Giraffes Can't Dance

My 10 month old sits and listens to this story. She loves the pictures.

Came promptly. Grandchildren love it.

Even though this story is now twenty years old, I wasn't already aware of it. It came along after my childhood and I didn't come across it when my first child was born (2011). It is a very nice story, written in rhyme format, as a lot of picture books are, and thankfully the rhyme is written well. Personally I don't think the story stands out especially compared to any others available. There's such a variety these days that most of the books you find in the shops or the library are of similar quality. However, that's not to say that this is a bad book, so I'm not marking it down, I just don't think it stands out as well as the likes of Julia Donaldson.

It is worth pointing out at the start that there is nothing special about this 20th Anniversary version of the classic 'Giraffes Can't Dance'. It has a shiny gold cover. That is it. It is otherwise the same book. So if you can get the other version cheaper then go for that as you'll not be missing anything. The paperback book itself is of good quality, with thick pages and bold colours throughout. The story is as good as always, with Gerald the Giraffe struggling to dance but eventually finding his feet - a classic that is standing the test of time.

This is my little boys favourite book, he has a big smile everytime we read it

This is a reprint with a sparkly gold cover. If you don’t have the original blue covered book this is a gorgeous story of finding yourself and embracing your own magic and interests even if people laugh at you. The giraffe wants to dance but everyone laughs at the idea of a giraffe dancing and begins to believe them until they see the amazing new style giraffe creates dancing from the heart. A lovely gift or one to keep but you don’t need to repurchase if you have the original cover.

Gerald is a tall, somewhat clumsy giraffe and he would love to go to the jungle dance but everyone knows that giraffes can't dance and they tell him so. However, when he meets a friendly cricket who encourages him to listen for his own music he discovers maybe he can dance after all. This is a lovely story with beautiful illustrations. It has a simple message of listening for your own music and dancing your own dance. It's a story that children can read for themselves but it's also a good one for adults to read at bedtime. This anniversary edition comes with a special gold cover - I almost can't believe it's been out for 20 years. If you are buying this for the story be aware that this 20th Anniversary paperback edition with gold cover is currently 5.46, whilst the standard version with blue cover is 4.00. If you are buying it because it is the 20th Anniversary edition, be aware the only difference between this and the standard version is the cover colour, you may want to consider the limited edition hardback with slipcover if it is a particular childhood favourite. Overall - lovely bedtime story that has stood the test of time.

A lovely story about just being yourself. Its well written and nice to read with the kids. Its a large book very well illustrated and a nice moral story at the end. Words are not too complex to follow for young readers its a lovely book to read together and do a bit of question and answer at the end.