura James

This vibrant, fun illustrated chapter book follows a clever flamingo sleuth and is perfect for fans of CatStronauts and The Bad Guys.

In a small town on the banks of Lake Laloozee lives the world’s greatest flamingo detective. His name is Fabio. He’s not tall or strong, but slight and pink. And he’s very, very clever.

It’s the middle of the summer, so Fabio and his associate Gilbert are looking forward to a relaxing vacation—taking a journey on the fastest train in the world, the Ostrich Express! But just after the conductor calls, “All aboard!”, a very expensive ruby necklace disappears without a trace. And Fabio can never stay away from a whodunit. . . Can Fabio and Gilbert use their snooping skills to solve the case before the train reaches its destination?

This delightful 2-color illustrated chapter book from Laura James, author of the critically acclaimed Pug series, will have animal lovers and would-be detectives laughing out loud.

Fabio The World's Greatest Flamingo Detective: Mystery on the Ostrich Express

Catherine Rayner

Abigail the giraffe loves counting. One day, she tries to count the spots on her friend Ladybug, but the little bug scurries away. Abigail tries to count Zebra’s stripes and Cheetah’s spots, but her friends just won’t stand still! After several more unsuccessful attempts, Abigail begins to wonder if there’s anything at all that she can count. Then, she has an idea….

Abigail

Lauren St John

After a fire kills her parents, eleven-year-old Martine must leave England to live with her grandmother on a wildlife game reserve in South Africa, where she befriends a mythical white giraffe.

The White Giraffe

Anne Louchard

How does a giraffe sleep with such an amazingly long neck? Does it wrap itself around a tree? Does it curl up on the ground, or stretch out like a hammock? In this hilarious lift-the-flap book, each idea is illustrated with great visual humor. Whether the giraffe likes sleeping this way, that way, or in some way only a child could imagine, children will love these clever variations.

This Way, That Way

Jodie Parachini

Richard Smythe

All giraffes, even baby Gisele, know that the juiciest leaves are on the tops of the trees. But how does she reach them? No matter how she stretches or twists, those tasty leaves are just too high. A strong story with a light touch, and colorful art with extra touches of humor, appeals to both children and adults.

Half a Giraffe?

Dianne Hofmeyr

Jane Ray

This is the astonishing true story of Zeraffa, a giraffe who was sent as a gift from Egypt to France in 1826. A young boy, Atir, takes care of Zeraffa on her epic journey and the sailors sing songs as she gazes down at them. In France, Atir leads her through the countryside, and thousands of people marvel at Zeraffa. Paris falls in love with Zeraffa. The King builds her a special house in the Jardin des Plantes. On warm nights, the young princess visits, while Atir whispers stories to Zeraffa of a hot land far away. The amazing story by an award-winning author of a giraffe’ s extraordinary voyage from Africa to Paris.

Zeraffa Giraffa

Zehra Hicks

A bold, funny romp with zingy and colourful artwork from the award-winning Zehra Hicks.Giraffe and Frog are going to the beach… but where is it, again? Giraffe is convinced of the route and sets off confidently, striding ahead of Frog… but when they arrive, Frog knows that’s not the beach! Where’s the water? Where’s the sand? Can they EVER find the right way?Giraffe and Frog is a hilarious summertime caper that children will love, complete with Zehra Hicks’ trademark fresh, fizzing, carefree illustrations. It will strike a particular chord with anyone who’s ever argued with a friend - especially about directions!

Giraffe and Frog

Viviane Elbee

Danni Gowdy

When the snow begins to fall and your giraffe takes to the slopes, a rollicking adventure ensues! Your giraffe wants to learn how to ski—but not on the bunny hill. She wants to go down the big scary slope! Enjoy this riotous journey as the narrator tries to rein their giraffe in—and learns something about courage along the way.

Teach Your Giraffe to Ski

Emily Fox

This hilarious, brightly illustrated chapter book starring Fabio the flamingo detective and his sidekick Gilbert the giraffe is perfect for fans of CatStronauts and The Bad Guys. In a small town on the banks of Lake Laloozee lives the world’s greatest flamingo detective. His name is Fabio. He’s not tall or strong, but slight and pink. And he’s very, very clever. When Fabio and his giraffe associate Gilbert drop in to the Hotel Royale for a relaxing glass of lemonade (pink, naturally), Fabio is persuaded to judge the hotel’s talent contest. But when the most promising contestant–Julia the jazz-singing hippopotamus–goes missing, Fabio must put his thinking cap back on and solve the mystery! Don’t miss these other books from Laura James! The Pug series Captain Pug Cowboy Pug Safari Pug

Fabio The World's Greatest Flamingo Detective: The Case of the Missing Hippo

Jessica Spanyol

This engaging story celebrates the joy of learning to read.  

“Carlo reads to Crackers the cat.  
Carlo reads with his friend Nevil.  
Carlo reads to a baby.”  
Carlo the giraffe likes reading—and wherever he goes, Carlo reads everything he sees: at his house, on the street, in the park, at the market, and, of course, in the library. Jessica Spanyol’s simple story and cleverly labeled illustrations invite us to point, say, and read through the day with Carlo—and her bright, fun artwork will appeal to readers and nonreaders alike.

Carlo Likes Reading

Hello! ¡Hola! Some people speak Spanish. Some people speak English. Although we may not speak the same language, some things, like friendship, are universal! Follow two young giraffes as they meet, celebrate, and become friends. This bilingual tale will have readers eager to meet new friends and amigos.

How Do You Say? / ¿Cómo Se Dice?

Donald Robertson

Mitford is a giraffe.
But not your everyday, live-on-the-savannah giraffe.

Mitford lives in the city.
But not your everyday, filled-with-people city.

This city is filled with animals.
Animals who like to dress up,
especially the animals who work at COVER magazine.

Mitford would do ANYTHING to work there.
But first Mitford must prove himself.

Can Mitford survive the Fashion Zoo?!

Mitford at the Fashion Zoo

Doreen Cronin

Scott Menchin

Newbie is a Rescue Bunny trainee.She has passed the Physical Fitness Test. She has passed the Emergency Rescue Roping Test. She has even passed the Blind Taste Test. Now it’s time for the toughest Rescue Bunny test of all . . . the Field Test!It involves a scared giraffe in a sinking mudhole, some hungry hyenas, and dance moves that sneak up on you.Will Newbie have what it takes? The right stuff? Can she handle the truth? One thing is for sure . . . she will have you at hello.

Rescue Bunnies

In the tradition of Shel Silverstein’s The Giving Tree, a generous giraffe gives away all of his apples to his hungry friends in this winning picture book that begs to be read aloud. Poor starry giraffe: every time he reaches for a yummy red apple from a tall tree, one of his hungry friends comes along and the generous giraffe shares the treat. Just when you think he has nothing left to eat for himself, a turn of the page shows otherwise: the starry giraffe is at an apple orchard and there are apples and trees galore! A disarmingly delightful debut picture book from Andrew Bergmann, an accomplished New York based artist and storyteller, The Starry Giraffe puts a surprising twist on a classic story.

Starry Giraffe

Margret Rey

The original Curious George, which has been in print for more than fifty years, is now available in an oversized format, perfect for group sharing and reading aloud. Every child will be able to see George’s impish antics when his big picture book is used during storytime.

Curious George Cecily G and 9 Monkeys CL

Giraffe is bored, as usual. He’d love a friend to share things with. So he writes a letter and sends it as far as possible across the other side of the horizon. There he finds a pen pal–Penguin.  Giraffe knows nothing about penguins and his letters are full of questions. Where is a penguin’s neck? Can a penguin fly? Penguin answers as best he can.  But no one expects what happens when the pen pals come face to face at last.  Yours Sincerely, Giraffe is a funny tale of mistaken assumptions and friendship from afar.

Yours Sincerely, Giraffe

Adrienne Kennaway

As children lift each flap of this lovely oversized book, they meet some of the exotic animals of the African savannah and learn a little about them. For example, the book describes the special role of the Honeyguide bird, who leads animals to bees’ nests and shares the honey, which the bird cannot obtain on its own because of its short beak.

Baby Giraffe

Ross Burach

Grab the best seat in the house with this funny, touching picture book about a giraffe who keeps being mistaken for a chair!From the acclaimed author-illustrator of There’s a Giraffe in My Soup comes a curious tale about finding one’s courage and standing up for oneself. Full of vibrant and playful illustrations and hilariously absurd logic, kids will want to read it again and again.–Literary Hoots

I Am Not a Chair!

Toni Yuly

Jelly Bean the giraffe loves her forest and her friends–even if she’s too tall to play on the forest floor. She also loves napping with her head in the trees. But when Mama Bird decides Jelly Bean is the perfect place for her nest, the giraffe suddenly has a big responsibility as she waits for the baby birds to hatch. Can Jelly Bean be patient and still enough, day and night? Yes, with a little help from her friends.Working with collage and torn tissue paper, Toni Yuly brings charm and humor to her bold, colorful artwork in this gentle story about friendship, The Jelly Bean Tree.

Jelly Bean Tree

Carly Madden

Laurie Stansfield

The safari animals are hungry! Choose what to feed each pop-up animal…  

In Banana!, children are presented with a series of bright and funny wild animals, each with their mouth open (a v-fold pop-up), eagerly awaiting a tasty treat. The child can choose a ‘dangly’ food item (hanging from the spine of the book) they will feed to each animal. The hungry giraffe might want to munch on a crisp, green leaf but wouldn’t it be funny to give her monkey’s tasty banana instead? What would monkey say about that?  

This delightful series of preschool books encourages young children to engage with the book and converse with the parent or carer, form connections between the animal characters and what they like to eat, and to practice hand-eye coordination through play. They can choose to either pick the correct food to give each animal, or can engage in ‘silly play’ by offering knowingly inappropriate foods to each character.

Banana!: Feed the Hungry Animals

Roald Dahl

Quentin Blake

From the bestselling author of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and The BFG! 

The Ladderless Window-Cleaning Company certainly doesn’t. They don’t need a pail, either, because they have a pelican with a bucket-sized beak. With a monkey to do the washing and Billy as their manager, this business is destined for success. Now they have their big break—a chance to clean all 677 windows of the Hampshire House, owned by the richest man in all of England! That’s exciting enough, but along the way there are surprises and adventures beyond their wildest window-washing dreams.

The Giraffe and the Pelly and Me

Elizabeth Lilly

No, no, NO! Geraldine is NOT moving. Not to this new town where she’s the only giraffe. Not to this new school where she has no friends. Not to this new place, where everyone only knows her as That Giraffe Girl. But soon Geraldine meets Cassie, a girl who is just as much of an outcast as she is, and as time goes by, she realizes that being yourself and making one really good, unusual friend can help someone who literally stands out fit right in. Together, Geraldine and Cassie play by their own rules.

Geraldine

DK Publishing

Where did Sophie go? Help your little reader find their favorite toy in Sophie la girafe: Hide and Seek. This chunky, beautifully illustrated board book features six easy-to-grab tabs and flaps that keep children entertained as they play hide and seek with Sophie and her friends around her house.

With more than fifty million sold, Sophie la girafe, the wildly popular toy from France, is a fixture in nurseries all over the world — and now baby’s favorite toy is baby’s favorite story collection.

Sophie La Girafe: Hide and Seek

In a simple storybook adventure, curious Carlo discovers the joys of the library with the help of a gentle (if toothy) librarian.  

Carlo the giraffe is making his first visit to the new library. “Wow!” he says when he sees all the books, the colorful posters, and especially the chairs with wheels. But Carlo is a little afraid of the librarian, Mrs. Chinca, with her sharp teeth and claws, until he learns how much she loves books. With bright illustrations and a cheery text, Jessica Spanyol offers preschoolers a spirited introduction to the library — and a really nice librarian.

Top 10 Giraffes Books