The bestselling creators of the hilarious Penguin Problems, Jory John and Lane Smith, turn a giraffe's problematic long neck into an enviable advantage in this fun board book.
Edward 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 behind bushes--honestly, anything you can think of. Just when he has exhausted his neck-hiding options and is about to give up, Cyrus the turtle ambles in (very slowly) and helps Edward understand that his neck has a purpose and, besides, looks excellent in a bow tie.
Along with a heavy dose of humor comes a gentle reminder about the importance of acceptance.
"A giraffe struggles to feel comfortable with his neck"--
"This book will appeal to older preschoolers as well as elementary school kids, and would lend itself perfectly to dramatic interpretation or an art lesson in sponge or block printing."—
School Library Journal, starred review
"Never one to let an opportunity for caricature go to waste, Smith stretches Edward’s neck to comical length... That it’s just right for a giraffe is a notion that Edward, not to mention young readers with self-consciousness issues of their own, will have no trouble swallowing."—
Booklist, starred review
"Lighthearted palaver by John (
The Bad Seed) flows effortlessly, and the pair’s courtly manners (“That means a great deal to me, Edward”) are sure to garner laughs as their shared dismay rings true."—
Publishers Weekly, starred review
“With this and Penguin Problems
, John is clearly setting out to catalogue animal angst continent by continent,and audiences won’t want to miss the trip.”—The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books, Review, July/August 2018 issue
“Smith’s artwork is eye-catching and expressive.”—Kirkus Reviews, Review, August 15, 2018
“Readers are afforded caring models for self-acceptance and unconditional friendship.”—The Horn Book, Review, September/October 2018 issue
